Transcript UK - HIO

Introduction to British Society:
The UK vs. the US,
Britons vs. Americans
10 January 2011
Tone Holt Nielsen and
Sigrid Brevik Wangsness
Introduction of the course


Structure of the course: lecture
series and group sessions
Lecture plan - syllabus in British
society

Why British society? Goals

Relevance for your exam
British English and American English

Examples of differences




Pronunciations
Vocabulary
The same language!
An advantage if you choose a
version of the language that other
people understand...
Britain and the U.S.A.

Special relationship?
(Shared history, culture, language)


Military cooperation
Personal ties between heads of
states:
Thatcher/Reagan, Clinton/Blair,
Bush/Blair. Obama/ Cameron?
National Characteristics and Values

How do Americans see the Brits?
Bill Bryson: Notes from a Small
Island

What do you consider ”typical”
for the British people? For
Americans?
Is there one British national character?



Problems of stereotyping/
generalizations
Outside vs. inside perspectives –
nuances
National characteristics vs. one
national identity
Why is it difficult to generalize about
the British (and Americans)?

A multicultural society

Regional differences

Class differences

Professional differences

Individual differences
British Values


Still, the following values have been
considered characteristic of British
society:
1. Stability
2. Tradition
3. Conservatism (resistance to
change)
Examples of how these values are
reflected in society in various ways?
Changing British Values (?)

Recent changes in values?
- A more “achievement-based”
culture?
- Increased individualism?
- More competition?
- More focus on the market?
- Change as a good thing for Britain?
Rebranding Britain


Modern Britain: “Cool Britannia” (?)
Images of a traditional/ oldfashioned society hard to change

The 2012 Olympics

British brands: products/ services