Topics for Composition and Discussion

• Is it good to give support to children until they reach maturity and often also from then on?

• The differences in the Western and Eastern outlooks.

• The country’s ‘bordering’ is a key factor in its historical development.

Text b. Scottish Is Not English

What is cultural identity? There is no easy answer to this question. Our cultural identity defines who we are, and what other people think of us. In very broad terms, it is about your association with a number of important social groups, including family, gender, place of residence, and economic position.

Cultural identity may be clearer to some people than it may be to others. Although many Americans, for example, identify with their Irish, West African, Chinese, or Mexican roots (among many others), they may still know themselves to be American.

‘Scottish national identity’ is a term referring to the sense of ethnic identity and common culture of Scottish people and is shared by a considerable majority of the people of Scotland. In recent times, people in Scotland have started to show a greater interest in their cultural identity. There has been a renaissance in the study of Scottish cultural heritage, including literature, languages (Scots, English and Gaelic), myths, cultural symbols over the last 20 years.

Most of Scotland's people take pride in their country. Their friendliness is famous throughout the world. Scotland boasts a beautiful natural landscape, impressive architecture, sporting events, rich cultural life.

Wales shares a close political and social history with the rest of Great Britain, but it has retained (зберіг) a distinct cultural identity. Wales is officially bilingual, the Welsh and English languages having equal status. The Welsh language is an important element of Welsh culture, and its use is supported by national policy. Over 580,000 Welsh speakers live in Wales, more than 20% of the population.

Wales is often known by the phrase "the Land of Song" (Welsh: Gwlad y Gân), and its people love singing, poetry and music.

Perhaps the most well-known musical image of Wales is that of the choir. Very old is the tradition of instrumental folk music. The harp has been closely associated with Wales for a very long time.

Wales also has a long tradition of folk song which is now flourishing again.

Most in Wales today regard themselves as modern Celts, claiming a heritage back to the Iron Age tribes.

The relationship between the Welsh and English within Great Britain is mostly characterized by tolerance, respect, and an intermixing of people and cultures. However, there are elements of mutual mistrust or dislike.

On the other hand, the relationship between the Irish and English has never been free of problems. A reader might ask: What is the reason for such problems? Here are some answers to this question by Irish respondents.

• The English were generally an arrogant (зневажливий, зарозумілий) colonizing race. They considered the Irish being less human and not having a right to their own land. Religion was used to justify the colonization. England has shown deep contempt for the unique culture of Ireland.

• I realize that the English people today are not responsible but their ancestors were animals, they called us uncivilized but they were the ones who took our culture! Here I am typing in English because they took our language, too!

• The English have never been civilized; they have always looked on different cultures as primitive and savage (дикий). So it isn't only the Irish who hate them.

• I think that most Irish people do not hate the English but Ireland was Britain's most troublesome colony; all our problems are in the past.

• I’m Irish and I don’t hate the English.

Exercise 14.

• Read Text B and answer the following questions:

How do we define our cultural identity?

Explain the similarity between the English attitude toward the Irish and the English attitude toward American natives.

What is the most important aspect of cultural identity in Wales?

What is your cultural background?

What are some things that you value because your culture values those things?

How well do your beliefs and values fit in with your culture's values?

Have clashes between your values and those promoted by your culture harmed (зашкодили) you?