The English-Speaking World: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Language
1. The countries of the world where the English language is spoken. 99 countries such as Ireland, West Indies, Canada, The USA, India, Australia, New Zeland.
2. Approximate number of mother tongue speakers of English. Which place does English occupy in the world by its number of speakers? After which language(s)? 335 millions, third place after Spanish and Chinese.
What is the difference between
English as a Second Language, English as a Foreign Language and English for Specific Purposes? Give examples of situations where they are used.
EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language: An English teacher who teaches English to speakers of other languages in a non-English speaking country is teaching EFL. For example, an American living and teaching English in Spain is an EFL teacher if the students are native in Spanish.
ESL stands for English as a Second Language:A teacher living and teaching English in an English speaking country, such as the U.S. Or Australia, is teaching ESL. The teacher’s students from non-English speaking countries, but are now living and studying English in an English-speaking country.
ESP which means English for Specific Purposes: It is defined to meet specific needs of the learners. It is centered on the language appropriate to these activities in terms of grammar, lexis, register, study skills, discourse and genre. It is a sphere of teaching English language including Business English, Technical English, Scientific English, English for medical professionals, English for waiters, English for tourism, English for Art Purposes 4. What is the difference between settlement colonies and the trading empire (dependencies)? Basically the British Empire was a Trading Empire, they set up ports to trade with the Natives. One example was India. After Independence in 1949. A settlement colony is a colony (a territory ruled by another country) for the purposes of settlement. Some examples are Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. They were settled by Europeans.
Which British colonies became dominions
What was their status? Is the name dominion used for these countries nowadays? Canada, Australia, Pakistan, India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State. The word “Dominions” originally referred to the possessions of the Kingdom of England. No, it is not used anymore even the phrase His/Her Majesty’s dominions is a legal and constitutional phrase that refers to all the realms and territories of the Sovereign ,6
. Which organisation unites
Britain and most of its former colonies nowadays?
Commonwealth, A voluntary association of 54 independent states.
IRELAND. 1. Who were the early inhabitants of Ireland?
The first inhabitants of Ireland were hunters and fishers from the European mainland – 6000 BC. Later, Celtic people – from Europe – about 200 BC. However, when the whole Europe was under the Roman conquest, Ireland was not conquered by them.
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When was Christianity established in Ireland?
Who is Ireland’s patron saint? When is his feast day? The first bishop who tried to establish the Christianity in Ireland was Palladius in 431. However, It was not until 432 with St Patrick, When he came to do the most famous conversion to Christianity in Ireland. He is considered really important for the culture of Ireland, having a feast day the 17 of March.
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When did the English conquest of Ireland begin? Began in the 12th century by the king Henry II.
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Who were settled in the province of Ulster by King James
I? What has this resulted in? James I settled English and Scottish Protestants in the province of Ulster. However,
5. What is meant by Home Rule?
A first movement for independence of Ireland from England. In 1916 – Easter Monday, unsuccessful rebellion in Dublin; its leaders proclaimed an Irish Republic in front of the General Post office.
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Changes in the number of population since the
1840s
Causes of emigration from Ireland. Is Ireland still an emigration country? Between 1984 and 1849, the Great Famine led to mass hunger and consequent mass emigration. This famine was the most significant point in the demographics of the country with clear consequences even nowadays. The countries, which people emigrated, were England, Canada, Australia and the USA. In the mid-20th century, Ireland’s population started to grow, although emigration was still common. In the 1990s, the demographics of the country began to change as a result of the Celtic Tiger Irish economic boom with a exoudus in reverse as consequence. Since this grow, the population of Ireland is growing every year and by now – the population of the Republic of Ireland – 4.7 mln
7. What is the difference between the Irish Free State and the Republic of Ireland?
When were they established? The Irish Fee State was the step after the actual Republic of Ireland. It was the state established in 1922. On the day the Irish Free State was established, it comprised the entire island of Ireland; but, Northern Ireland immediately removed itself from the new state. The Free State came to an end in 1937, when the citizens voted by referendum. It was succeeded by the sovereign and current state of the Republic of Ireland
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8. What are the official languages of Ireland?
What is the situation of the Irish language at present? Irish language, which comes from Celtic, and English. Compulsory at schools, Discussions whether the Irish language should be taught or more attention be paid to foreign languages (French, German, etc.), Irish an official language of the European Union from 2007.[In recent decades there has been a significant increase in the number of urban Irish speakers, particularly in Dublin. In the 2011 Census, the number had increased to 94,000 of people who use Irish as a daily language and 1.3 million of people who use it at least occasionally in or out of school]
9. What languages is the Irish language related to?
In what alphabet were the earliest sources written? Celtic languages. The Ogham alphabet, the alphabet is an Early Medievalalphabet used primarily to write the early Irish language 10.
