I've been in the UK for almost three years now and only this week did I come to know that the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England are not interchangeable. Each is a distinctly separate term, geographically and much more politically as well.
While United Kingdom comprises of four countries, but is regarded as one country. These four are England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, Great Britain comprises of only three countries: England, Wales and Scotland. So the UK is actually the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Norther Ireland. England is a separate country by itself - perhaps the only one who'd be rightly titled 'British'. The other two parts of Great Britain would certainly not be too happy if you'd call them 'British'! The video below is a good and detailed description of what's behind the name and combination...
While the geographical composition and demarcation is complicated enough, the political connections (or colonial vestiges) are far more messy. I liked best what the commentator describes as the opinion of the English about their counterparts in Great Britain and vice-versa! ... "rural-yokels who spend too much time with their sheep" and "...slave-driving colonial masters..."
While United Kingdom comprises of four countries, but is regarded as one country. These four are England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, Great Britain comprises of only three countries: England, Wales and Scotland. So the UK is actually the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Norther Ireland. England is a separate country by itself - perhaps the only one who'd be rightly titled 'British'. The other two parts of Great Britain would certainly not be too happy if you'd call them 'British'! The video below is a good and detailed description of what's behind the name and combination...
No comments:
Post a Comment