Let's learn some about Scottish culture, traditions and literature!
SCOTTISH SYMBOLS AND LEGENDS
The National Anthems of Scotland are the songs Flower
of Scotland and Scotland the Brave. “Flower of Scotland” is used by the
national football team in political and sports events and “Scotland the Brave” in order to represent Scotland in the
Commonwealth Games. Additionally, the
flower that represents the Scottish Nation being its National Emblem is the thistle. The most well-known legend in
Scotland is the Loch Ness Monster, whose name is Nessie.
Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom but retains its own legal system,
the Scots Law, which is separated
from England since the Act of Union in 1707. Moreover, it
has its own national church separated from that of England. The National Church of Scotland is The Kirk
since the Protestant Reformation of Scotland in 1560 and a
Protestant and Calvinist Church being independent of the State. The patron saint of Scotland is Saint Andrew.
LITERATURE
Scottish literature includes
many texts written in English, Scots, Gaelic Scots, French or Latin. The Scottish
national poet, Robert Burns, wrote
in English and in Scots, and other important Scottish writers are Sir Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle and James Matthew Barrie, the author of Peter Pan.
LANGUAGES
Scotland has its own unique family of languages and dialects.
It causes a strong sense of "Scottish-ness", i.e. a Scottish
patriotic sense. Languages of Scotland are divided into Celtic languages (Scottish Gaelic language, which are spoken in
the Islands Hebridesand and in Highlands), Germanic languages (Scots language, spoken in the south of Scotland and in Lowlands; and English language of Scotland (spoken throughout Scotland). This country is
called “Scotland” in English and
Scots language, and “Alba” in
Scottish Gaelic language.
MUSIC AND DANCE
The most important Scottish
instrument is the bagpipe of Highlands.
Some other traditional instruments are the Clàrsach, violin and accordion.
Moreover, there are some bands and artists originated in Scotland such as Belle & Sebastian, Primal Scream, Travis, Snow Patrol and music festivals are also very well-known in this
land.
MEDIA
Scotland holds different media from the rest of the UK. It publishes some national newspapers such as Daily Record, The Herald, in Glasgow, and The Scotsman, in Edinburgh and also has its own BBC services (BBC, Scotland) and national radio and television stations: BBC Radio Scotland and Scottish Gaelic language service, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal and The Gaelic Digital Service.
How much are you learning? Click on the following link to learn more about Scotland. Then, do the exercises below and check your answeres.
CLOTHES
The traditional garment in
Scotland is the kilt. It is made of
wool and has a design of tartan associated with a Scottish clan. It is rolled
up around the waist and covers from the trunk to the knees. Additionally, a special
Scottish bag is the sporran, which is
used in special events such as weddings.
FOOD
The national dish of Scotland is
haggis. They are made with lamb blood and oats and eaten in the Burns nigh.
Shortbread biscuits, Scotch pie (a meat pie filled with lamb) and Scotch whisky
are also very famous all around the world.
Saint Andrew's Day is celebrated in Scotland on the 30th of November
and it is a public holiday.
Burns Night
is celebrated on the 25th of January
in honor to Robert Burns, the Scottish national poet.
The Original New Year is celebrated on the 25th of March in memory of the Celtic New Year, which was
celebrated on this day in the Gregorian calendar.
Hogmanay is the most important festival in Scotland celebrated in New Year´s Eve, on the 31th of December. Scottish inherited this celebration from the Vikings.
Hogmanay is the most important festival in Scotland celebrated in New Year´s Eve, on the 31th of December. Scottish inherited this celebration from the Vikings.
Have you learnt a lot? Now it's time to take a quiz!
Click on the links below and check how many new thing about Scottish culture you have learnt while you enjoy the quiz. Do not worry if you do not know any answers. Repeat the quiz as many times as necessary until you get all the answers right.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario