Seriously thoughtful The All New, 2011 (almost) Where Are You From? Thread

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Is that right?

Yes! Spot on.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I stand corrected. "United Kingdom" vs "Great Britain" ...

Don't worry, you're not alone! I've lost count of the number of times I've explained all of this to other people. Nobody (except perhaps some older people) in the UK, uses the term Great Britain any more, any more than they refer the British Empire (except historically), it's passé.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

"Great Britain" is the island ...

Well, you could think of it like that, if you like, but people in the UK don't refer to the island as Great Britain, rather it is sometimes referred to as mainland Britain, in order to distinguish it from the island of Ireland.

So, the island comprising England, Scotland and Wales is referred to as Britain. For example, if you searched say, for natural history books, you would find probably books such as "Birds of Britain", "Butterflies of Britain", and so on. There are even books with titles such as "British Birds", but of course many of the same birds can be found in Ireland, and on the continent of Europe.

By the way, when British people refer to Europe, they often mean the continent of Europe, despite the the fact that the UK is a part of the European Union (EU).

I would also point out, when referring to the islands collectively, say for metereological or geographical purposes, they are are often referred to as the British Isles. For example, the British Isles lie off the northern coast of the continent.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

... The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are British Crown Dependencies but are not part of the UK ...

Correct.

[desertgrandma]

'sigh.

Going to lie down and put a cold cloth on my aching head now...........

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

'sigh.

Going to lie down and put a cold cloth on my aching head now...........

Thank you.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Going to lie down ...

A tea break would be more appropriate.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by boxcorner

A tea break would be more appropriate.

don't push your luck - desertgrandma has a big stick and a short temper!

[Fbone]

At the moment the UK has a total of 21 votes when added together.

Most of my friends refer to the UK by it's individual countries probably cause we are accustomed to the US and all it's parts.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by Fbone

At the moment the UK has a total of 21 votes when added together.

Most of my friends refer to the UK by it's individual countries probably cause we are accustomed to the US and all it's parts.

I think the most appropriate wording depends entirely on the context.

For example:

Texas hostage standoff at Chase bank ends and Tornadoes kill seven in south and mid-western US
Prescription charges to go in Scotland and The UK covered in snow

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by boxcorner

I think the most appropriate wording depends entirely on the context.

Originally Posted by Michael Flanders

The rule is: if we've done anything good, it's "another triumph for Great Britain*" and if we haven't, it's "England loses again".

*Great Britain is correct in this context — in international sporting events the UK is always GB.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

*Great Britain is correct in this context — in international sporting events the UK is always GB.

And, GB is the recognised format in the EU for British vehicle registration plates, but I believe the choice of the initials GB is a carry-over from the past - if the system was set up today, the initials used would be UK.

Note that registration plates in Northern Ireland are also GB. So, if Sinn Féin MPs drive vehicles registered in Northern Ireland, they bear GP plates. Imagine how popular that is. Similarly, Protestants in Northern Ireland who are so fond of the Union Jack and fiercely proud of being part of the UK, have to drive around in vehicles bearing GB plates, instead of UK ones.

I disagree that in international sporting events, the UK is always GB, once again I think it really depends on the context, who the team is representing, and whether, or not, you are thinking of the UK's component parts, also the journalist's location plays a part. Whereas some people in the UK sometimes still use GB in reference to some sporting events, where the team represents the whole of the UK, some people outside the the UK use UK, instead.

For example:

Pakistan vs England - in cricket, France vs Wales - in rugby, Rory McIlroy was awarded a place for finishing third at the Open Championship for Northern Ireland, while Scotland's Martin Laird qualified from his Tour Championship, and so on.

Perhaps this is what you had in mind, since you are in the UK, Heather Mills chosen in GB ski development squad, but then there's UK actuary wins World Full-bore Rifle-Shooting Championships in Canada and UK Wins Curling Gold!, presumably written by someone in the US.

However, I agree that the terminology of the British Isles is a complete minefield.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by Ivy

I'm thinking we should have gone by continents

That wouldn't work, because most Britons don't consider themselves, or the UK, to be part of Europe.

[Ivy]

Originally Posted by boxcorner

That wouldn't work, because most Britons don't consider themselves, or the UK, to be part of Europe.

I know we have our differences, but that doesn't change the fact that it IS in Europe.

I do see how that could be too vague, though.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Ivy

I know we have our differences, but that doesn't change the fact that it IS in Europe.

I do see how that could be too vague, though.

Because I was interested in the members posting from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Italy, etc.......not just from "Europe".

Those are all different countries with different cultures.....

[maianhvk]

hmm, I'm wondering why I don't see any Asia country apart from India :-? you should consider adding another choice: Asia perhaps. (as if India makes up the whole Asia continent!)

(sigh) anyway, I'm from a small country called Vietnam.

[Ivy]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Because I was interested in the members posting from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Italy, etc.......not just from "Europe".

Those are all different countries with different cultures.....

As I said, I realize why continents is too vague and separating by countries is a better choice, though mixing England, Scotland, Wales and Spain/Italy is like apples and a fruit salad.

I think it's best if there's United Kingdom [of Great Britain and Northern Ireland] which includes of course England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales that now appear separately.

If one starts to differentiate within UK and specify for example Wales or England, one could do the same with other countries, like Spain and it's autonomous communities and make a difference between Catalonia, Andalusia and Basque -- they even have different languages! Then the same could be applied through other countries: one could list all the states in the US, then in order to be fair move to yet another country and.... things get messy.
On a board with members from so many different countries I feel it's best we stick with the basics.


In the end, it makes no difference to me how UK or any other country is presented here. I am still impressed there is Croatia.