英语国家概况——名词解释.docVIP

The Collection of the Important Terms (1-34) 1.Commonwealth： It is a free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britain. It has no special powers. And the nations are united because of economic reasons. Under the Commonwealth, the nations develop. 2 .The Chunnel： In 1985 the British government and French government decided to build a channel tunnel, which is called “Chunnel”, under the Straits of Dover so that England and France could be joined together by road. The Chunnel was open to traffic in May 1994. 3. Cockney： It refers to the person from the East of London. He is a Londoner who is born within the sound of Bow Bell. He has a special accent in his speech. 4.Eisteddfod： Eisteddfod is the Welsh word for “sitting” National Eidteddfod is the most famous festival of music and verse in Wales. It takes place each August and lasts for about a week. The highlight of the festival is competition for the best epic poem about Wales written and read in Welsh. The winner is crowned Board, considered the supreme honour in Wales. In this way the Welsh people keep the Welsh language and culture alive. 5.Stonehenge： It is a group of huge monuments of grant rock Slabs on salisbury plain in Southwest England built as long ago as the New Stone Age. It is generally believed that stonehenge served some sort of religious purposes. 6. Beaker Folk： they were the people came to Britain from central Europe at about 2000BC. They were so called because they were fond of drinking and buried themselves in the bell-shaped beer container. They developed their own farming society. 7.The Celts： The Celts came to Britain in three main waves. The first wave were the Gales, the second wave were the Brythons and the Belgae came about 150BC. The Celts were practised farmers. The Celtic tribes are ancestors of the Highland Scots, the Irish and the Welsh, And their languages are the basis of both Welsh and Gaelic. They religion was Druidism. 8. St. Augus