The Demonyms of the United Kingdom
In this post, the author explores the various demonyms used in the United Kingdom, highlighting the diverse terms associated with different regions, such as the English, Scots, Welsh, and Northern Irish. The discussion delves into the historical and cultural factors influencing these designations and addresses common misconceptions. The post provides an engaging look at how identity is reflected through language in the UK.
Generated by Azure AI on June 24, 2024I kept hearing about Susan Boyle being “Scottish.” Then I was reading the Wikipedia page on Bonnie Tyler and she was described as “Welsh.” I was confused. Weren’t these people British?
I consulted my buddy Chris for assistance.
Britain comprises three major geopolitical areas: England, Wales, and Scotland. So, you can be English, Welsh, or Scottish…and still be British.
My friend Chris is from England, so he’s English. He’s also British. But he’s not Scottish. And calling Susan Boyle “English” (or “Welsh”) would be all sorts of wrong.
So, to recap:
British
English
Scottish
Welsh
It gets a little more confusing when you toss Northern Ireland into the mix. They are Irish, of course, but not British. Northern Ireland and Britain together form the United Kingdom. Wikipedia claims that the United Kingdom and Britain are the same thing, and that someone in Northern Ireland can be called “British.” Chris disagrees.
Incidentally, this concept of naming someone after their country (an “American,” a “New Zealander,” etc.) is called a demonym.