The Common Wealth: Vocabulary List
From the British Empire to the modern Commonwealth of nations
3 key words to keep in mind :
– Imperialism : a policy or ideology of extending a country’s rule over peoples and other countries for political and economic reasons. Use of hard (military) and soft (cultural) power.
– Empire : a group of territories throughout the world governed / ruled by one state or ruler
– Colonialism : the policy of a country expanding its domination over conquered territories at the expense of the indigenous people with economic aims (exploitation of the natural resources)
The size of the British empire : In 1922, it was the largest empire ever. A quarter of the earth’s surface and 458 million people.
2 reasons for developping it :
– economic : raw products were needed in Britain / jobs and opportunities given to British people.
– ideologic : there was a race between the European countries to control territories.
How did the Empire develop ? It was not easy and it meant fighting with other nations.
– First, the New World (religious and economic reasons) (beginning 17th C.)
– The West Indies (now the Caribbean Islands) (plantations) (17-18thC.)
– India (control of the trade of luxury goods)
First blow for the British empire :
The loss of North America following the American War of Independence ( 1775-1783)
Turning point in the late 18th C- early 19thC : the Second British Empire
– Australia
– Trinidad, Ceylon, Singapore and Hong Kong
– Africa : Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria
Its relationships with indigenous people / examples:
Unfair treatment : they were robbed from their land, their natural resources, they were badly mistreated, some were starved to death, many were enslaved or slaughtered (= massacred). Others (Indigenous Australians) were acculturated (they lost their cultural identities) or their lands were split apart.
The example of slavery :
The British traded 3 out of the 12 million slaves who were brought to the Americas.
Huge profits were made out of this trade and allowed the Industrial Revolution to take place.
Abolition of salvery in the British Empire : 1833 but racism persisted
The ending of the British Empire :
– Nationalism started to spread after WW1 :
White colonies – Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – became independent.
1947 : India (after a long and bloody fight)
1950s – 80s : African colonies
1997 : Hong Kong was returned to China
Scraps of the British Empire still exist (small islands) : British Oversaes Territories
The new institution : the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations: introduction
Definition :The Commonwealth is a powerful association of sovereign nations which support each other and work together towards international goals. It is also a ‘family’ of peoples (all major racial groups are present).
Common points :language, culture, law, education and democratic traditions, among other things,
Goal : to work together to influence world events and set up programmes to fight racism, poverty, climate issues. They contribute to the funding of the activities according to their possibilities. Consultation is the key word to be able to set up policies and programmes corresponding to the needs of the countries.
Co-operation is the second key word to exchange skills in numerous domains (professional, cultural and welfare)
Number : 53 independent countries (most of them poor and very small) in the Commonwealth on a voluntary basis
Structure : governments work together in an atmosphere of trust and understanding following the 1971 Commonwealth Principles. The higher level of the structure is called the Secretariat. This is a strict equality between the countries which used to be former British colonies for most of them. It is close to the UN principles
Fields of competence : economy, education, justice, politics, human rights and gender equality, human development,
Member countries
Commonwealth Day
Commonwealth Games
Their various names The naming changed to erase the notion of colonization to the benefit of partnership.
1930-1950: British Empire Games
1954-1966: British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1970-1974: British Commonwealth Games
1978-onwards: Commonwealth Games
Frequency : every 4 years except in 1942 beacause of WW2
Its evolution : From 400 athletes from 11 countries in 1930 to 4,500 athletes from 71 countries in 2014. 10 times more.
Number of people concerned : almost one third of the world population
Person in charge of the inauguration of the Games : Queen E. because she is head of the Commonwealth.
Characteristics of Australia and its Games : Australia is the N° 1 medal winner in the Games’ history (852) The largest sporting event that Australia has hosted for a decade with18 sports and 7 para-sports with more than 6,600 athletes from 70 nations and territories gathered on the Gold Coast
The emblem of the Games : the baton carries a message a peace from the Head of the Commonwealth, a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Games
Impact in the world : huge with 1.5 billion people watching around the world.
Poster: World War 2: a family affair
This poster represents Commonwealth soldiers in arms marching side by side towards another group of soldiers representing Britain’s allies during WW2. We can recognise seven representatives of Commonwealth Armed Forces ; they are soldiers from India, East Africa, South Africa, New Zealand, a Canadian airman, an Australian soldier and a Royal Navy sailor.
This picture is a propaganda poster promoting the joint war effort of the British Empire and commonwealth in 1939. The soldiers seem proud to stand together for Britain and look united like a family in a common effort. Indeed, Britain looked to Canada to provide troops to strategic locations in North America, the Atlantic and Caribbean. Over the course of the war, over 1.6 million Canadians served in uniform. Australia, New Zealand, india and South Africa provided dozens of ships and several divisions for the defence of the Mediterranean. Almost a million Australians served in the armed forces. Substantial financial support was also provided by canada to Britain and commonwealth dominions. All in all, Commonwealth soldiers from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, NewFoundland, South Africa, Undivided india and other colonies made up over 40 % of the United Kingdom’s entire fighting force and 35 % of the men killed in service.