Which is the most famous medieval manuscript?
The Book of Kells (in Latin) – from the 9th century. May have had its beginnings in Iona, was continued at Kells.
11famous writers are of Irish origin?
George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett y Seamus Heaney (with Nobel Prize) as well as James Joyce y Jonathan Swift.
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The Irish people outside Ireland.
Who of the US presidents come from Irish families?More Irish live outside Ireland than in it, The US, Australia, New Zealand, Britain. J. F. Kennedy – the only Catholic president, R. Nixon, R. Reagan, B. Clinton.
WEST IND1ES
Where are the West Indies situated?
Why are they known by that name? They are situated in the Caribean Sea. Between North America and South America. Europeans began to use the misnomerWest Indiesto differentiate that region from the Indies(South Asiaand Southeast Asia).
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Who were the original inhabitants of the area? Arawak Indians – from about 200 BC. Carib Indians – from about AD 1300 3.
When and by whom were most of these islands discovered for the Europeans? They were discovered by Cristopher Columbus. The place is not clear but it is thought that he landed on the island of San Salvador on 12 Oct. 1492 or on Samana Cay, 65 miles SE of San Salvador.
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Which languages are spoken in the West Indies?
Pidgin – foreign language mixed with the speaker’s first language.
Creole – mixture of a European language + one or more languages, spoken as the first language.
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When did most West
Indian countries gain independence?
By the 1980s most British West Indian islands were independent nations; most of them members of the Commonwealth of Nations 8. Styles of music and dance originate in the West Indies?Jamaican steel drum player and Limbo dance.
9.religions are spread in the
W.I? WhoRastafarians?
Catholicism (Spanish- and French-speaking areas)Various forms of Protestantism – (in English-speaking areas) Hindus and Muslims. Many worship the Christian god and African gods at the same time (witchcraft, voodoo). Rastafarians: Leonard Howell and Marcus Garvey
CANADA 1
Which place does it occupy in the world by its area? Area 9,922,385 sq km (2nd in the world – after Russia Population 35 mln (37th in the world)
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The main geographic landforms.
Canada possesses a valuable diversity of different landforms, among which we find mountain ranges (the Canadian Rockies), plains (the Interior Plains), rocky uplands and temperate lowlands, and the cold tundra.
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How is the population distributed on the territory of Canada?
Densely and sparsely populated areas. Canada is a barely populated nation, with most of its population density distributed around its southern and southeastern territories. The provinces with highest population density are Prince Edward Island (24.7 inhabitants/square km), Nova Scotia (17.4), Ontario (14.1), New Brunswick, Quebec and Alberta (the southmost territories). The provinces with lowest population density rates are Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. They form around 40% of Canada’s area but only 108,000 people are living there. However this difference is gradually diminishing, 4.
Who are the native peoples of Canada?
Indians (the First Nations), Métis, Inuit. It has been widely accepted that, according to the Bering Bridge Theory, people migrated from Siberia to Alaska across a land bridge that spanned the current day Bering Strait. The first people to populate the Americas were believed to have migrated across the Bering Land Bridge while tracking large game animal herds. The Métis, self-considered as a new nation, are of mixed North American Indian and European (particularly French) descent. Their classic culture was mainly developed in present-day Manitoba. The inuits, formerly called Eskimos, have Nunavut as their main province. There are in Canada about 59,000 (being 160,000 their total number)
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The discovery of Canada by Europeans (St Brendan, Scandinavians, John Cabot, Jacques Cartier).
St Brendan the Navigator – 6th-century Irish monk.
Vikings (about 1000 AD)- Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland.
John Cabot –
1497 – Sailed from Bristol on 20 May 1497; Wanted to reach Kathay; Sighted land on 24 June 1497; The exact spot where he landed is not known; Maybe Newfoundland, Cape Breton Island or the coast of Maine; King Henry VII gave £10 “to him that found the new Isle” and sponsored a new voyage; Never returned from his second expedition.
Jacques Cartier
– 1534 – (French)- Sailed from Saint-Malo, Northern France; Three expeditions – 1534, 1535-36, 1541-42; Sailed up the St Lawrence River; Visited the sites of the present Quebec City and Montreal – then Indian villages.
