What have americans and people form the United Kindom in common? How attitudes have changed the last 50 years?
Answer:
The Brits and Yanks have a surprising amount in common, much of which seems to go unrecognised.
Let's just start with the legal systems of both countries. They're both based upon English ideas of law. The most important aspect of which is trial by jury, which the English invented back in the Middle Ages. Also add to that, the presumption of innocence. A court must prove someone is guilty 'without a shadow of doubt'.
What else do we have in common? Well there's that famous Churchill remark that 'we are two nations separated by a common language'. Although it is true that we Brits use English differently from the Americans, it is nevertheless the same language - English. For example, when an American wants to check the oil in his car, he lifts the 'hood'. When a Brit does the same thing, he lifts the 'bonnet'. Hood and Bonnet are pretty much the same thing, 'headwear'. It obviously gets much more complex than the above example, but don't worry, there are websites which explain the difference - translating UK into US English and visa versa.
Both US and UK are 'constitutional', that is the USA is a Constitutional Republic and UK is a Constitutional Monarchy. The USA have a written Constitution - written in English by the way, while here in UK our Constitution is based upon English Common Law and is not a written document as such. Both consitutional systems work.
In both countries there exists a highly sophisticated form of Democracy. Everyone is entitled to vote and to have their say on any issue at any time without let or hinderance. Freedom of speach and a Free Press play a major role in both our democracies.
Brit and American 'slang' may differ quite considerably. For example, in a recent TV movie I distinctly heard a teenage youth call another boy a 'scrote'! This surely comes from the word 'scrotum', the sack in which the nuts are held. Clever use of English then.
In spite of our often political differences, we share much culture between us. Lots of British music and art [the British are coming etc] finds it's way across the 'pond' and into America. It's a two way street, so we get to see a lot of American art and culture here in UK.
The one big major attitude which has changed in the last 50 years is the death of Anglophobia in the USA. It no longer exists, certainly not where it counts. I'm happy for Americans to believe that we Brits all have brown teeth. Well, it may just be true. Sometimes.
The one big thing to bear in mind is that America [USA] is based upon British ideas and no one elses.
George Washington's birthday on 22nd February. Washington is an English [Anglo Saxon] place-name. There's just no escape, is there?
A "Special Relationship".
We are allies, we both speak English.
One thing we don't do is put U's in our words. LIke colour, and favourite and neighourhood.
Clive H said it perfectly.
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