Identity - the four Nations

10 important questions on Identity - the four Nations

What are the identity markers for the Scottish people?

Several aspects of public life, such as education, legal and welfare systems, are organised separately and differently from the rest of Britain. They  have their own banknotes (but with same currency). Scottish dialect is very different from 'English' (gaelic language). They have many symbols of Scottishness: Kilts, tartans, bagpipes, whiskey, people attending a 'Burns supper' , named after Robbert Burns, theScottish national poët, where they wear kilts, sing traditionals, eat 'haggis' and dance. Sir Walter Scott promoted the feeling of pride for the Scottish people. St. Andrew is the patron and flag is blue with a white cross.

What are the constant reminders of the distinctiveness for people living in Scotland?

  1. Education and the legal welfare systems are organized separately and differently from the rest of Britain. They even print their own banknotes.
  2. The way of speaking English, the dialect Scots is spoken in everyday life by most of the working classes in the lowlands.
  3. Many symbols of Scottishness which are well-known throughout Britain.

What is celebrated in Scotland on the 25th of January?

Burns Supper
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Is there something like an 'English identity' in Britain.?

there is hardly a distinction between being British and being English, but it is becoming stronger with younger people for instance at football and rugby matches where they wave the cross of st. George and sing 'Land of Hope and Glory'.

What are 'Burns suppers'?

A party where they read from the work of the 18th century poet Robert Burns, wear kilts, sing traditional songs, dance traditional dances and eat haggis.

What are the two major immigrant groups?

Black Caribbean
Asians

Why does the large minority of the people in Wales not consider themselves as Welsh?

In the 19th century, large numbers of Irish, Scottish and English people went to find work there, and today many English people still make their homes in Wales or have holiday houses there. 

As a result, a feeling of loyalty to Wales is often similar in nature to the fairly weak loyalties to particular geographical areas found throughout England.

What is the most important symbol of Welsh identity?

It is the Welsh language. Everybody in Wales can speak English, but it is not everyone's first language. 

What is the strongest identity marker for the Welsh people? Any evidence?

The Welsh language. For about 20% of the people Welsh is the mother tongue, but they can also speak English. Children learn Welsh in school. There are Welsh newspapers a TV channel and all public notices and signs are written in both Welsh and English. Owain Glyndwr (Owen Glendower) is a Welsh hero who withstood English domination in the fifteenth century for five years. Since 2000 he is seen as a national hero in Wales, with a statue in Corwen. Other identity markers: the Eisteddfod (a festival of literature, music and performance) and singer Tom Jones

The English have made little distinction in their minds between English and British. In what or which is this reflected?


This confusion is still be found in the press and in public life, e.g. at sport games:
  • The Scottish, the Irish and the Welsh have there own song <> the English have God save the Queen
  • English supporters used to wave the Union Jack, now they wave the cross of St. George

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