CANADA 6
From which countries did most immigrants arrive in Canada in the following periods: before the 1760s, 1760s to the end of the 19th century, the early 20th century, at present?
Before 1760s:
1608 – Quebec City founded.Until 1760 – mostly from France – the colony of New France 1760s to 19th:
The French and Indian War (1754-1763) – New France became a British colony. After that – mostly from the UK, either directly of by way of the US (Loyalists)20th:The early 20th century – Continental Europe, e.G. Scandinavians, Italians, Ukrainians. After World War II – war refugees from many countries, including Estonia.
Present:
visible minorities from the developing world 7.
Which province has the highest percentage of population of British origin?
Of French origin? One more province that has a large French-speaking population. On average, Canada holds a 58.5 % of English Canadians. The province with the highest percentage of English Canadians is Newfoundland and Labrador (98.5 %). French Canadians account for a 22% of Canada’s total population and their highest percentage is found in the province of Quebec (79% have French as their mother tongue) and New Brunswick (28%).
Compare the roles of the
Governor General and the PrimeMinister in Canada. The Governor General is the representative of the Queen (Appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Canadian Prime Minister) in Canada. The Prime Minister is the real political leader of the country.
9. Who were the Loyalists, why and when did they move to Canada? Loyalists were American colonists, of different ethnic backgrounds, who supported the British cause during the American Revolution(1775–83). Tens of thousands migrated to British North America during and after the revolutionary war — boosting the population and heavily influencing the politics and culture of what would become Canada.
10. In which province is Scottish culture preserved? In Nova Scotia (latin for New Scotland), where the largest ethnic group is Scottish (28%) and the most common mother tongue is English (92.4%).
12. Which is the main crop grown in the Prairie Provinces? Wheat is the main crop in these provinces. For this reason, the Prairie Provinces have been baptized as Canada’s bread basket
CANADA 13. The political and language situation in Quebec
Why do the Quebecois want to be called a distinct society? Quebec is, among the provinces of Canada, the one with the highest percentage (79) of French Canadians (Canadians with French as their mother tongue). One of the reasons for this claim for sovereignty is that it is a way to preserve Quebec’s language, culture and identity and not to be assimilated by the rest of Canada. In 1995, a referendum for the sovereignty of Quebec was held, with a result of 50.59 against it and 49.41 for. Among francophones, 60% were for sovereignty. Among native peoples, like the inuit, most were against, claiming that if the French Quebecois want a distinct society, then they want also one of their own/. Much more recently, in April 7th 2014, the Quebec general election to elect members of the National Assembly of Quebec was won by the Quebec Liberal Party. This party’s position is that, although recognising the existence of Quebec as a political and ethnic nation, its population is not really for independence from the rest of Canada. Prime minister Stephen Harper recognized in the House of Commons in 2006 that Quebec is a nation, but a nation within the borders of Canada, and not independent from it 14. What is Nunavut?
The territory created in the Canadian North on April 1, 1999 when the former Northwest Territories was divided in two. Nunavut means “our land” in Inuktitut. Inuit, whose ancestors inhabited these lands for thousands of years, make up 85 percent of the population of Nunavut. The territory has its own public government.
15. In what meaning are the following terms used in Canada:
First Nations, anglophones, francophones, allophones?First Nations: The First Nations are the various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. Their total population is about 700,000. This term has become more common that its deprecated equivalent Indians.Anglophones: people within Canada who have English as their mother tongue or first language. Especially people of British descent.Francophones: Canadians with French as first language, especially those of French descent.Allophones: residentsw (usually immigrants) whose mother tongue is neither French nor English. Note that Canadian aboriginal populations are not considered allophones.
1. Which is the most widely spoken Indian language? Which classical language is it based on? The most widely spoken Indian language is Hindi (2nd – 5th language in the world). It was developed from Sanskrit and written in the Devanagari script 2. 3. What was meant India became independent of Britain in 1947.The British colony was divided into three parts: India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan (from 1971 Bangladesh).
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. Why are both Hindi and English used as the official languages of India? They speak Hindi due to their national pride and they speak English to compete in the world of globalization
6. What is meant by the Three
Language Formula?
The three Language Formula means that in non-Hindi areas people can speak their regional language, Hindi and English. Moreover, in Hindi-speaking regions people speak English, Hindi and another region language
Discovery of Australia
The first people who discovered Australia were Willem Janszoon (Jansz), Dutch (1606) and Luis Vaez de Torres, Spanish (1606). Then, Abel Tasman, Dutch(1642) discovered Tasmania. Moreover, James Cook landed in Botany Bay in April 1770.
