英美概况(英国部分)笔记.doc

28An Outline Introduction to Britain Lecture 1: The country and the peopleNames and positions The British Isles., the largest one: Great Britain. often shortened to Britain; 1,000 kilo-meters from south to north, the widest part, about 500 km from west to east. total area of the U. K. is only a little more than 240,000 square km population: 57.4 million (1990). Three political areas, also known as three countries: England, Scotland, Wales. England: largest and most developed, more than 130,000 square km, nearly 60% of the whole island.Its population is more than 47 million and makes up 85% of the countrys whole population. To the west of Great Britain is the second largest island known as Ireland. Ireland was once an independent country and there had emerged many kingdoms before the Anglo-Norman invaders conquered it in the 13th century. Henry VIII was the first king to bring Ireland under control. In 1610 many Scottish immigrants came and establish a colony in Ulster (northern Ireland). Since most of the English Protestant settlers refused to separate themselves from their home country, they occupied the northeast corner, about 14,000 square kilometers, of the island and kept it within the United Kingdom, which thus became known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland, also known as Ulster, has a population of 1.5 million. About one-third of them are Roman Catholics who are opposed to the unification of Northern Ireland with Great Britain. The Catholic extremists organized the Irish Republican Army in 1916 when an uprising was suppressed in Dublin. At first it fought for the independence of Ireland, but now it uses terrorism in an effort to unite Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland. Their terrorism has caused many deaths and injuries. Since they can get some help from abroad, even from American Catholics, the problem has become a serious headache for the British government. Now the British Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland are working together so as to bring peace into Northern Ireland. Britain does not share a land border with any other countries except the Republic of Ireland. To the southeast and across the English Channel is France, and at its narrowest part the Channel is only thirty-three kilometers in width. Today England is linked with France by the Channel Tunnel that runs underground beneath the English Channel. The tunnel, finished in 1994, by British and France private investors, main tunnel is 59 km long, from Folkestone to Calais, average depth of 40 meters below the seabed. 35 minutes train ride.British IslesHighland zone:1. the highlands of Scotland: with an elevation of 600-900m2. the central lowlands of Scotland: middle valley, capital city, Edinburgh3. the southern uplands: moorland country4. pennies: backbone of England. 5. The lake district 6. The Welsh massif (断层块) lowland zone: Scottish highland Climate and weather ：Britain has a maritime climate characterized by abundant rainfall. In West Britain the annual average rainfall is about 1,000 mm while in the east and southeast the yearly precipitation amounts to more than 700 mm. Whats more, the rainfall is distributed almost evenly through the twelve months of the year. As a result, there is neither wet season nor dry season in Britain, though autumn is the rainiest time with its rainfall amounting to 28% of the years total. But there are exceptions: the west part of Britain receives the greater part of the years rainfall in winter while in the east the greater proportion of the years rainfall occurs in summer.1. What factors influencing English weather? A. geographical position B. narrow and long island country C. no high mountain The largest river: Severn River; 2 The second largest river: Thames River 3 Important lakes: Clyde RiverPeople About two thousand years ago, Britain was inhabited by tribes of people traditionally known as the Celts ( Britons) . The Celts in England were conquered by the Romans in the first century A.D. After the Romans left, other tribes of people from North Europe, traditionally known as the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, started to invade England. The Celts were defeated and many of them fled into the mountainous areas in Scotland and Wales. The Anglo-Saxons kept their ruling position as the master of England for several hundred years before they were conquered by the Normans from Normandy. The Norman Conquest was the last invasion of England by foreigners, but immigrations continued to add to the English population The British population is unevenly distributed over the country, with England accommodating some 85% of the total. The most densely populated areas are the London and Thames estuary areas, the West Yorkshire and north-western industrial cities, the Midlands with Birmingham as one of its districts, and areas along the Tyne River, the Tees River, and the English Channel coast. Britain has about 3 million farmers, less than 2% of the total population. And its countryside is not densely populated. The language Beginning with the fifth century, some Germanic tribes known as the Anglo-Saxons started their invasion of England. Their conquest of the island country was so successful that their language, Old English, soon after became the dominant language on the island. The development of English is usually divided into three major periods: 1. Old English(5th-12th century) No one can tell the exact time when Old English came into being in Northern Europe. To make the matter simple, we may assume that it began in the early fifth century when the Anglo-Saxons started their invasion of England and turned the island into an English country. Old English was an inflected language in which relations of the words in the sentence were mainly indicated by the use of case endings. 