Reflection on my zemi

In my last semester, I could have good class. It was first time to make blogs, and search UK, so I was able to learn lots of things about UK, and these are very interesting for me. I think my favorite blog is 'Climate in UK', because I wondered why Britain is warmer than I thought, when I was junior high school student. As I research it, I managed to reach the answer, and I was happy. Of course, other theme are very interesting for me. Also, I found that wikipedia is good thing to search, but the information of the wikipedia is superficial. I realized I have to search other English site, if I want to know more deeply.

In addition to this, I think the zemi trip was very good experience for me. I was able to make lots of friends, and the movie, which is 'Full Monty' was very interesting.

One more thing, I appreciate Simon. You gave me good advices to make blogs, and invitation to the trip. Though I only one semester, I really enjoyed your class. Thank you.

Minority language in UK

(linguistic map of the world)

There are lots of languages in the world. Especially, in Europe, there are some old languages. Celtic had originally thrived in Europe, and spoken by the Celts. However, Roman and Germanic peoples invaded the British island, also, dominated there. After all, there are quite a few people who are able to speak Celtic languages in Ireland , England, and France.
The group of Celtic that remains in Britain are classified Gaelic and Breton language. The kind of Gaelic are Ireland Gaelic, Scotland Gaelic, and Manx. Also, the kind of Breton are Welsh, and Cornish.
These languages are almost dying without Welsh. Especially, Manx, and Cornish has been dead, but they are restored as revival languages.

In 1536, England decided to make Wales a part of England, moreover, England banned to use Welsh. Gradually, the numbers of people who can speak Welsh were declining. The ratio moved 80% to 20% during 160 years(1800-1960). I think it is too long, and it makes 5 or 6 generations. So, it is difficult to teach Welsh to next generations.

However, in 20th century, the movement to use Welsh occurred little by little. In 1962 Saunders Lewis found Welsh Language Society, and England allowed using Welsh in Wales. In 1993, Welsh was approved as official language in Wales. Fortunately, the number of people using Welsh raised barely in 2000. Now, you can find easily the bilingual traffic sign in the Wales.




Then, why has Welsh survived in Britain?

I think that for the people in Wales have the anxious about the extinction of their language. In fact, they found the elementary school called 'Ysgol Glan Clwyd' which teaches Welsh in 1956, and now, more than a quarter number of elementary school in Wales use Welsh. In 1977, the radio broadcasting(BBC radio cymru) using Welsh began, besides, TV broadcasting(SC4), which broadcasts in golden time about 22 hours in a week using Welsh, was started in 1982.

In my opinion, it is difficult to use Welsh in the business scene, because it has been already increased to use English in the society. So, Welsh should be used in culture scene, like music, movies, books, plays, festivals, or something like that, because only the original culture has the specific idea.

Roedean school

There are lots of private school in UK, which are called "Independent School". In the Independent school, there are few school that have the feature that is very high school fees. These are called "Public School". Especially, Boarding School is the school where students live and study, also this is as famous as the most high school fee of Public school. Roedean School is one of boarding schools which are well-known only girl's public schools. I want to introduce the outline, and peculiarities of Roedean School.

Established: 1885
Founder: 3 sisters; Penelope, Millcent, Dorothy Lowrence

Location: South East of England, called East Sussex

Student: 426

Ages: 11-18

Religion: Church of England

Cost: ￡4,550～￡9,750 per each term

(from the youngest to the oldest boarders)

School life
Roedean school wants students to be confident, articulate, and ready to launch their career when they leave Roedean.

In the year 9 (age 13), the girls consider which GCSE subjects they will take in the year 10 (age 14). This school's core curriculum includes English Literature, Geography, History, Math, and choice two or three subjects from Sciences, and Modern Foreign languages. They also offer some other choices- Art, Business studies, Design, Drama, Latin, Music, Physical Education. By the time they graduate, many student became more smart, and generosity. Last year, 64% students got A level on the GCSE, also 9 students admitted Oxbridge.

Anti-bullying policy

As a school policy, Roedean have banned bullying. In the Anti-bullying policy in Roedean, they indicate that there are several types of bullying which are Emotional, Physical, Verbal, Sexual, Cyber, Exclusion, and Possessions. They also refer that it is important for victim's parents to find out their daughter's sign of bullying, like frightening coming to school, changing to her usual routine, asking parents for extra money, having unexplained injures, or stopping eating or attending meals. As the action by School, for instance, the staff makes the bully to apologize the victim with the letter. If it is hard case of bullying, the aggressor might be withdrawn from the house privileges.

Wedding
In addition to this, the people who live in Sussex, Roedean school is famous as wedding place. It is because this school is located in specific rural coastal setting. The couple are able to use there on weekend dates, and Easter and Summer holidays. If the couple want to use this location, they have to pay ￡3,000 for one day.

Roedean School in South Africa

Roedean School has sister school in South Africa. In 1904, this is made by Theresa Lawance who is the youngest sister in Lawance family, which found the original Roedean School in UK. Theresa and her close friend established the only girl's school in South Africa with the spirit of independence of women. Then, about 100 years later, this school has survived, and thrived as the famous girl school in South Africa. Of course, the cost is as high as the original school in UK, which is €4,643 per each term.

Famous Alumni

Verity Lumbert(1935-2007) is a famous alumni from Roedean. She was TV producer in BBC television. She is a pioneer producing Science Fiction Series. For example, 'Doctor Who' (1963-65) is her first SF series that Doctor Who explores space and time. This TV program became popular in UK. In those days, she was the youngest TV producer, besides, she was an only female producer in BBC.