Today’s reality is quite different. First, the UK has lost its status as a superpower and its colonies have stopped relying on it for their security. Divisions have emerged within the Commonwealth and none of these countries are ready to fight for the Uk today.
Word bank :
Common = joint
Faire front commun / être solidaire = to stand together
To give something to someone = to provide someone with something
considerable / consequential = substantial
Pallier / rattraper / combler = to make up
to count on = to rely on
Terre-Neuve = NewFoundland
India + Pakistan before 1947 (Partition) = Undivided India
Text 1: The Future of Commonwealth
Explain the expression « Commonwealth’ golden age ».
This expression refers to Britain’s nostalgic vision of the time it had an empire with which it had established tight political, strategic and economic relationships. These historic ties to Britain’s former colonies – Britain, Australia, New-Zealand, South Africa- remind the country of its status as a great power and recall images of unity of the « old » Commonwealth members.
Contrast this perception of a « golden age » with the reality.
This vision of the Commonwealth as united contrasts with the reality. The Commonwealth Empire was actually divided between the old and the new members. Indeed, the « new »members, India, Pakistan, Sri lanka, Malaysia, Ghana and Nigeria were in favour of anti-colonialism. Moreover, Britain’s image as a superpower waned as the country failed to protect its colonies, which turned to the US for their security. Economically speaking, after WW2, Britain stopped being the main importer and supplier of its colonies which established their own regional trade links. Trading links also declined with the « new »members. Therefore, the perception of a « golden age » is an idealised vision of Britain’s past status and links with its colonies.
Can the UK’s post-Brexit intentions become reality?
After Brexit, the UK realised it needed to find new partners, especially for its trade relations. That is why it intended to rekindle historic ties with its former colonies in the commonwealth. Yet, today, these countries are eager to stay independent, but also to make the most of trade deals by exporting goods to Britrain rather than buying British goods. Besides, Commonwealth countries found alternative regional markets and are in a position to negociate with Britain.
Word bank Des liens étroits = tight ties (a tie) Ex = former To decrease / to decline = To wane Un fournisseur = a supplier Etre impatient de faire quelque chose = to be eager to do something Rallumer / raviver / relancer = to rekindle rappeler quelque chose à quelqu’un = To remind someone of something To remember / to bring to mind = to recall Un lien commercial = a trade link Profiter de quelque chose = to make the most of something se rendre compte = to realise |
Text 2: The evolution of a former colony
What do you learn about the author of the document?
The author is of Indian origin and he moved to the USA in the early 1990s. The son of an Indian father and an American mother, he was used to going to America to visit his grandparents in the 1980s.
How did India use to be seen by Americans?
India used to be considered negatively by americans. First, it seemed to be a very distant country geographically speaking but also culturally, socially, politically through its huge differences. Then, people associated India with steriotypes of poverty, corruption, overcrowding, caste, cows and curry.
What has changed in the perception and status of India?
Today, India is considered as a future superpower, a capitalist success story. It has become a source of pride and admiration. The former negative stereotypes have been replaced by images of technological performance, outsourcing, billionaires, economic prowess and achievements and a successful movie industry. Unlike the US, India now offers new opportunities and promises of employment and economic success, threatening to take american jobs.
It is no longer seen as a poor country mired in corruption and inequalities but as a thriving, modernising nation able to vie with the first superpower. Yet, the author of the document also highlights the remaining problems of poverty and destitution affecting India.
Word Bank :
avoir l’habitude de faire quelque chose =
faire quelque chose dans le passé qu’on ne fait plus à présent =
délocalisation =
contrary to =
success =
prouesse / talent =
ne plus être vu comme=
embourbé / enlisé dans =
successful / flourishing =
rivaliser à =
to underline : to stress =
Brexit and Northern Ireland, a burning issue: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2018/10/15/explaining-brexit-and-the-northern-ireland-question/
Translation Practice
« For sure, the Commonwealth will not turn into a British-led military alliance.
Certes, le Commonwealth ne se transformera pas en une alliance militaire dirigée par les Britanniques.The United states will remain the UK’s key security partner.
Les États-Unis resteront le principal partenaire (ou partenaire clef – privilégié) du Royaume-Uni en matière de sécurité.Britain will not be able to wield political leadership over the Commonwealth.
La Grande-Bretagne ne pourra pas (ou ne sera pas en mesure d’) exercer de leadership politique sur le Commonwealth. Could galvanising Commonwealth trade resolve possible economic difficulties after Brexit ?
