Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries Yangqian College of Foreign Languages Shenyang University

II. People Population 1 2 Ethnicity 3 Language 4 Characteristics

Population Overall population: over 60 million Distribution: England: about 50 million Scotland:over 5 million Wales: around 3 million Northern Ireland: about 1.7million

Ethnicity The majority of this population are descendents of the Anglo-Saxons Most people in Wales and Scotland are descendents of the Celtic people The Irish people were also Celtic in origin immigrants

Percentage of total UK Population Ethnic Groups of total White British 85.7% White Irish 1.2% White (other) 5.3% Mixed race 1.2% Indian 1.8%---3.4% Pakistani 1.3% Bengali 0.5% Other Asian (non-Chinese) 0.4% Black Caribbean 1.0% Black African 0.8% Black (others) 0.2% Chinese 0.4% Other 0.4%

The English Language 1. Old English 2. Middle English 3. Modern English 4. Standard English

1. Old English (5th ~ 11th) Language of Anglo-Saxons Influenced by Old Norse Latin and Greek words Danish words

Beowulf The most famous work from the Old English period is the epic poem ”Beowulf” (approximately AD 900) Hwæt! We Gar-Dena in geardagum, þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum

2. Middle English (11th ~ 15th ) Status French replaced English as the official language, and English became the Language of lower class pig — pork sheep — mutton cattle — beef Development English increased in importance after the Black Death

The Canterbury Tales written by Geofery Chaucer, 14 the century Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote And bathed every veyne in swich licour, Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Geoffrey Chaucer

3. Modern English (15th~ ) The printing press—brought standardization of English Samuel Johnson’s dictionary—established a standard form of spelling Renaissance—assimilated foreign words throughout the Renaissance The Industrial Revolution—necessitated the introduction of new words for new things and ideas The rise of the British Empire or the Commonwealth of Nations—led to the assimilation of words from many other languages

Othello by William Shakespeare 1603 La: Tho in the trade of warre, I haue flaine men, Yet doe I hold it very ftuft of Confcience. To doe no contriu’d murrher; I lacke iniquity Sometimes to doe feruice: nine or ten times, I had thought to haue ierk’d him here, Vnder the ribbes. Oth.: Tis better as it is. Which can be translated as: La: Though in the trade of war I have slain man, Yet do I hold it very stuff o’ the conscience. To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity Sometimes to do me service: nine or tem times I had thought to have yerk’d him here under the ribs. Othello: ‘Tis better as it is. Shakespeare

4. Standard English based on the speech of the upper class of southeastern England adopted as a broadcasting standard in the British media also called as Queen’s English or BBC English based on the London dialect becoming a universal Lingua Franca—the world language

British Characteristics Gentleman Manners Pub Culture Six Senses British Celebrities

The Typical British Ladies and gentlemen

Lady First The ox and the cow are in the field.

A Lady First Quiz Enter a room or restaurant Get off a car or taxi Go out of a concert hall Walk along the street Seat In danger

Pub Culture

British Characteristics Trust To manage the country and life Example Gentlemen’s agreement Japan Great empire Class system They just know they’re the best 1/5 volunteer and charity There is a time and a place for everything Stand in line Uniforms Tolerance and an instinct for compromise Example no written Constitution Good for body, mind and spirit Superi-ority Irony A Sense of Duty Order Fair Play Manners makyth man

Guess

Guess

Key Words For British practical superior honest polite stubborn tolerant conservative humorous