British and American Identity and Lifestyle Week 1
Course Introduction
British Identity: Regional, Ethnic and Gender Identity
I. About the course
1. Content of knowledge
2. Learning outcomes
3. Assessment scheme
II. Key concepts
1. The multi-faceted nature of identity
2. How can you describe a nation’s/region’s lifestyle?
III. Review
1. Match the description with the correct name
1. a popular London tourist attraction A. The Home Counties
2. the structure used to protect London from flooding B. The East End
3. the area where the Houses of Parliament are located C. The Tower of London
4. the financial centre of London D. The Thames Estuary
5. the main area for entertainment and shopping E. The Thames Barrier
6. the traditional home of Cockneys F. The West End
7. the area into which modern London is expanding G. The City
8. the south-east of England H. Westminster
2. Find the word or phrase in your readings chapter which is used to mean or to
describe:
(1) the flag of England
(2) a citizen of the U.K.
(3) Britain or England, with the white cliffs of the south coast in mind
(4) the umbrella organization for employees in the U.K.
(5) the organization which controls the supply of money in the U.K.
(6) the Caribbean, especially the English-speaking parts of it
(7) the edges of hills facing out to sea on the south coast of England
British and American Identity and Lifestyle Week 1
(8) a combination of smoke and fog
(9) the flat, watery area in East Anglia
(10) an area of Glasgow famous in the past for its terrible housing conditions
3. Talking Points
a. What are the principal differences between British English and American English –
vocabulary, grammar, intonation? List some examples. Choose a particular regional accent
and try to identify some of the stereotypical characteristics that are associated with it.
b. Why do some British people insist on speaking minor languages and dialects, even when
they are bilingual? Try to identify some words or phrases from Scots, Welsh, and Gaelic that
have entered into the English language and are used regularly in Britain today.
c. What special “problems” are faced by minority ethnic communities in Britain?
d. In the British government, there are ministers with special responsibility for Scotland,
Wales, and Northern Ireland, but there is no minister for English. Why do you think this is?
e. What are the different stereotype reputations of north and south in England?
f. If you had to live in Britain but could choose anywhere in the country, which part would
you choose? Why?
4. Decide whether the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE
a. The UK comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain which contains England, Wales,
and Scotland and the northern portion of the island of Ireland.
b. England is by far the second populous country of the United Kingdom following Scotland.
c. Wales is known as a mountainous country on the western side of central southern Great
Britain.
d. Class distinctions no longer exist in modern Britain.