Stimuler le commerce du Commonwealth pourrait-il résoudre d'éventuelles difficultés économiques après le Brexit?Australia, New Zealand, India and some smaller Commonwealth members want to increase trade with Britain.
L'Australie, la Nouvelle-Zélande, l'Inde et certains petits états membres du Commonwealth souhaitent accroître leurs échanges avec la Grande-Bretagne.Yet, these countries are more interested in selling goods to Britain rather than buying British goods.
Pourtant, ces pays sont plus intéressés par la vente de produits à la Grande-Bretagne que par l'achat de produits britanniques.It will take considerable time and effort to alter this balance, especially since Commonwealth countries long ago found alternative regional markets.
Il faudra beaucoup de temps et d'efforts pour modifier cet équilibre, d'autant plus que les pays du Commonwealth ont depuis longtemps trouvé d'autres marchés régionaux.Much will also depend on what kind of future trade deals Britain negociates with both the EU and the United states »
Cela dépendra aussi beaucoup du type d'accords commerciaux que la Grande-Bretagne négociera à l’avenir avec l'UE et les États-Unis ».What do you think?
- Will the UK be stronger without the EU?
- Do you think that Great Britain has illusions about itself?
- Are there new forms of colonisation today?
- What is the British Dream?
- What is the reverse brain drain?
Grammar Time: Reported speech
The rule
Rapporter des paroles au style indirect entraine une série de transformations qui concernent les formes verbales, les pronoms, les repères de lieux de te temps
Les verbes introducteurs du style indirect
Les formes verbales : correspondances
Attention : On maintient le prétérit lorsque l’énoncé décrit une habitude.
Ex : « I often saw her in those days » / He said that he often saw her in those days.
Même chose avec les verbes d’état (les verbes be et have + ceux qui font référence aux sens, sentiments et activités mentales) et dans les subordonnées avec WHEN.
Ex : « It was too late when I got there. » / He said that it was too late when he got there.
Les pronoms: correspondances
Les repères de lieu et de temps: correspondances
Discours direct | Discours indirect |
Now | Then |
Tonight | That night |
Yesterday | The day before/The previous day |
Tomorrow | The next day/The following day |
Last | Previous |
Next | The following |
This | That |
These | Those |
Here | There |
Exercises
From direct to reported speech
Emily: « Our teacher will go to Leipzig tomorrow. »
Emily said (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
Helen: « I was writing a letter yesterday. »
Helen told me (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
Robert: « My father flew to Dallas last year. »
Robert told me (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
Lisa: « Tim went to the stadium an hour ago. »
Lisa said (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
Patricia: « My mother will celebrate her birthday next weekend. »
Patricia said (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
Michael: « I am going to read a book this week. »
Michael said to me (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
Jason and Victoria: « We will do our best in the exams tomorrow. »
Jason and Victoria told me (that) …………………………………………………………………
Andrew: « We didn’t eat fish two days ago. »
Andrew remarked (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
Alice: « I spent all my pocket money on Monday. »
Alice complained (that) ………………………………………………………………………………
1 Les ventes augmentent régulièrement. / Les ventes augmentent régulièrement depuis une décennie.
Sales are increasing steadily / Sales have been increasing steadily for a decade.
2 Le prix de l’or est en forte hausse. /Le prix de l’or est en forte hausse depuis 2010.
The price of gold is rising sharply /The price of gold has been rising sharply since 2010.
3 Le prix des maisons baisse rapidement. House prices are falling rapidly.
4 La population a fortement augmenté. The population has increased significantly.
5 La température augmente de façon significative depuis quelques années.
The temperature has been rising significantly for the past few years.
6 Mon poids diminue parce que j’ai fait un régime.
My weight is going down because I have been on a diet.
7 La valeur de l’euro diminue. / La valeur de l’euro a diminuée lorsque le Royaume Uni a quitté la zone euro.
The value of the euro is falling / The value of the euro fell when the UK left the eurozone.
8 La valeur du dollar est fluctuante/volatile. The value of the dollar is fluctuating.
9 Le prix du pétrole est en baisse. / Le prix du pétrole est en baisse depuis 5 ans.
The price of oil is falling / The price of oil has been falling for 5 years.
10 Les prix des médicaments sont en baisse constante.
The price of medicines is constantly falling.
11 Notre budget est en augmentation. Our budget is increasing.
12 Mon taux de glycémie fluctue. / Mon taux de glycémie fluctue en fonction de ce que je mange.
My blood sugar level is fluctuating at the moment / My blood sugar level fluctuates depending on what I eat.
13 Mon épargne augmente rapidement/l’inflation est en forte hausse depuis quelques années.
My savings are increasing rapidly / Inflation has been rising sharply in recent years.
14 Le coût de la vie augmente progressivement. The cost of living is gradually increasing