2. Middle English(12th-15th century) The Middle English period began soon after the Norman Conquest in 1066. After the arrival of Normans, London became more important as a center of population and activities. London standard English gradually became the basis of the dialect used in the proximity of London. And this finally gave birth to the official English language.The arrival of the Normans with their French language also influenced the English spelling. Their writings also caused a large number of French words to enter the English language during the 14th and 15th centuries.During the same period, Latin words continued to flow in, but mainly for stylistic device in writing, especially by poets. 3. Modern English(15th century) By the end of the 15th century, London English had been accepted as a standard literary language in most parts of the country. One of the reasons was that printing was introduced into England in 1746. In 1755, Samuel Johnson worked out his Dictionary which helped to establish a fixed spelling of the English words and define their meaning. The quality of the English language was greatly improved by extensive borrowing which enabled it to have a large vocabulary for various purposes. But that is not the only reason for English to be qualified as an international language. The expansion of the British Empire helped to spread English into many countries and places all over the world. Now English is spoken as the native language in the United States, Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean and South Africa. In some other countries English is used as the second language, a language necessary for certain officials as well as for social, commercial and educational activities. These countries include India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines, Ethiopian and a number of other countries. English is also one of the working languages of the United Nations. English is the primary medium for modern science and technology. Almost all famous scholars and scientists seek to publish their research papers in English. If we take economic factors in consideration, we find that the combined GNP of the English-speaking countries and places takes up more than half of the worlds total. Thats why English is still regarded as the most important international language.Religion The British law protects religion freedom. The majority of the British people believe Christianity. The first Christian church was established at Canterbury in 597. The British law requires all schools to provide religious education and collective worship for all students. The church still greatly influences the British morality and British way of doing things. E.g. Prince Charles was not allowed to remarry because he is the would-be head of the Church of England and the church refused to tolerate his divorce case. Most of the marriages in Britain are performed in church. Religion still influences policies and education. The union flag: three crosses flag The Union Flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. Because it combines the emblems of the three countries united under one Sovereign - the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (although since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom). The term Union Jack possibly dates from Queen Annes time (reigned 1702-14), but its origin is uncertain. It may come from the jack-et of the English or Scottish soldiers; or from the name of James I who originated the first union in 1603, in either its Latin or French form Jacobus or Jacques; or, as jack once meant small, the name may be derived from a royal proclamation issued by Charles II that the Union Flag should be flown only by ships of the Royal Navy as a jack, a small flag at the bowsprit.The flag consists of three crosses: 1. The cross of St George, patron saint(守护神)of England since the 1270s, isa red cross on a white ground. 2. The cross saltier of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, is a diagonal white cross on a blue ground.3. The cross saltier of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is a diagonal (对角线) red cross on a white ground. The Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union Flag. This is because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, the Principality of Wales by that time was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality. Two established churches in the U.K. : church of England (Anglican Church)、Church of Scotland The Church of Scotlands governing system is Presbyterian in nature, which means the organization is run by a system of courts at local, district and national level rather than by individuals. The role of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is an honorary one, held for 12 months. It involves carrying out a series of visits to several Church of Scotland presbyteries, as well as undertaking a number of international tours during the year. Questions for reviewing 1. What are the three main parts of Great Britain? Which is more important？ 2. What is the symbolized meaning of the Union Jack? 3. What is the weather like in Great Britain? 4. How is English developed?Extensive reading About the relation of the three kingdoms of Great Britain. The development of religion in England. The formation of the national flag What is the importance of The Thames River to England?Lecture 2 The British GovernmentQuestion for previewing 1 What is the Constitutional Monarchy ? How does it works?2. How is the British Cabinet formed?3. How is the British Parliament formed? 