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What does being British mean today? | Union – BBC

BBC

48K views 2 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the phrase “being British,” what ideas or images come to mind?
Do you think national identity is mostly about history, culture, or personal choice? Why?
What different identities can someone have at the same time (for example, city, region, country)?

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What does being British mean today? | Union – BBC

Britishness and multiple identities today (00:00 – 00:52)

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1. What is happening to the question of where the Union goes from here?

It is being debated and contested.
It is only discussed outside the UK.
It is being avoided and ignored.
It has already been settled permanently.

2. When does the speaker say Britishness slowly emerged?

In the 17th and 18th centuries
In the 12th and 13th centuries
In the 15th and 16th centuries
In the 20th century

3. What main idea is shown by the list of labels people use for themselves (e.g., Scottish, British, Londoner)?

People no longer care about identity.
Identity can be mixed and overlapping.
Only regional identity matters now.
Everyone agrees on a single identity.

What does being British mean today? | Union – BBC

Forces that once united the UK are in decline (00:52 – 01:58)

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1. British identity was strongly linked to which religious tradition, according to the speaker?

The Catholic faith
Buddhism
Hinduism
The Protestant faith

2. Why were the Acts of Union passed, according to the transcript?

To replace local languages
To secure the aisles from foreign invasion
To end all wars worldwide
To create a new currency

3. After generations of relative peace, what question does the speaker ask?

Whether the UK will become more religious
Whether the Empire can be rebuilt
Whether memories of shared hardship are still strong enough to hold people together
Whether industrial booms will return next year

What does being British mean today? | Union – BBC

Changing identity and the uncertain future of the Union (01:58 – 03:25)

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1. Roughly what percentage of people does the speaker say still see themselves as British?

Over 90%
Over 20%
Over 60%
Over 40%

2. What does the speaker suggest it may come down to “in the end”?

Weather
History
Tourism
Sport

3. Who will determine the fate of the Union in the decades to come?

The industrial leaders of the 19th century
Only politicians currently in office
Foreign governments
The generations who are now emerging

What does being British mean today? | Union – BBC

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1. What is the main argument about why the Union is being questioned today?

The UK has become more religious than before.
People have stopped having regional identities.
The forces that once united the UK (religion, war, industry, empire) are weakening or have ended.
Foreign invasion is increasing every year.

2. Which idea best describes how identity is presented in the video?

Identity does not relate to history.
Identity is fixed and singular for everyone.
Identity can be layered (local, national, ethnic) and sometimes competing.
Identity is chosen only by governments.

3. What tone does the ending create about the future of the Union?

Humorous and light
Uncertain and open-ended
Certain and final
Completely uninterested

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

What does being British mean today? | Union – BBC

Do you think shared history is enough to hold a country together? Why or why not?
Which factors create national identity most strongly today: religion, security, war memories, economy, culture, or something else?
Is it normal or helpful to have multiple identities (e.g., local and national)? When can it cause tension?
What might make more people accept or reject a national identity like “British” in the future?