The people in Ireland, Wales and Highland Scotland belonged to the Celtic race, and those in England and Lowland Scotland were mainly of Germanic origin. This difference was reflected in the languages they spoke. People in the Celtic areas spoke Celtic languages – they are Irish, Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh; and people in the Germanic areas spoke Germanic dialects, including the one, which has developed into modern English. The differences in their identities manifest themselves in different spheres. E.g. in clothes: the kilt is a well-known symbol of Scottishness. It has a tartan pattern (kletchatij), though not very often worn now. The harp is an emblem of both Wales and Ireland. The bagpipes (volynka) are regarded as distinctively Scottish but also used in tradition Irish music.
Some Roman names are still used for Scotland, Wales and Ireland: Caledonia, Cambria, and Hibernia respectively. E.g. the type of English used in Ireland is Hibernal English. There is an airline ‘British Caledonia’, from Scotland. Eire is referred to as the emerald Island (or the emerald Isle), associated with the greenery of the country.
When they speak about the law (pravosudie) or the system of education, or local governments, we usually say in England and Wales, because Wales became part of England many centuries before and Scotland and Northern Island became its part much later. La enforcement bodies (organy provosudija). Because Scotland and N.Ireland have different law, they don’t contradict fundamental law, but have peculiarities.
The English are a mixed people, they have local customs and accents. One of them is cockney. It is not only an accent, it is a languages, since it includes words and expressions which are not used in any ither part of the country. A cockney is a Londoner who is born within the sounds of the bells of the church of St.Mary Le Bow.
Typical Englishmen are known as stay-at-homes (There is no place like home, English home is his castle – proverbs). They believe that the English are called reserved, haughty (zanoschivij) people, who are rather arrogant and standoffish (derzhashie na rasstojanii).
The Scots are known as courageous people adoring their country and keeping their traditions. During the 1st World War the Germans called them ‘the Women From Hell’. They have their great pride, esp. the Highlanders, who consider themselves superior to the Lowlanders, as most Lowlanders are descendants of Danish and Anglo-Saxon settlers. The hether (veresk) as well as Scotch whisky is always associated with Scotland. The tartan is not chosen at random, it is defined by the clan or a tribe, or a family.
As to the Welsh people, they are known as lovers for music and singing. Every year they hold a musical festival, which gathers Welshmen the world over. They wear national costumes and sing Welsh songs. But the highly important symbol of Welsh identity is the Welsh language. They have their periodicals, radio and television, educational establishments in their ancient Celtic (Welsh) language. In 1965 it was given equality with English for all official use in Wales. The Welsh language symbolizes the whole of Welsh history and culture. And they say that their national pride and their national traditions are cherished here more than in any other part of Great Britain.
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1965 – Welsh language was given equality with English |
