I love reading this blog because I always get to learn
a thing or two from it. In this very specific topic, you will read and learn
some things about the Scottish
independence referendum, 2014. (((Read
more here)))
In Two Minds Over
Scottish Independence.
BACKGROUND
Scotland goes to the polls on September 18 and voters will be asked to answer the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" The latest opinion polls suggest that the result is too close to call. Read more >>
CARTOON
The cartoon by Heath from the Mail on Sunday shows a party where people are discussing Scottish independence. Those in favour have the Scottish flag painted on their faces, and those against the Union Jack. However, one man has both flags painted on his face, and tells his interlocutor, "To tell you the truth, I'm in two minds."
EXPLANATION
If you are in two minds about something, you are uncertain or to have difficulty in making a decision.
• I'm in two minds about accepting the job. The joke is that the man has
two flags painted on his face to show that he is undecided.
Cameron Woos Scots.
BACKGROUND
British PM David Cameron dropped everything last Wednesday to head to Scotland to stem the momentum of the "Yes" campaign for secession. For Alex Salmond, the Scot leading the charge for independence, the move means the Brits are panicked. "If I thought they were coming by bus, I'd send the bus fare," he told Reuters. Cameron's visit came a day after his impassioned Daily Mail piece, in which he promised Scots that a "no" vote wouldn't keep the status quo, but usher in more power over taxes, spending, and welfare.Read more >>
CARTOON
The cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express shows David Cameron and his wife Samantha in their kitchen. Cameron is reading a newspaper whose front page headline reads, "Cameron Woos Scots." Samantha, who is wearing a tartan skirt, sash, and tam o' shanter (hat), tells her husband, "I thought you'd take more notice of me dressed like this ..."
EXPLANATION
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours traditionally associated with Scotland. By wearing tartan, Samantha hopes David will pay more attention to her, as he has suddenly become very keen on Scotland and things Scottish.
VOCABULARY
To woo is to try to persuade people to support you or to buy something from you, especially by saying and doing nice things.
• Supermarkets
are trying to woo customers by cutting prices.
• The
party is clearly trying to woo women voters.
Scotland's Voice
BACKGROUND
The Scottish referendum takes place next week and will determine if Scotland is to remain part of the United Kingdom.
CARTOON
The cartoon by Chappatte from The International New York Times shows a (stereo)typical English gentleman (note the bowler hat and umbrella) drinking a glass of Bow No More whisky, which has just been served to him by his manservant. The manservant is showing him the bottle, which features a picture of an angry Scotsman on the label. The Englishman comments, "Strong character!"
COMMENTARY
The cartoonist plays on the double meaning of 'strong character', which could refer to the taste of the whisky or to the Scotsman on the label. The cartoon can be seen as a metaphor for the surprised reaction of the English to the strength of the Scottish 'Yes' campaign. The name of the whisky is also a play on words and a nod to Bowmore, a well known Islay single malt. If you bow (down to) to someone, you show respect to someone who is more powerful than you (just like the manservant, in fact).
The Tortoise and
the Hare.
BACKGROUND
Supporters of Scottish independence from Britain have taken their first opinion poll lead since the referendum campaign began, indicating a real possibility that they might win, according to a YouGov survey for the Sunday Times newspaper. With less than two weeks to go before the Sept. 18 vote, the poll put the "Yes" to independence campaign on 51 percent against "no" camp on 49 percent, overturning a 22-point lead for the unionist campaign in just a month, the Sunday Times said. YouGov said that the results excluded those who would not vote and those who did not plan to vote or did not know how they would vote. With those groups included, secessionists would be on 47 percent and those championing the United Kingdom would be on 45 percent, it added. Read more >>
THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Brian Adcock from The Independent uses Aesop's fable of the Tortoise and the Hare as a metaphor for the Scottish Independence race.The story concerns a Hare who ridicules a slow-moving Tortoise and is challenged by the tortoise to a race. The hare soon leaves the tortoise behind and, confident of winning, takes a nap midway through the course. When the Hare awakes however, he finds that his competitor, crawling slowly but steadily, has arrived before him. In Brian Adcock's version, the tortoise is Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond, and the hare is Alistair Darling, former Labour chancellor and leader of the Better Together campaign, which wants to keep Scotland in the UK.
NOTES
1. Tortoise is pronounced 'tortus'.
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From the English Blog
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