Тема №2

English Character

The representatives of one and the same nature have much in common. Thus we can speak about typical national character, which is influenced with many factors.

Great Britain is an island separated from the European continent so its geographical situation and climate influence its inhabitants. The most striking features of English life are the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. Englishmen are naturally polite and are never tired in saying “Thank you”, “I’m sorry”. But the English people have also been known as superior, snobbish and unsociable.

The British have a strong sense of being different from others. They keep up the left side of the road and use double-deckers. They stick to their own measurement system and continue to measure distances in miles (not kilometers) and yards (not metres). They buy cheese in pounds and ounces, milk in pints, petrol in gallons.

English people don’t like to display their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations. The Englishman prefers his own house to an apartment in a block of flats because he doesn’t wish to be overlooked by his neighbours. They say ”An Englishman’s house is his castle”.

They are rather conservative in many ways. They love familiar things. They keep old traditions. The Britons are practical and realistic. English people are famous for their sense of humor which one can find in numerous limericks, jokes, nursery rhymes and tongue twisters.

English people show great love for animals. Pet dogs, cats, canaries and many other animals have good life in Britain.

11. Find the equivalents of the following words:

представители одной национальности; имеют много общего; влияют многие факторы; остров б, отделённый от европейского континента; влияет на его жителей; самые удивительные черты; самодисциплина и учтивость; вежливы от природы; никогда не устают говорить; высокомерный, необщительный; чувство того, что они не такие как другие; придерживаются левой стороны дороги; двухэтажный автобус; придерживаются собственной системы мер; измеряют расстояние; в милях (1609м) и ярдах (914,4 мм); в фунтах (453,6 г) и унциях (28,3 г); пинта (0,57 л); галлон (4,54 л); проявлять эмоции; предпочитает собственный дом квартире; не желает, чтобы за ним наблюдали соседи; любят знакомые вещи; хранят традиции; известны своим чувством юмора

12. Answer the questions:

13. What factors influence the character of the English?

14. What are the most striking features of English life?

15. What positive trends of character do the English possess?

16. What negative features do they have?

17. How is the British sense of being different from others displayed in everyday life?

18. What is the correlation of some English measures and traditionally adopted ones in Europe?

7. Do English people like to display their emotions?

8. Why do they prefer a separate house to a department in a block of flats?

9. What proverb proves the Englishman’s love to his house?

19. Where one can find the evidences of the British sense of humor?

20. Do the English show the great love for animals?