Perceptions of the UK

[bujin]

I'm trying to learn a bit of Gàidhlig (Scots Gaelic) and some of the pronunciations are just not logical for an English speaker from the central belt like me.

I wonder if anyone pronounce the names Ruairidh and Siobhan?

I believe the first one is somewhat like "Rory", isn't it? At least, that's how the commentators pronounce Ruaridh Jackson's (the Scottish rugby union player) name.

---------- Post added at 09:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 PM ----------

That's one of the nice things about the Welsh language. The pronunciation is entirely phoenetic. Once you learn the rules, that's it. Everything follows it. It's not like English where you have a different pronunciation for the same letter patterns all over the place.

Using examples from other words in Engish, you can make 'ghoti' be prounounced 'fish' and 'ghoughpteighbteau' be pronounced 'potato'.

Indeed. Although it IS fun listening to foreigners trying to pronounce both the "ll" and the "ch" sounds! :lol:

You just have to remember to duck, or not be standing directly in front of them, otherwise you get showered in phlegm!

 

[agentgonzo]

Indeed. Although it IS fun listening to foreigners trying to pronounce both the "ll" and the "ch" sounds! :lol:

One of my fun pass-times is to email questions in to podcast shows pretending that I come from Dwygyfylchi (which is just around the corner from my parents) and see how they pronounce it in the podcast! So far I've only been successful with Astronomycast.

 

[Scruce]

A video that explains everything:

Venn diagram showing the political sections of the UK, (Click to enlarge):

---------- Post added at 14:22 ---------- Previous post was at 14:14 ----------

And one about the history of our flag:

 

[GoForPDI]

''Slave driving colonial masters'' hehe

 

[Scruce]

How Scotland joined Great Britain:

---------- Post added at 14:32 ---------- Previous post was at 14:25 ----------

''Slave driving colonial masters'' hehe

"Rural yokels who spend too much time with their sheep" hehe

 

[GoForPDI]

Fair play

Well, the union came about through the Scottish King who ruled England too, so Scotland never ''joined'' the union, it was one of the co-founders.

There isn't much evidence of that nowadays....

I got an email from UCAS (UK wide body which regulates applications to University) today, it answered some 'myths' regarding University acceptance, and that my Tracker wouldn't be updated with information on the midnight of English A Levels results day, but later on.

Now, I didn't sit English A Levels, I sat the Scottish equivalent. And you would think that a UK WIDE body would acknowledge that when sending emails to prospective students from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales..

And also, another thing to do with Universities and qualifications. Every Scottish University prospectus provides a guide for entry requirements with Scottish grades and their counterparts from the other home nations. Every English University prospectus that I read only gave entry requirements in A Levels, which for me is not useful at all because the English and Scottish qualifications counterparts are both very different in terms of grades achieved, due to Scotlands more ''two-tiered'' approach.

[/rant]

I must stress that I have no dislike for the English, even though it sounds like it, but I dislike the English-centred system that the country runs on.

If you are American, imagine being in Florida, but getting TV channels and news that comes from North Carolina.

 

[Codz]

Fair play

Well, the union came about through the Scottish King who ruled England too, so Scotland never ''joined'' the union, it was one of the co-founders.

There isn't much evidence of that nowadays....

I got an email from UCAS (UK wide body which regulates applications to University) today, it answered some 'myths' regarding University acceptance, and that my Tracker wouldn't be updated with information on the midnight of English A Levels results day, but later on.

Now, I didn't sit English A Levels, I sat the Scottish equivalent. And you would think that a UK WIDE body would acknowledge that when sending emails to prospective students from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales..

And also, another thing to do with Universities and qualifications. Every Scottish University prospectus provides a guide for entry requirements with Scottish grades and their counterparts from the other home nations. Every English University prospectus that I read only gave entry requirements in A Levels, which for me is not useful at all because the English and Scottish qualifications counterparts are both very different in terms of grades achieved, due to Scotlands more ''two-tiered'' approach.

[/rant]

I must stress that I have no dislike for the English, even though it sounds like it, but I dislike the English-centred system that the country runs on.

If you are American, imagine being in Florida, but getting TV channels and news that comes from North Carolina.

