1. An introduction: THE BRITISH ISLES

2. 1. The British Isles Geographically speaking: two islands
Island 1 = Great Britain
(England, Scotland and Wales)
Island 2 = Ireland
(The Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland)

3. 1. The British Isles Capital city England Wales London Scotland
(Republic of) Ireland
Northern Ireland
The UK
London
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Dublin
Belfast

4. 1. The British Isles Politically speaking: two states
Republic of Ireland
(= Eire)
The United Kingdom
(= The United Kingdom of
Great Britain and
Northern Ireland)

5. 2. Flags
Union Jack

6. 2. Flags
England
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Wales
United Kingdom

7. 2. Flags

8. 3. National symbols
leek
shamrock
red rose
daffodil
thistle

9. 4. Monarchy

10. 4. Monarchy
Princess Diana (1997)

11. 4. Monarchy

12. 4. Monarchy Royal family = the House of Windsor Queen Elizabeth II
Prince of Wales (Charles): heir to the throne
Prince William: second in line to the throne
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
Prince Harry (William’s brother)
Prince George Alexander Louis: First Royal Baby
Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana: Second Royal Baby
Family tree:

13. 5. National anthem

14. 6. Political parties Conservative Party (PM: David Cameron)
minimal government interference in economy
high priority to national defence
Labour Party
stands for equality
concerned to provide full social services
Liberal Democratic Party
strongly in favour of the EU
more emphasis on the environment

15. 7. The media

16. 7. The media

17. 7. The media Quality papers Popular papers = ‘broadsheets’
= ‘tabloids’
larger shape
? shape
for better educated readers
much larger readership
more text
more ?, larger headlines
more ? English
easier English
politics, serious news
scandal stories
The Daily Telegraph
The Guardian
The Times
The Sun
The Daily Mirror
The Daily Mail

18. 8. Housing “An Englishman’s home is his castle.”
Importance of ownership:
Almost everybody in Britain dreams of living in his own (detached) house
Importance of privacy

19. 8. Housing The most desirable home (but very expensive)
= a detached house (vrijstaand huis)

20. A semi-detached house (schakelwoning)
8. Housing
A semi-detached house (schakelwoning)

21. A terraced house (rijtjeshuis/rijtjeswoning)
8. Housing
A terraced house (rijtjeshuis/rijtjeswoning)

22. 8. Housing
A flat (appartement)

23. 9. Food & drinks
“On the continent people have good food; in England people have good table manners.”
British food is said to have very little taste. Food and drink is given relatively little attention.
The British are extremely open to the cuisine of other countries!

24. 9. Food & drinks When people eat what (meals):
Breakfast: cereal or English breakfast
Elevenses: cup of tea and some biscuits
Lunch: sandwiches
Afternoon tea: cup of tea and a snack
Supper: evening meal
(‘dinner’ is more formal, e.g. Christmas dinner)

25. 9. Food & drinks
English breakfast with toast, fried egg, tomatoes, bacon, sausages and mushrooms
Tea & scones with jam and cream
Fish and chips with mashed peas