Ignoring the limitation and political goalof GERS and the fact that only Scotland, London & the South East of England’s are net tax raising contributors to the UK economy, Instead of playing the grievance card maybe look towards the UK Gov re trading laws
Sunday trading and the limits of EVEL
“ But, in fact, the Speaker’s provisional certification decision confirmed that he would not have certified the provision as English and Welsh only. This is almost certainly because of the way in which the government drafted its proposal”
Except of course Scotland spends more than it raises.
And England raises more than it spends.
? Were they all in Scottish waters, Scottish companies and discovered and crewed by Scotsmen?
So, a list of authors plus (curiously) a fictional character.
Let’s start with Shakespeare. He was undeniably English, there’s no getting away from that, but most of his plays were set in continental Europe. On the other hand, Arthur Conan Doyle was Scottish, as wasDr. Joseph Bell, the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes, which fictional character in turn had a French grandmother.
The truth is that England is historically and culturally intertwined with other countries, especially those on the European continent. And if you are of a certain age, then there’s a fair chance you spent more time at school studying the European ancient world and its languages than Britain and English. Further, Classics (Greats) was traditionally more prestigious than English Lit. at university (NB BJ & references to Carthage etc.) And I could go on (e.g., Neoclassical architecture, or Shelley, Byron and the “Grand Tour”, blah blah).
This is not to say that England has no culture of its own. It does. However, it’s one that is not easily separated from (especially) European culture or defined ( a list of English authors is not a satisfactory definition of English culture).
Even the English language itself is an amalgam of Germanic relics, of Old French, Latin, Greek and much more with locally coined additions thrown in. Art, architecture, science, language, philosophy, religion, the lot has drawn from and been inspired by foreign contributions and, in turn, has inspired people elsewhere.
The trouble - or a trouble - with nationalism is that it tends towards a reduced view of the world and does not fully acknowledge the interplay between countries. In its most crude form it leads to a sort of blindness to the complexity of the world.
To finish up: on occasion I’m inclined to think English culture is (paradoxically and as I would prefer it) defined by its opposition to the idea of a defined national culture. Therefore, the very act of trying to define it is, in a way, an act of cultural self-destruction.
And I would like to think of England as post-national. Really, what matters ultimately is not some idea about nationhood but what you can do, what you add to the world that is new and great. If some notion of Englishness acts as positive inspiration, then fine, but it’s that, your contribution, that matters the most.
Anyway, my apologies if that’s a bit crass. As a scientist I’ve always been somewhat conscious that I’m a bit unpolished and essays aren’t my thing.
Hmm a lot of very weak arguments. Ok.
To make them seem a bit more “exotic” to audiences. People travel to Stratford to see where the bard was born and lived. He set some of the plays abroad just to add a bit of interest. He hadn’t been there and neither had the audience. Hollywood and filmmaking is a part of US culture. Guess what, some of the output is set abroad, just a lots of use of sets etc. Still part of US culture.
Star Trek is American scifi culture but set on fictional worlds and a reworking of plots that were originally Westerns or seafaring novels. Because a Shakespeare play is set abroad doesn't mean he isn't part of our culture. In the same way Kirk on "Vulcan" doesn't mean "Vulcan" culture.
Obvious you haven't even bothered reading the thread. Post 38...
Seems you are so desperate to deny that there is an English culture within a few paragraphs you are using contrasting arguments.
Shakespeare doesn’t count as he set plays abroad. But Conan’s Sherlock doesn’t count as the author was originally born in Scotland when they are set at 221B Baker St, London! Or is it that nothing counts at all?
Why do tourists come to England at all then?
The truth is England has its own distinctive culture the same as any other place. Try buying a pint of bitter, a Vindaloo, and watching a game of cricket in Germany.
Again see previous posts. Did you read them? Going to argue Scotland doesn’t have a culture next?
But surely they don’t exist either? As they will have been “historically and culturally intertwined with other countries, especially those on the European continent.”
Again contrasting arguments.
England doesn't have a culture as it is made of other cultures but you then use examples from elsewhere which on examination will then be undermined by your own point.
Why are you so desperate to try to deny something that obviously exists?
culture
/ˈkʌltʃə/
noun
1.
the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
"20th century popular culture"
synonyms: the arts, the humanities; More2.
the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
"Afro-Caribbean culture"
synonyms: civilization, society, way of life, lifestyle; MoreExactly. There is a huge amount to English culture. Hence the other posts, the link to Wiki etc.
So English doesn’t exist. This is good. C’est la vie. I think you will find all languages include loan words and influences from other languages. They are still distinctive.
Why are you linking culture with Nationalism? Sitting on an English lawn watching cricket with a pint of bitter, is "English." Nationalism is entirely different.
Also you can enjoy English culture in the same way as you can enjoy any others.
What "reduced view of the world?" As i have said before.
I think you have a "reduced view" as you seem keen to dismiss something that exists.
I think you just have a huge amount of "opposition." I have no idea why.
Honestly, Sonic. What a ridiculous overreaction. You know what is the most un-English thing of all? It’s taking yourself too seriously, me old muckerdata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Anyway, for your amusement only (I’m absolutely not making a point):
Home - Deutscher Cricket Bund
Err you went to the trouble of making a long post denying English culture exists but don't like a rebuttal?
Englishness doesn't exist so we're good. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7