Actually, ironicly I'm in Georgia and many channels come from Los Angeles and New York.

 

[tomthenose]

fit likey! i was born of english stock but raised in scotland, i love it here mostly because from aberdeen i can be in amoungst the mountains in an hour or two.
not really that relevant to the chat before but: in the dialect spoken in rural aberdeenshire (doric) the word 'guff' means both fart and englishman. its also the about the worst thing you can call someone and not because of its flatulant connotations! that should tell you everything you need to know about the union!

 

[GoForPDI]

Down here, 'Guff' is used as a word to describe something negatively, like ''that pie wis guff''.

Must have been brought down here by people from the North East and been diluted to serve as a general negative word!

 

[PennyBlack]

If you've trailed into the union part, my perceptions of the British union is, by it's own division with devolution, invalid and the term "United Kingdom" is in name only. We are in a state of fragmentation prior to total intergration into the European Union.
It's hard to percieve our Britain in this transitional state at the moment, but I can percieve the state of Britain tomorrow with more confidence...

A people of no standing suffering osterity, little prospects, divided by 160 languages, dozens of cultures, conflicting religions, class and under foriegn rule and subject to subsidiary with our elected Prime Ministerial position, devolveing to that of regional governer.
Already we see through osterity, the unfortunate cracks that prosperity papers over where social divisions are concerned. I could rattle all night, but won't.

What ever your perceptions of this Island is, percieve again.

 

[T.Neo]

:facepalm:

I didn't know that countries in the EU cease to exist. :uhh:

Also, who is divided by 160 languages? There are 160 languages in Britain alone? Wow. I never knew that. Or are you talking about Europe? Is Europe forcing you to learn over 100 languages? Is it trying to make you install cento-lingual street-signs? Or are you just unhappy that the EU promotes lingual diversity? Do you want to force people to speak one language? Which language?

How would you feel if your language was only spoken by a minority of speakers and someone wanted you to learn Esperanto or Na'vi instead? :lol:

What is wrong with many cultures? Or many religions? Are you going to force people to practice only a single culture or religion? Which culture or religion is that going to be? Are you going to try and convert the state into a religious organisation of some sort?


Sorry, but where I live, we have plenty of diversity. We have Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and practitioners of traditional beliefs. We have the cultures of the English and the Afrikaners and the Zulu and the Xhosa and the Ndebele. We have a total of 11 official languages.

We have a lot of problems, but none of them stem from embracing diversity.

 

[PennyBlack]

:facepalm:I didn't know that countries in the EU cease to exist. :uhh:

You may slap your forhead mate, but how did you read that post... :facepalm:
75 percent of British law is also EU law. We may be called England, Britain ect., but our soveriegn rights are being erroded. The European Union can take a long walk off a short pear m8. I want a referendum to get out of it.

Also, who is divided by 160 languages? There are 160 languages in Britain alone? Wow. I never knew that. Or are you talking about Europe? Is Europe forcing you to learn over 100 languages? Is it trying to make you install cento-lingual street-signs? Or are you just unhappy that the EU promotes lingual diversity? Do you want to force people to speak one language? Which language?

How would you feel if your language was only spoken by a minority of speakers and someone wanted you to learn Esperanto or Na'vi instead? :lol:

We have people from all over the world settle here. Yes we have many many people who's primary language isn't English. I work with people and half of them I have to use my hands to picture draw while trying communicate with verbally. I find it a challenge. A relief when they catch on. And if they settle here in Britain then yes, I would expect them to learn English. It's common sense to communicate with the whole and is respectful. It's also cheaper for our cash strapped economy. Translators are expensive and the EU doesn't subsidise us m8.

What is wrong with many cultures? Or many religions? Are you going to force people to practice only a single culture or religion? Which culture or religion is that going to be? Are you going to try and convert the state into a religious organisation of some sort?