The Boat Race

Every year, there is a traditional boat race between Oxford and Cambridge University. This is held on the Thames in London. The first race was held in 1829. Since 1856, the race has been held every year. So, this has very long history. This mach is one of famous sports events in England. Lots of people -120 million, including the people who watch it on TV, are watching this match. Why do they like to see that? This is because that each university is well balanced in strength. Cambridge had won 79 times, and Oxford had won 75 times.

The rule of this competition is called “eights”. One team is composed of eight rowers and one cox, who is like a driver. Racing boat is long and narrow shape, and is made from wood. The course is over 6,000 meters long, and has S shape curve. They row the boat from east to west, and the avarage of the speed is over 20 kilometers per hour. Before the race begin, the president of the boat club toss a coin to get the right to choose which side of the river. This coin toss is important for each team, because the North side, which is called Middlesex, has an advantage of the first and last curve.

To win the race, eight rowers have to row a boat on same timing and same power. The most important part is the cox. The cox has to pay close attention, and indicate each rower with the mic, in addition, has to steer the the rudder thinking the wind, tide, and the weather. Contrary to general belief, this sport takes brains to win.

Class System in UK

The class system of Britain is definitely different from other countries, because, there are aristocrats in Britain. They have huge land, and earn money to collect the land ownership. Anyway, aristocrats have been approved by the Parliament. So, this is making the class system, and tremendous gap between the rich and the poor.

So, what kind of classes are there in Britain?

Upper class
Upper class is the most rich people including the royal family. Though they are only one percent number of the people in England, The property is one third of the property in England. They consists of aristocrats, president of the company, like steel or oil. For example, Lakshmi Mittal who is the CEO of Mittal Steel company became the most rich person in 2009. His personal wealth is €10.8 billion.

Upper-middle
The ratio of Upper-middle class is 10-20 percent in UK. they are top businessmen, Lawyers, Doctor, Politician, Professor, and so on. Generally, their income are more than €100,000 in a year. Rowan Atkinson is the famous actor as Mr.Bean. I think he must be Upper middle class person.

Middle class
Middle class is 30-40 percent in UK. they are regular employee, or public servant, or teacher. I think they are sustaining the economy in UK. Income range is wide, but they have enough money to live.

Skilled Working class
Skilled working class is exactly the people who has skill, like engineers, carpenters, chef, taxi drivers, plumbers, or something like that. I think their salary are not so high, but they are able to live, because I think there are important jobs for people.

Unskilled Working class
Unskilled class is the worker who has no skill. their work is like shopkeepers, or street cleaners, waiters/waitress,or something like that anyone can do. Therefore, I think their life is unstable.

Under class
Under class is the most poorest people, like homeless. Some homeless are immigrant from other countries. Some can not speak English.

The deference of Vocabulary

It is interesting to find the difference of the vocabulary between the Upper class and the Non-Upper class. I want to show some examples below.

Upper ／Non-Upper
Rich ／ Wealthy
Roo ／ Toilet
Looking glass ／ Mirror
Dinner ／ Lunch
Riding ／ Horse riding
Table napkin ／ Napkin
Writing paper ／ Note paper
Sofa ／ Settee
Wireless ／ Radio
Jam ／ Preserve
House ／ Home
What? ／ Pardon?

Besides, Upper class tends to exaggerate, and likes to use long adverbs and adjectives. For example, "Very interesting" becomes "wonderfully fascinating", "Fun" becomes "incredibly delightful", and "Bad" becomes "Unspeakably awful".

I think the difference of words come from their surroundings. For instance, for Upper class people, to "ride" is to ride a horse, because it is natural for them to ride a horse like polo. In addition, they are always looking down on another people. That's why they use "What?" instead of saying "Pardon?".

The feeling of people in UK

I asked my friend who is Englishwoman if the class system is lasting yet. She told me it was dead, because the idea of class system is too old. But, she said the gap between rich and poor in England becomes more and more wide visibly. I think English people feel the difference at bottom.

Why is Britain warm?

When I was junior high school student, I wander that British must be cold, because the latitude is much higher than Japan― the latitude of Britain is 50-60 degree, and Japan is 35 degree.

However, I found that Britain is warmer than I thought. There are two reasons, a warm current, and the westerlies.

The warm current which is called 'North Atlantic Current' is moving from around the equator in Atlantic Ocean to around the North Sea of British island. The North Atlantic current run at 7 kilometers per hour, and high temperature, which is 30 degree in the summer.
And, the westerlies are the continuous winds that blow from the west to the east in the middle latitude（30-60 degree）.

Thus, the warm current and wind carry warmth to the British island, but the wind includes high humidity. so, it connects the reason why there are lots of rains in British.

Then, why has it happened that the warm current and the westerlies move west to east? this is because of the Earth rotation. It makes huge current of air and ocean current to the surface of the Earth. In fact, the huge ocean current which is called Kuroshio goes through east sea of Japan. Moreover, the westerlies make the course of the typhoon from the north west to the north east.

I realized that the workings of nature was interesting.

Impression about contribution of classmate

I think Mitsu's blog is my best one. Because pictures looked nice, and sentences were settled well. Also, I am one of fans of All Blacks. I had been in NZ 3 years ago as a short term study abroad. At that time, I watched Allblacks' haka. I remembered I was really excited to see that dance. I did find that the dance is not traditional one, but arrenged one to read his blog.