3. Where and when was the first colony established?
Who were the first settlers? May 1787 – a fleet of 11 ships left Portsmouth, England
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In January 1788 landed in Sydney Cove, North of Botany Bay
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Nearly all their crimes were petty thefts4
. What changes have taken place in Australia’s immigration policy since World War II? First, the chief source of population (convicts) “transported” from England, after that they were mostly free immigrants. In 1851 great wave of immigrants, including thousands of Chinese. After the World War II, almost all immigrants from the British Isles.Post-war years they were refugees from Europe. White Australia policy – the vast populations of India and China and the military power of Japan were seen as a threat5. Recent changes in Australia’s economic relations.
Nowadays – Australia’s biggest trading partner – China. Main exports to China – iron ore and coal. Australia survived the global downturn without recession. Plans to diversify exports to Asia – food, wine, education, health care, financial services7. The Australian referendum in 1999?
Weakening of sentimental attachment to Britain
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Referendum on 6 November 1999 – 55% against Australia becoming a republic
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Were offered the “wrong kind of republic” – president appointed by the Parliament.
Who are the native people of Australia? Where do most of them live?
Aborigines are the native people of Australia. They live in every state and territory of Australia, often in remote areas.
1. The two large islands of New Zealand, their main geographic landforms. The two large islands of New Zealand are North Island and South Island. Comprised of two large islands (separated by the Cook Strait), as well as Stewart Island, hundreds of coastal islands and many regional islands,New Zealand is a country of snowcapped mountains and scenic landscapes – north to south.
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Who are the native people of New Zealand?
What is their origin? When did they arrive in New Zealand? Maoris are the native people of New Zealand,around 1280 AD. Originally, they had no name for themselves but they adopted the name Maori (normal) to distinguish themselves from the Europeans (Pakeha).
Discovery of New Zealand by Europeans
First settlers were whalers and sealers.First Christian mission station was in 1814.Widespread settlement from 1840.4. By Māori give the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands. In return, they are guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands and other possessions; are given the rights and privileges of British subjects.
5. The status of the Maori language and Maori culture at present. New Zealand is a predominantly English-speaking country. Maori an official language of New Zealand from 1987. Only 24% (131,600 people) of all Maori can speak Maori.
6. The peculiarities of New Zealand’s plant and animal life. The national bird of New Zealand. the New Zealand’s majestic evergreen native forests that include rimu, totara, many varieties of beech, and the largest native tree of them all, the giant kauri. New Zealand’s national symbol is a nocturnal flightless bird with nostrils on the end of its large beak. The kiwi is now endangered, and difficult to see in the wild. The tuatara is a unique relic of the past – the only beak-headed reptile left in the world7. The political system of New Zealand.
The Head of State is the British monarch. Parliament has a single chamber (The House of Representatives). They are two major parties: the National Party and the Labour Party.
PORTRAITURE
In the Early Republican Period, when the war ended, portrait remained the almost only practical art form. Portraiture divides into official, created by the great demand for portraits of national heroes and statesmen after the Revolution, and private, although the same artists were involved in both.
Charles Willson Peale was a well-known portrait of the time. He was an American painter best remembered for his portraits of the leading figures of the American Revolutionand as the founder of the first major museumin the United States.
IN long life, his most original and interesting works are those in which the full-length portrait is part of a larger composition. One of his most celebrated paintings is Another of his great achievements is The Artist in His Museum (1822), Peale’s self-portrait. He was also known for painting portraits of Washington, mainly for the first he did where he is represented as colonel in the Virginia Militia during the French and Indian Wars.
Gilbert Stuart was the other leading portrait of the time, who enjoyed emphasizing the face, not the environment or gesture of his models. The result was a vibrant coloristic surface that seems to capture the vivacity of living and breathing things. It was Stuart who achieved the image that his head became the symbol of republican America long before his portrait appeared on money, medals, and stamps. Stuart painted Washington three times from life and made many copies of these originals. First of all, he produced the “Vaughan type”, however he was not happy with the result in spite of receiving urgent copies. Later on, Stuart did the “Atheneum” portrait. This was a work of Washington’s appearance, Stuart created the symbol of a great leader—dignified, contemplative and assured. Stuart also painted a great number of other important Americans during the years of the Republic.
8. To what institutions in many other countries can the departments be compared to? What are the functions of the State Department?