Here you go... your perception of my post is that you think I think everything is wrong and everyone must convert to ythe majority. Here, the majority is irrelivent to the equality of all. But people fail to understand human nature don't they. We English took our culture, language and religions all over the world. We clumped into groups and cannot expect otherwise from those comming here and I certainly wouldn't deprive them of their heritage, roots, culture or language. But they clump together here too. In groups of the same culture, religion and language. These clumps or groups band together for unity, community and comfort within an enviroment, human nature. Osterity causes many pains that trigger several groups to conflict. Already we do suffer from religious problems and have had racial riots. I see these divides continueing and do fear what lies ahead because we are no longer able to cater with the expectations that some have from a first world nation and from those who are intollerate against loseing out on resources for people they don't recognise as niegbours.

Sorry, but where I live, we have plenty of diversity. We have Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and practitioners of traditional beliefs. We have the cultures of the English and the Afrikaners and the Zulu and the Xhosa and the Ndebele. We have a total of 11 official languages.

We have a lot of problems, but none of them stem from embracing diversity.

Bully for you m8. I live in country that actually prides itself on diversity, being multi-lingual. Being multi-cultural. You automaticaly think that because I point out future problems that will exist in tomorrows Britain, I'm against it and think I want to clone everybody. Typical hysterical conclusion from pro euro lefties.

I may have a dark perception of Britain tomorrow, but I'm selling reality, not tourism.

 

[Codz]

You may slap your forhead mate, but how did you read that post... :facepalm:
75 percent of British law is also EU law. We may be called England, Britain ect., but our soveriegn rights are being erroded. The European Union can take a long walk off a short pear m8. I want a referendum to get out of it.



We have people from all over the world settle here. Yes we have many many people who's primary language isn't English. I work with people and half of them I have to use my hands to picture draw while trying communicate with verbally. I find it a challenge. A relief when they catch on. And if they settle here in Britain then yes, I would expect them to learn English. It's common sense to communicate with the whole and is respectful. It's also cheaper for our cash strapped economy. Translators are expensive and the EU doesn't subsidise us m8.



Here you go... your perception of my post is that you think I think everything is wrong and everyone must convert to ythe majority. Here, the majority is irrelivent to the equality of all. But people fail to understand human nature don't they. We English took our culture, language and religions all over the world. We clumped into groups and cannot expect otherwise from those comming here and I certainly wouldn't deprive them of their heritage, roots, culture or language. But they clump together here too. In groups of the same culture, religion and language. These clumps or groups band together for unity, community and comfort within an enviroment, human nature. Osterity causes many pains that trigger several groups to conflict. Already we do suffer from religious problems and have had racial riots. I see these divides continueing and do fear what lies ahead because we are no longer able to cater with the expectations that some have from a first world nation and from those who are intollerate against loseing out on resources for people they don't recognise as niegbours.



Bully for you m8. I live in country that actually prides itself on diversity, being multi-lingual. Being multi-cultural. You automaticaly think that because I point out future problems that will exist in tomorrows Britain, I'm against it and think I want to clone everybody. Typical hysterical conclusion from pro euro lefties.

I may have a dark perception of Britain tomorrow, but I'm selling reality, not tourism.

You think there are many languages in britain? Try and count how many are in the US.

 

[PennyBlack]

What, is this competition all of a sudden... Let's see how many there are, to qualify for a Star Trek mentality badge.!

Irrelevent of how many, my post was my perception of Britain tomorrow. A mess. It isn't a far right propaganda statement, but a perception. An input to the thread based on what I see and feel.

Owe and for the record, I have mixed family members of both race and religion. But I don't use them to bolster my loveing humanitarian stance. Until now of course.

---------- Post added at 00:34 ---------- Previous post was at 00:02 ----------

I can also be positive.

Our British Union has been lead by many people from different areas of the United Kingdom. We've had Scots on the thrown and in the Premier position of power to govern. It's nothing new, but we've played by the rules, to the best part. We recently managed, in the last one hundred years to go one step further in our Star Trek style unity by creating universal standards in social care, policeing, medical and education across Britain as a whole whilst through our unified history, keeping other peoples cultures and languages alive. Before the EU I'll note. It took time and we've had our troubles, yes. But we have proven successful in our union on this Island and I for one don't want to see it go.

It would be interesting to read what those who hate being called "Guff" have to say on the matter.

