Tory member of Scottish Parliament calls for television channel for Scotland only

Britannist · 04-01-2008, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassie

...possible exception of France, but even that is questionable.

They're on their 'Fifth Republic' aren't they? We've had almost the same system of Government for centuries.

22ANDUK · 04-01-2008, 06:29 PM

Well, the French are famous for being the most revolting people in Europe.

Britannist · 04-01-2008, 09:23 PM

A former French Government minister onducted a survey a year or two ago and concluded that the French were the most unpopular nation in europe.

He pointed out that most of the rest of the world sees the French as arrogant.

Smidgey · 05-01-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

For decades French was the 'main' language in the EEC/EU. However, since Germany became one (3.10.1990) and Austria (foolishly) entered the EEC/EU, German has been the most widely spoken language in the EEC/EU. Indeed, German is the most widely spoken first language in the whole of europe (over 120 million speakers).

German (a language in the world top ten of how many speak a language) certainly is higher up in the ranking in the EEC/EU than is French and German should come before French in deliberations within the EU and within europe generally.

French is traditionally one of the main (if not the main at some points of history) languages of Europe. The French elite will of course do anything to keep it this way.

Times change. As long as the EU exists, English should be the main language. I'm sure the peoples of Eastern Europe, the low countries, Spain and Scandinavia would agree to this. It would be in their interests. They have a population that understands the language and with no remote possibility of it being Spanish or Danish, English would seem the logical choice.

My Danish friend doesn't believe that the language of Danish will even last the century. He says with media, internet and internation communication and cooperation between individuals in business and politics, the Danish language is no longer needed.

Smidgey · 05-01-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

They're on their 'Fifth Republic' aren't they? We've had almost the same system of Government for centuries.

We can perhaps give them that little break during the Second World War. The French just love to rebel and destroy their own wealth... I guess it must be in their nature.

They havev a neighbour (Switzerland), which has remained very stable for almost eight centuries. They should take a leaf out of their book. Not to mention that Switzerland has a lot more freedom and liberty than France does.

arden forester · 05-01-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

I like the Welsh language but I do not like the way it is being used by some so-called 'Nationalists' (i.e. people who want Wales out of the UK and controlled by the EU) to promote their own unpleasant and divisive aims (which are to break the ancient union of Wales and England.

I remember visiting someone in Northern Ireland during the height of the "Troubles" and we were watching the BBC national news. I was told that, whilst it was good having local programmes, national (UK) programming meant that NI felt far more a part of the UK.

I'm not against language channels, especially in this digital age, but I think a separate Scottish channel would just assist the nationalists.

cassie · 05-01-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidgey

French is traditionally one of the main (if not the main at some points of history) languages of Europe. The French elite will of course do anything to keep it this way.

Times change. As long as the EU exists, English should be the main language. I'm sure the peoples of Eastern Europe, the low countries, Spain and Scandinavia would agree to this. It would be in their interests. They have a population that understands the language and with no remote possibility of it being Spanish or Danish, English would seem the logical choice.

My Danish friend doesn't believe that the language of Danish will even last the century. He says with media, internet and internation communication and cooperation between individuals in business and politics, the Danish language is no longer needed.

Yes, if English becomes superseded (and hopefully that would be a natural, organic and gradual process), one would be sensible to acknowledge that and assist the process! However, I see no real prospect of that at the moment.

I was watching Freeview Channel 81 last evening and, in marked contrast, the backwoodsmen of NI in their assembly were batting on about Irish Gaelic and Ulster Scots! (Sine Fein wants an Irish Language Bill!)It is these dogmatic attempts to rescue largely moribund lingos mainly if not solely for the sake of 'preserving our identity' which obstruct communication and understanding! (One only has to look at the misunderstandings which occur here, and we are supposed to be communicating in the one language!)

Yep! You have to admire those national identities which are marked outwardly by being reactionary.

_________________________

cassie · 05-01-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidgey

We can perhaps give them that little break during the Second World War. The French just love to rebel and destroy their own wealth... I guess it must be in their nature.

They have a neighbour (Switzerland), which has remained very stable for almost eight centuries. They should take a leaf out of their book. Not to mention that Switzerland has a lot more freedom and liberty than France does.

'More freedom and liberty than France'? It need hardly be said that Switzerland has the very fair and wise advantage of being outwith the EU!

As Private Eye is just reporting, the latest assault on our liberties is the unpublicised signing up of the UK by traitorous Straw to the EU Pruem Treaty!

____________________________

Smidgey · 05-01-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassie

Yes, if English becomes superseded (and hopefully that would be a natural, organic and gradual process), one would be sensible to acknowledge that and assist the process! However, I see no real prospect of that at the moment.

I was watching Freeview Channel 81 last evening and, in marked contrast, the backwoodsmen of NI in their assembly were batting on about Irish Gaelic and Ulster Scots! (Sine Fein wants an Irish Language Bill!)It is these dogmatic attempts to rescue largely moribund lingos mainly if not solely for the sake of 'preserving our identity' which obstruct communication and understanding! (One only has to look at the misunderstandings which occur here, and we are supposed to be communicating in the one language!)

Yep! You have to admire those national identities which are marked outwardly by being reactionary.

_________________________

In the case of Scotland, English has been the majority language for almost 1,000 years.

People are holding back the inevitable. It might be a shame to lose Gaelic, but what purpose does it serve? Why are people not fighting to bring Latin back? Latin still has a use even though it is dead, the same will be true of Gaelic (place names and the like).

Westcountryman · 05-01-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidgey

We can perhaps give them that little break during the Second World War. The French just love to rebel and destroy their own wealth... I guess it must be in their nature.

They havev a neighbour (Switzerland), which has remained very stable for almost eight centuries. They should take a leaf out of their book. Not to mention that Switzerland has a lot more freedom and liberty than France does.

Switzerland, the nation of cowards. Of course, you'd have been right at home in Switzerland Smidgey, since, like Switzerland, you wouldn't have taken action in WWII to defend the liberty you love so much.

04-01-2008, 09:23 PM	#23 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Former Government minister, France, nation, world, europe, arrogant A former French Government minister onducted a survey a year or two ago and concluded that the French were the most unpopular nation in europe. He pointed out that most of the rest of the world sees the French as arrogant.

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04-01-2008, 06:29 PM	#22 (permalink)
22ANDUK Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,438	Well, the French are famous for being the most revolting people in Europe.