I have questions for all the UK peoples, Forgive my american Options

[97celiman]

Alright so it being the end of my senior year and my dad a pilot, we are talking about an end of the year trip overseas to europe. I'm not really in to the whole, tour all of europe in 14 days deal, this will probably be one MAYBE two countries and i'm pretty sure i get to pick. obviously since i am american i am not fluent in any other language, unlike a certain german exchange student friend of mine who makes me feel retarted everyday with his tri-lingualness.

Anyway, my dad has been to both france and italy with his parents a few times. My whole family crazy opera, wine, and dem. loving people (in texas! i know, its crazy) I however didn't really want to go to either (not because i dont like them i would just rather go elsewhere) My heritage is almost perfectly divided 3 ways between Welsh, French and Irish-hence the interest

So basically i have questions about the "UK" i put it in quotes b/c im confused as to what is considered the "UK"
1) Am i correct in saying it is England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales?

2) Why is it Prince Henry of Wales and not England?

3) What are some of the ahhh rivalries? within scotland england ireland etc.?

4) Is wales a part of england or the uk (as in Mexico being part of US or north america)

5) If i go to England, is there really that much of a language barrier, we say coupe with a silent 'e' that sort of thing, my dad says there still would be even though it is both english (compared to me going to france although i should mention my stepmom is fluent in spanish, french, japanese, probably some other i cant remember so this would be a plus in france that sort of thing)


7) The other big reason i want to go to the UK is just the history, the norman, roman, anglo-saxon, beowulf history surrounding it (and braveheart! jk)
I find the british conquests interesting the scottish independence that sort of thing. can anyone recommend and good books to read that would explain this more? (i liked guns, germs and steel but that was very broad)

8) finally, please forgive me if i offended anyone, but i figured i'd ask now before i go there. im doing this as part of my research(ing) just wanted opinions from the natives.

9) if anyone can think of anything else write it up

10) thanks, i have a snow day (well ice day) here so i had to do something (i know snow day in texas!!!!) im sure people up north would scoff at this weather

This post has been edited by 97celiman: Jan 27, 2009 - 8:10 PM

[BloodyStupidDave...]

So basically i have questions about the "UK" i put it in quotes b/c im confused as to what is considered the "UK"
1) Am i correct in saying it is England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales?

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI) form the UK. To further confuse you, it is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - NI isn't part of Great Britain but the other three are.

2) Why is it Prince Henry of Wales and not England?

It is a title and style rather than a reign. A bit like your titles Commander and Chief and so on. The Prince of Wales is the title for the Heir Apparent ("HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales") and his sons adopt the equivalent titles ("HRH Prince William of Wales" for Prince William and "HRH Prince Henry of Wales" for Prince Harry as he likes to be called) as second and third in of succession for 16 Independent States including the UK.

I'm not sure why Prince William enrolled first at University and then in the Military as William Wales rather than William Windsor, other than it was his choice.

Other common titles and styles held by members of the Royal Family (not all titles currently in use) include:
* HRH Duke of Edinburgh
* HRH Duke & Duchess of Cornwall
* HRH Duke & Duchess of York
* HRH Earl and Countess of Wessex
* HRH Princess Royal
* HRH Duke & Duchess of Gloucester
* HRH Duke & Duchess of Kent

3) What are some of the ahhh rivalries? within scotland england ireland etc.?

Short answer: See answer to no. 4.

Long answer: Basically, many in Scotland want complete autonomy, so London gives them just enough to whet their apetite, but not enough to be of any real use. Meanwhile, Wales wants the same level of autonomy as Scotland, so London gives them less than Scotland. However, many in London (and some in Scotland) think Scotland would be much worse off if they had complete autonomy as they wouldn't get money from London (one of the biggest financial centers in the world) to prop up their national economy. Similar for Wales. So some in England think that we are being responsible by denying Scotland and Wales greater autonomy. But then there are those in England who resent London giving money rasied from English taxes to Scotland and Wales in the first place and so support greater autonomy for Scotland and Wales. And that is only in the last 15 years or so - stuff like this has been going on for around 1600 years!

I won't even go into the Northern Ireland vs Republic or Ireland (ROI) thing other than to remark that if you look at a map of the island, you'll notice that there are bits of ROI that are more northerly than the most norther parts of NI. It is as if they just picked the provinces with a majority protestant population.


4) Is wales a part of england or the uk (as in Mexico being part of US or north america)

From a Government and legal administration point-of-view, England and Wales together form a single unit. Historically, this is because Wales was conqured (around 1600 years ago) and was annexed to England for administrative purposes. Today, the country of Wales is given some freedom to control its own local matters through a local government assembly (The Welsh Assembly). Contrast this with the greater (but not complete) freedom and autonomy afforded to Scotland via the Scottish Government.

5) If i go to England, is there really that much of a language barrier, we say coupe with a silent 'e' that sort of thing, my dad says there still would be even though it is both english (compared to me going to france although i should mention my stepmom is fluent in spanish, french, japanese, probably some other i cant remember so this would be a plus in france that sort of thing)

Nope, not really a language barrier (I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said about England and America being "two nations divided by a common language" - he was right). As long as you can cope with everyone knowing you are American, accusing you of being Canadian, Australian or a Damn Tourist, not getting offended when someone asks you for a fag and resist offending others by refering to your pants or fanny-bag, you'll be fine!

10) thanks, i have a snow day (well ice day) here so i had to do something (i know snow day in texas!!!!) im sure people up north would scoff at this weather

Actually, that is another good point - don't mention the war, weather, youths or the national health service if you need to be anywhere in the next two hours.

This post has been edited by BloodyStupidDavey: Jan 27, 2009 - 6:59 PM