04 – Identity
The loyalties and senses of identity, most typically felt by British people.
Ethnic identity:
Scotland
Several important Scottish aspects of public life are organized separately and differently from the
rest of Britain just as education and the legal and welfare system. The Scottish way of speaking
English is very distinctive. Many symbols of Scottishness are well known throughout Britain.
Wales
The Organization of public life is similar to that of England. There aren’t as many symbols in everyday
life of Welshness than of Scottishness. A large minority of the people in Wales don’t even consider
themselves Welsh at all. Though the Welsh don’t have that much symbols, the Welsh language is a
highly important symbol of their identity. For about 20% of the population, the mother-tongue is
Welsh. Children learn Welsh at school, there are local newspapers in Welsh, a Welsh television
channel and all signs are written in Welsh and English.
England
The English identity, distinct from British, is becoming clearer in the last century. Now England has
their own anthem and waves their own flag (St. George cross) at football games. The majority of
people in England say that they feel British, though when you look at the results of people who
proclaimed to feel English, teenagers were on the bigger hand than adults.
Other Ethnic identities:
In addition, the ethnic identities of the four nations in GB don’t differ that much. The same is for
people whose origins lie in Europe, but now live in GB.
The situation is different for people whose family roots lie elsewhere in the world. There are
hundreds of different ethnicities represented in Britain. Two major groupings may be identified:
Black Caribbeans
Most members of this community were born in Britain. The great wave of immigrants began in 1948
when 500 Jamaicans and Trinidadians arrived (after WOII) on the steamship Empire Windrush. The
black Caribbeans are nearest to those of the white majority. They are in the same proportions
Christian or non-religious people. Their language (creole or patwa) stands on the same relation to
English as Scottish does. Caribbean culture had several influences on the English culture. Music from
the Caribbeans has taken root in Britain. Black Caribbeans today often take pride in their cultural
roots.
Asians
The first wave of Asians took place at the same time as that from the Caribbean. The second took
place in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The following decades saw continued Asian immigration,
though at a slower rate.
Asians mostly stuck together, married Asian people so they have retained their language and culture.
Though all the people from the Indian subcontinent are named Asians here, there are cultural
differences among the groups. The level of education from Indians is above British average though
people from Pakistan are below average. Also in religion there are clear differences.
Some young British Muslims have reacted against their parents in attempt to become ‘more British’
in culture. Though people of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin have been able to get
comfortable with the British culture.
The loyalties and senses of identity, most typically felt by British people.
Ethnic identity:
Scotland
Several important Scottish aspects of public life are organized separately and differently from the
rest of Britain just as education and the legal and welfare system. The Scottish way of speaking
English is very distinctive. Many symbols of Scottishness are well known throughout Britain.
Wales
The Organization of public life is similar to that of England. There aren’t as many symbols in everyday
life of Welshness than of Scottishness. A large minority of the people in Wales don’t even consider
themselves Welsh at all. Though the Welsh don’t have that much symbols, the Welsh language is a
highly important symbol of their identity. For about 20% of the population, the mother-tongue is
Welsh. Children learn Welsh at school, there are local newspapers in Welsh, a Welsh television
channel and all signs are written in Welsh and English.
England
The English identity, distinct from British, is becoming clearer in the last century. Now England has
their own anthem and waves their own flag (St. George cross) at football games. The majority of
people in England say that they feel British, though when you look at the results of people who
proclaimed to feel English, teenagers were on the bigger hand than adults.
Other Ethnic identities:
In addition, the ethnic identities of the four nations in GB don’t differ that much. The same is for
people whose origins lie in Europe, but now live in GB.
The situation is different for people whose family roots lie elsewhere in the world. There are
hundreds of different ethnicities represented in Britain. Two major groupings may be identified:
Black Caribbeans
Most members of this community were born in Britain. The great wave of immigrants began in 1948
when 500 Jamaicans and Trinidadians arrived (after WOII) on the steamship Empire Windrush. The
black Caribbeans are nearest to those of the white majority. They are in the same proportions
Christian or non-religious people. Their language (creole or patwa) stands on the same relation to
English as Scottish does. Caribbean culture had several influences on the English culture. Music from
the Caribbeans has taken root in Britain. Black Caribbeans today often take pride in their cultural
roots.
Asians
The first wave of Asians took place at the same time as that from the Caribbean. The second took
place in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The following decades saw continued Asian immigration,
though at a slower rate.
Asians mostly stuck together, married Asian people so they have retained their language and culture.
Though all the people from the Indian subcontinent are named Asians here, there are cultural
differences among the groups. The level of education from Indians is above British average though
people from Pakistan are below average. Also in religion there are clear differences.
Some young British Muslims have reacted against their parents in attempt to become ‘more British’
in culture. Though people of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin have been able to get
comfortable with the British culture.