The departments of the U.S. Government are similar to those departments in the British government. State department is responsible for the international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministry of other countries. 9. How is the President elected?
What is the difference between popular vote and electoral vote? The election of the President and Vice President of the United States is an indirect vote in which citizens cast ballots for a slate of members of the U.S. Electoral College. These electors, in turn, directly elect the President and Vice President. Popular vote refers to the number of votes a candidate receives from the people. The electoral vote is the number of votes the candidate receives from the electoral senators. 10. How are Senators and Representatives elected?
There are two houses of Congress, the senate and the House of Representatives. There are 2 senators per state, for a total of 100 senators. The representatives are determined by the population of each state. For example, a state with a small population will have less representatives than a state with a large population. Senators and representatives are elected by popular vote of people in their district within their state 11. Whose birthdays are celebrated as federal holidays?
What is the significance of these persons in American History?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day: MLK was an African American minister and civil rights leader during the 1950s and 1960s. He called for equality for African Americans by peaceful protest. President’s Day (Washington and Lincoln): celebrates the birthdays of washing and Lincoln. Washington was the first president and leader of the revolutionary war. Lincoln was the president during the Civil War and he fought to keep the United States together and freed the slaves. 12. What is the origin of Thanksgiving
Day? What are the traditional foods eaten on that day? What is the meaning of Black Friday? Thanksgiving day is a celebration of the first harvest that the English pilgrims had in their colonies, with the help of the native Americans. Together in peace, they shared a meal. The traditional foods are turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Black Friday, is the day after thanksgiving, where stores and malls open early to have big sales. Americans buy Christmas gifts early for big discounts.13. Who were the first European explorers in the area of present-day New York?
Who started a settlement there? What was it called? Henry Hudson, an Englishman working on behalf of the Dutch India Company, discovered the island in 1609 and created the colony called New Amsterdam. The area was originally inhabited by native Americans and they peace did not last long. The colony of new Amsterdam was renamed New York.
4. Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans — their countries of origin, their status in present-day American society.
These minority ethnic groups are integrated into the American culture, however they have a long history of mistreatment in the United States. Native Americans are native to the United States, their ancestors are originally from North America and are not considered immigrants. Some Native Americans live on reservations, which are areas of land reserved solely for native peoples. Other native Americans live amongst Americans in cities. Hispanic Americans (Hispanic means people who originate from places speaking Spanish) are primarily from Central American countries and South America, also Spain. These people primarily come from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The Hispanic Americans are generally newly immigrated, so they face issues with language barriers. African Americans face many issues with poverty and racial discrimination in the United States. They primarily are descendants of slaves who were forced to come to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. New African American immigrants originate from countries such as Sudan and Somalia. There is a significant population of African Americans from Caribbean countries. Asian Americans originate from a variety of countries, religions and backgrounds. For example, there are many Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese and Korean immigrants in the United States. In general, these immigrants have a higher status than other minority groups and are able to access educational opportunities
2. Which were the first permanent British colonies in America?
The Jamestown settlement in the Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. (1607) 3. From which countries did most immigrants arrive in the US in the following periods: before the mid-19th century; the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, at present? Before mid-19th century: England, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Scotland (African slaves were forced to come to u.S) Second half of 19th century: Ireland, England, Germany, Sweden, Norway , West Coast (China,Mexico) Early 20th century: Italians, Greeks, Hungarians, Poland At present: Asia, Central America, Middle East, Africa (Mexico, China, India, Vietnam, Philippines. 5. Why are the metaphors Melting Pot and Mosaic / Salad Bowl / Pot of Stew used about the US? What is the difference between them? The United States is a combination of people of many nationalities and cultures, therefore the metaphor of a melting pot of salad represents the unique combination of many diverse backgrounds. The two metaphors are similar in representing the culture, however the melting pot suggests that the diverse backgrounds of Americans are combined to form one culture. More recently, Americans recognize with the mixed salad metaphor because it suggests that Americans still maintain their unique backgrounds and culture while still remaining unified by their country of the United States 6. What are the three branches of government?
Executive branch (enforces laws, vetoes bills from congress, appoints judges), president . Legislative branch (creates laws, represents the people in congress, can impeach president), congressmen, senators, representatives. Judicial branch (listen to cases of inequality in the courts), Supreme Court judges 7. What is the Bill of Rights? Bill of Rights is a collection of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Some of these rights are freedom to religion, freedom of speech, a free press, and free assembly; the right to keep and bear arms; freedom from unreasonable search and seizure.