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England, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, the British Isles, so many names for one country! Not to mention Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. And talking of Ireland, what’s the difference between Ireland, Southern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Eire?!
No wonder foreigners are confused – especially as even we ourselves often make mistakes when talking about our country. So here is a simplified explanation of what’s what on the other side of the English Channel!
Geographically, the collection of islands across the water from France are known as The British Isles. The two biggest islands are Great Britain and Ireland but there are also lots of little islands as well such as the Isle of Wight, the Island of Skye and many, many more.
Politically, within the British Isles, there are two states: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with its capital in London (abbreviated to the UK), and The Republic of Ireland with its capital in Dublin. The UK is a monarchy with the pound (£) as its currency. The Republic of Ireland, as the name suggests, is a republic with the euro (€) as its currency. The Republic of Ireland is sometimes referred to as Southern Ireland and by its Irish language name, Eire.
4 Home Nations
Inside the UK, there are 4 home nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the past, these nations were distinct, independent nations with people of different origins. The people of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were originally Celtic and the people of England mainly Germanic. They also spoke different languages. Unification through domination by England took many hundreds of years and many wars! This is why the Welsh, the Irish and the Scottish are so attached to their heritage.
The Capitals
The capital of England is London and the people are English. (Language: English)
The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh and the people are Scottish. Official languages: English and Scottish Gaelic spoken by 1% of the population.
The capital of Wales is Cardiff and the people are Welsh. Official languages: English and Welsh spoken by 20% of the population and compulsory in school.
The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast and the people are Northern Irish. Official languages: English and Irish Gaelic spoken by just 0.2% of the population. More people speak Irish Gaelic in the Republic of Ireland.
The capital of the UK is London and the people are usually referred to as British which unfortunately excludes the Northern Irish. But it’s not possible to say UKish!
Political Autonomy
Since 1998, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own parliament/assembly with authority to govern local affairs (education, finance, agriculture, industry etc). Matters of national concern such as defense, national security, international relations etc. are managed by the UK Parliament in London.
Sporting teams
So what happens when it comes to sport? Well in rugby for example, there’s the English, Welsh and Scottish teams, and the Northern Irish play for Ireland! In football however, there is a Northern Irish team (as well as a Welsh, Scottish and English team). But for the Olympics it’s even more complicated as the UK team is known as Team GB which the Northern Irish are obviously not happy about and so many decide to represent the Republic of Ireland!
Angleterre isn’t the UK!
So if we can’t agree – how can others understand?!
But one thing is sure, if you hear French journalists talking about Angleterre, they are probably not using the correct term unless they are talking about just England!
So now that you know the differences, I’m sure that you won’t make the same mistake!
No wonder foreigners are confused – especially as even we ourselves often make mistakes when talking about our country. So here is a simplified explanation of what’s what on the other side of the English Channel!
Geographically, the collection of islands across the water from France are known as The British Isles. The two biggest islands are Great Britain and Ireland but there are also lots of little islands as well such as the Isle of Wight, the Island of Skye and many, many more.
Politically, within the British Isles, there are two states: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with its capital in London (abbreviated to the UK), and The Republic of Ireland with its capital in Dublin. The UK is a monarchy with the pound (£) as its currency. The Republic of Ireland, as the name suggests, is a republic with the euro (€) as its currency. The Republic of Ireland is sometimes referred to as Southern Ireland and by its Irish language name, Eire.
4 Home Nations
Inside the UK, there are 4 home nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the past, these nations were distinct, independent nations with people of different origins. The people of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were originally Celtic and the people of England mainly Germanic. They also spoke different languages. Unification through domination by England took many hundreds of years and many wars! This is why the Welsh, the Irish and the Scottish are so attached to their heritage.
The Capitals
The capital of England is London and the people are English. (Language: English)
The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh and the people are Scottish. Official languages: English and Scottish Gaelic spoken by 1% of the population.
The capital of Wales is Cardiff and the people are Welsh. Official languages: English and Welsh spoken by 20% of the population and compulsory in school.
The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast and the people are Northern Irish. Official languages: English and Irish Gaelic spoken by just 0.2% of the population. More people speak Irish Gaelic in the Republic of Ireland.
The capital of the UK is London and the people are usually referred to as British which unfortunately excludes the Northern Irish. But it’s not possible to say UKish!
Political Autonomy
Since 1998, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own parliament/assembly with authority to govern local affairs (education, finance, agriculture, industry etc). Matters of national concern such as defense, national security, international relations etc. are managed by the UK Parliament in London.
Sporting teams
So what happens when it comes to sport? Well in rugby for example, there’s the English, Welsh and Scottish teams, and the Northern Irish play for Ireland! In football however, there is a Northern Irish team (as well as a Welsh, Scottish and English team). But for the Olympics it’s even more complicated as the UK team is known as Team GB which the Northern Irish are obviously not happy about and so many decide to represent the Republic of Ireland!
Angleterre isn’t the UK!
So if we can’t agree – how can others understand?!
But one thing is sure, if you hear French journalists talking about Angleterre, they are probably not using the correct term unless they are talking about just England!
So now that you know the differences, I’m sure that you won’t make the same mistake!
Present simple or present continuous? Past simple or present perfect? These questions can cause panic for many students of English because it’s not the same in French! So how do you decide when to use which tense?
The main thing is to think in English, NOT in French however tempting that may be! Try and learn the rules in English: first the structure (which auxiliary to use, how to form the negative and interrogative). Secondly, try to learn some key concepts, for example the present simple is used for permanent things, habits and routines, the present continuous is used for present events which are temporary. Finally, try and learn some key words or phrases which are associated with each tense. For example: since, just and yet are usually used with the present perfect. Finally you need to practise! The more you practise, the easier it will be. Promise!
But remember, if you think in French you’ll most probably make a mistake!
Here is a table to help you identify the main differences between these five tenses.
The main thing is to think in English, NOT in French however tempting that may be! Try and learn the rules in English: first the structure (which auxiliary to use, how to form the negative and interrogative). Secondly, try to learn some key concepts, for example the present simple is used for permanent things, habits and routines, the present continuous is used for present events which are temporary. Finally, try and learn some key words or phrases which are associated with each tense. For example: since, just and yet are usually used with the present perfect. Finally you need to practise! The more you practise, the easier it will be. Promise!
But remember, if you think in French you’ll most probably make a mistake!
Here is a table to help you identify the main differences between these five tenses.
Philippa Stacey
Philippa Stacey a fondé Eureka en 2007. Elle vit et enseigne l’anglais aux professionnels en France depuis 1993.
Eureka est un organisme de formation en langue anglaise certifié et agréé qui intervient essentiellement dans le Nord Isère.
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