 

[T.Neo]

You may slap your forhead mate, but how did you read that post...
75 percent of British law is also EU law. We may be called England, Britain ect., but our soveriegn rights are being erroded. The European Union can take a long walk off a short pear m8. I want a referendum to get out of it.

Er, no. Your sovereignty is being bolstered by your inclusion into a multinational entity. That's a bad thing?

Why do you want to get out of it, if your laws work?

We have people from all over the world settle here. Yes we have many many people who's primary language isn't English. I work with people and half of them I have to use my hands to picture draw while trying communicate with verbally. I find it a challenge. A relief when they catch on. And if they settle here in Britain then yes, I would expect them to learn English. It's common sense to communicate with the whole and is respectful. It's also cheaper for our cash strapped economy. Translators are expensive and the EU doesn't subsidise us m8.

Please don't call me 'm8' or I'll go all Salvatore Rivieri on everyone. :shifty:

A lingua franca is important, but that doesn't mean you can strip people of their right to learn and speak their own language.

Here you go... your perception of my post is that you think I think everything is wrong and everyone must convert to ythe majority. Here, the majority is irrelivent to the equality of all. But people fail to understand human nature don't they. We English took our culture, language and religions all over the world. We clumped into groups and cannot expect otherwise from those comming here and I certainly wouldn't deprive them of their heritage, roots, culture or language. But they clump together here too. In groups of the same culture, religion and language. These clumps or groups band together for unity, community and comfort within an enviroment, human nature. Osterity causes many pains that trigger several groups to conflict. Already we do suffer from religious problems and have had racial riots. I see these divides continueing and do fear what lies ahead because we are no longer able to cater with the expectations that some have from a first world nation and from those who are intollerate against loseing out on resources for people they don't recognise as niegbours.

So wait... I'm not entirely following you here. On the one hand you're saying diversity is a bad thing, and on the other you're saying that you don't want to "clone everybody"?

Do you know why things like racial riots occur? I'll give you a hint: it's not because of diversity, but rather a lack of unity.

Bully for you m8. I live in country that actually prides itself on diversity, being multi-lingual. Being multi-cultural. You automaticaly think that because I point out future problems that will exist in tomorrows Britain, I'm against it and think I want to clone everybody. Typical hysterical conclusion from pro euro lefties.

You live in a country that prides itself in multi-lingual and multi-cultural? Where is this country? I thought England was where the official language is English and the official culture is... mostly English.

Also, don't try to compare your nation with SA, because you will likely fail. Unless your nation is more severe, more intense, worse, or better than SA. Which the UK isn't, really. Don't tell me that your nation is superior at handling diversity, when you come from a country that had no Apartheid, has no 57.8 Gini coefficient because of bad history, and has little or no case of highly dynamic ethnic and cultural relations.

You only point out future problems because these 'future problems' exist in your head. You think they're a necessity in a group of people that is not a monoculture, but they aren't.

They're only a necessity in a multicultural society in which everyone thinks like you.

I like how you call me a "pro Euro lefty". I'm no European, and I actually object to being called a 'lefty'... :lol:

 

[PennyBlack]

Er, no. Your sovereignty is being bolstered by your inclusion into a multinational entity. That's a bad thing?

Why do you want to get out of it, if your laws work?

When your courts are over ruled, jeperdising the security of the British people by the EU courts and your Priminister can do nothing but comply, that's not self determination is it. It's not endorceing our sovereignty at all.

Please don't call me 'm8' or I'll go all Salvatore Rivieri on everyone. :shifty:

Sorry dude.!

A lingua franca is important, but that doesn't mean you can strip people of their right to learn and speak their own language.

Again, I didn't say that, just that it would be polite to learn the language of the host nation. They must be allowed to retain thier identity in as much as me. That's my directive, not the EU's.

So wait... I'm not entirely following you here. On the one hand you're saying diversity is a bad thing, and on the other you're saying that you don't want to "clone everybody"?

No, I was indoctrinated from birth with diversity. I learnt about culture whilst experiencing life and people. I enjoy diversity, there a good dance group.

Do you know why things like racial riots occur? I'll give you a hint: it's not because of diversity, but rather a lack of unity.

