How to understand the difference between the UK and Great Britain | Learn English | British Council

Practice exercise: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/how/how-understand-difference-betwe...

Do you find it difficult to understand the difference between the UK and Great Britain?

Transcript

Man: So where are you from?

Woman: Scotland. Are you Scottish too?

Man: Well no, I'm English actually, but... you know... it's all like the same thing, isn't it?

Woman: Not exactly.

Man: Go on! Isn't Scotland just like well, a bit of England?

Woman: No, it is not!

Man: Sorry, Britain I mean.

Woman: "Britain" is not "England"!

Man: Well yeah... I know that, I'm not stupid or anything... but Britain's like, England, Scotland and Wales, isn't it?

Woman: Not exactly.

Man: Yeah, it is; the UK, the United Kingdom.

Woman: The United Kingdom is "Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland".

Man: Oh I see, but we're all like the same nation, aren't we?

Woman: Not really. Four nations, one state.

Man: Oh, I get it! So the UK (is) like the same as Great Britain...

Woman: Great Britain is a geographical term -- it's a big island with Scotland, England, and Wales on it.

Man: All right, but we all have the same prime minister, don't we?

Woman: Yes, and the same head of state.

Man: The Queen!

Woman: Exactly.

Man: And the same government?

Woman: Well, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own local parliaments.

Man: Oh. I see.

Woman: It's complicated.

Man: Yeah, I can see that.

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[MsOneiroi77]

@bunnyboilerboi24 but you wouldn't be wrong in saying British, being born on the Island of Britain and having British citizen on your passport. But I guess its down to personal preference.

[dpaajones]

It's really not that complicated - people just like to make things complicated.

The UK is made up of four parts (call them what you like - I'd struggle calling Northern Ireland a nation) of which three are on Great Britain, an island, and the other on the island of Ireland.

There, simple.

I notice that the map the British Council use doesn't show England but the English regions. Why? Why not just show England as England and not break it up into the 'Euro regions'??

[bunnyboilerboi24]

Whenever people ask me where i am from when im away, i NEVER say United Kingdom, as i am not from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. The same applies for Great Britain. I always say i am from England because thats where im from. As much as i love Scotland, Ireland and wales (and i really do) when people ask i say England, and then usually go on to explain that England is not the UK or GB without the other 3 countries, and as i am only from 1 then i dont think of myself as british but English.

[devilboyphantom]

Bloody English grrrrrrr hate-em

[TheLingqi]

No wonder people from other countries are confused.... its the English people who need to learn... Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all know about the U.K. its just the English who call it Great Britain. Even the News media refer to G.B. when they talk about the U.K.

Or programmes on T.V. about Great Britian, who then show us scenes from Northern Ireland?

The British Council need to teach the native English people. Then visitors will not be confused.

[TheLingqi]

The British Olymic Association say 'there is only one olympic team from Great Britain and Northern Ireland' TEAM G.B. So when did Northern Ireland become part of the G.B?

And why do they fly the Union Flag of the U.K. and call it G.B.

The G.B. Union Flag (act of union 1707) is different from the Union flag of the U.K. (1801)English people say its the same thing? and / or that Ireland is now independant.

A British passport says 'UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND'

[mikeymikemikey1]

not that complicated Jesus!!!!!

[scotchprofessor]

Wonderful Scottish accent...

Go to any 'British' Council, where the policy is not to supply any 'regional' newspapers, and you'll find all periodicals are the English-only version. No Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish. So, 'British' Council, what's the difference between England and the 'United' Kingdom?

[kingnick104]

is it not only assmeblys for wales and northern ireland an parliament for scotland wales will be a parliament soon but is not yet

[87mikegv]

I think it's not very complicated =P