4. How are the members selected of each House?The Constitutional Monarchy n The U.K. is the founder of the CM-that is , the head of state is monarch with limited powers.n The monarch reigns, but does not rule. The Queenn The Queen personifies the State. The British people look to the Queen not only as their head of State, but also as the symbol of the national unity. n She appoints the prime minister and other ministers on the advice of the prime minister. n She is head of the judiciary and the commander-in-chief of all armed forces of the Crown. n She must be regularly informed and consulted on every aspect of national life.n Bills passed by Parliament must get her approval before going into effect. This means she can veto bills passed by Parliament. But the powers enjoyed by the Queen are nowhere exactly defined by law.n Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603 )n There is no knowing what will happen if the Queen does not agree with the Government, but fortunately she has given her consent to all governmental decisions.n In social life, she embodies the highest standard of morality and good manners. n In foreign relations she enjoys the highest standard of diplomatic protocol. n To displease the Queen means to displease the English nation.n Queen Victoria ( (1819-1901)The central governmentn The English Central Government includes the Monarch (king or Queen), Parliament, and the Cabinet.n But technically, the Government refers to the Cabinet, which is headed by the Prime Minister.n The Cabinet is the nucleus（核心） of the government and all its members are chosen from among the Members of Parliament. n This makes the English government known as the Parliamentary government or Cabinet government.Parliament n Parliament is the law making body. It passes laws for the whole nation as well as for particular regions. But the bills or Acts passed by Parliament must be approved by the Monarch before they go into effect. n The English Parliament consists of three elements: the Queen, the House of Lords,( the Upper House) and the House of Commons (the Lower House). They are outwardly separate, but they work as a single body. n Parliament is free to make, unmake or alter any law because there is no written constitution to limit its power .But Parliament is not required to carry out the laws it has passed. This is done by the executive branch. The Cabinetn The executive branch. or officially called Her Majestys Government, consists of the Cabinet and various departments. n All the ministers, under the direction of the prime minister, are responsible to Parliament for the administration of national affairs. They are responsible to Parliament for the execution of laws passed by Parliament. n The Cabinet is the most powerful and it serves as the nucleus of the Government. Its function includes the final determination of policies, the supreme control of Government, and the coordination of Government work of different departments. n The Cabinet, composed of ministers of departments of the government and headed by the prime minister. All the ministers must speak in one voice on government policies. n The prime minister has the power to choose and remove other ministers.The Cabinet (2)n Every Tuesday during Parliament, Secretaries of State from all departments and some other ministers meet in the Cabinet room in Downing Street to discuss the big issues of the day. Meetings are currently attended by 22 paid ministers and one unpaid minister appointed to Cabinet, and six other invited ministers and peers.n Government Cabinets have met in the same room since 1856, when it was called the Council Chamber.Local Governments (1)The English government is a three-tiered government: central government, county government and district government. The central government enforces laws through local governments.n The largest local administrative areas are called counties which were once called “shires”. And many counties, such as Yorkshire, Lancashire and Wiltshire, still retain “shire” as part of their names. The Local Government Act of 1972 divided England outside London into 45 counties of which 6 are metropolitan counties.n All the counties in England have a similar two-tiered system in which each county is subdivided into a number of districts. Local Governments (2)n Every county and district has its own governing body known as the “council. County councils and city councils are elected by local inhabitants every three years.n Council members are called Councilors who elect their Chairman once a year. The Chairman of the city Council is called Mayor or Lord Mayor.n Councilors and their Chairmen are not salaried. They are expected to serve the public in their spare time and without getting any pay. n A local council is like a local Parliament. Its work is to make local laws and supervise the work of local government employees House of Lords (1)n The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament.n It has 731 members, eight of whom are currently on a leave of absence. n The House of Lords is an unelected body, consisting of two archbishops and twenty-four bishops of the established Church of England and 706 members of the Peerage.House of Lords (2)n all legislation excluding money bills passed by the House of Commons can be delayed for twelve months, but cannot be rejected. n the House of Lords also holds judicial powers: it constitutes the highest court of appeal for most cases in the United Kingdom. The Lord Chancellor Unlike the House of Commons, the House of Lords does not elect its own Speaker; rather, the ex officio presiding officer is the Lord Chancellor. n The Lord Chancellor is not only the Speaker of the House of Lords, but also a member of the Cabinet; his or her department, is now called the Department for Constitutional Affairs.n Thus, the Lord Chancellor is a part of all three branches of Government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The House of Commonsn The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament. n The House of Co