No, I'll give you a clue shall I... not true.
Racial riots break out for numberous reasons. The reason they are called racial is because one unified group, belonging to one race is against another unified group of a differing race. Sometimes, it's only one unified race. But both are unified and are still unified under the whole. Some racial riots here in the UK is just letting off steam and then they mix again, usually. The other aspect of diversity is that when one nation goes to war with another, unified, alternate nationals here would possibly take the war onto our streets. We've already whitnessed those here from abroad riot and demonstrate because of actions outside of British control. And the world has never been so unstable has it.

You live in a country that prides itself in multi-lingual and multi-cultural? Where is this country? I thought England was where the official language is English and the official culture is... mostly English.

Our national dish is an Indian dish. Teck-massala I think. And yes, it's still the official language. But we have a high concentration of non-English speakers to that I think would intigrate into our society, industry, commercial areas better.

Also, don't try to compare your nation with SA, because you will likely fail. Unless your nation is more severe, more intense, worse, or better than SA. Which the UK isn't, really. Don't tell me that your nation is superior at handling diversity, when you come from a country that had no Apartheid, has no 57.8 Gini coefficient because of bad history, and has little or no case of highly dynamic ethnic and cultural relations.

Are you on drugs... How are you reading these posts.

You only point out future problems because these 'future problems' exist in your head. You think they're a necessity in a group of people that is not a monoculture, but they aren't. They're only a necessity in a multicultural society in which everyone thinks like you.

I don't understand that bit. It must be my monocular mind. I'd really love that, everybody thinking like me. But not to be I'm afraid.

I like how you call me a "pro Euro lefty". I'm no European, and I actually object to being called a 'lefty'... :lol:

Typical hysterical conclusion from pro euro lefties... I did write that.
My appologies.

 

[T.Neo]

When your courts are over ruled, jeperdising the security of the British people by the EU courts and your Priminister can do nothing but comply, that's not self determination is it. It's not endorceing our sovereignty at all.

How are they overruled if the laws are common?

How does it jeopardise the security of the British people?

Sorry dude.!

Again, I didn't say that, just that it would be polite to learn the language of the host nation. They must be allowed to retain thier identity in as much as me. That's my directive, not the EU's.

Generally it would be. There you go. What's all the fuss about then?

No, I'll give you a clue shall I... not true.
Racial riots break out for numberous reasons. The reason they are called racial is because one unified group, belonging to one race is against another unified group of a differing race. Sometimes, it's only one unified race. But both are unified and are still unified under the whole. Some racial riots here in the UK is just letting off steam and then they mix again, usually. The other aspect of diversity is that when one nation goes to war with another, unified, alternate nationals here would possibly take the war onto our streets. We've already whitnessed those here from abroad riot and demonstrate because of actions outside of British control. And the world has never been so unstable has it.

The world has been very unstable for a very long time. In fact, it has been unstable before humans ever existed.

Also, why do you think people need to "let off some steam"?

Our national dish is an Indian dish. Teck-massala I think. And yes, it's still the official language. But we have a high concentration of non-English speakers to that I think would intigrate into our society, industry, commercial areas better.

What percentage of people in Britain cannot speak English?

Also, Chicken tikka masala has been popularly reffered to as the British national dish, but the countries within the UK have their own national dishes- including fish and chips, roast beef, and haggis.

Now I'm hungry. I think I'll take the fish and chips though... :shifty:

Are you on drugs... How are you reading these posts.

I'm not sure, but I'm probably not on drugs... that I know of. Are you accusing me of being a drug user?

I don't understand that bit. It must be my monocular mind. I'd really love that, everybody thinking like me. But not to be I'm afraid.

Hey, I often think about a world where everyone would think like me. And then I realise, that it would be a boring, stagnant place, because there would be no differences to correct individual failings...

 

[PennyBlack]

I'm not accusing you of being a drug user T.Neo. It was a question wasn't it, not an accusation.

Any way I'm done with this and I've run out of Pop-Corn. My explanations are made and I'm going to bed.

:thumbup:

 

[SiberianTiger]

A video that explains everything:

‪The Difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England Explained‬‏ - YouTube

God did.

A spooky one!