Is the terminology describing parts of the British Isles really so hard to understand?

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castrol75

Now that you've answered that question? who are Americans? lol

eayrin

Chrissie

P!ssed off much? Yeah that annoys me too, so I know how you feel :P

And the British Isles does not refer to the Republic of Ireland.

Pete M

I'm afraid that you are not entirely correct. Firstly Scotland and England are 'Constituent Countries' of (Great) Britain, while Wales is a Principality (hence the Prince of Wales) and Northern Ireland (or Ulster) is a Province. In it's fullest description, the United Kingdom is "The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man"

You are however 100% correct in saying that the geographical "British Isles" does include the whole of the 'island' of Ireland, north and south. This is a purely geographical description and has nothing to do with political/national boundaries. It's a bit like Australia and New Zealand being jointly referred to as 'The Antipodes'.

I hope this makes things clear to one and all.

MnM

haha you tell em!

salforddude

Its a shame we cant put 3 colour pictures up to explain it

bmwdriver11

Huh, thanks for the lecture- too bad you arent entirely correct. I work with a number of Gentlemen from Dublin, Republic of Ireland on a daily basis. They very, very strongly inform me that the Island that they, and Northern Ireland reside on is NOT a part of the British Isles, despite your claim to the contrary.
Given that- is it really that difficult for you to understand why people from other places might get a bit confused? Are you, for example, able to give a similar lecture on how the archipelago of Indonesia works for the "uninformed" masses?

marzmargs12

It is easy if you understand what the Union Jack is made up of.

Fred Flintstone

The terminology is not hard for us "Brits" to understand but the Yanks - as some of them have never travelled outside of their own state I would think they would struggle.
Good explaination but you missed out the Channel Islands lol.

paranoidtaxi

Well put but the americans will still be too stupid to understand it

Banwa

Probably because it is confusing. I am British and I live in the UK, and I never know whether or not I should say I am from Britain, or UK or England. I can see why people find it confusing, and don't understand why you can't...

Rotifer

I reckon it is. I'm fed up of it as well, like most Scottish and Welsh people. You've got to remember that most people are total f*ckwits, and trying to get them to remember facts about their own country let alone another is a lost cause. Just feel superior when you hear them refer to Britain or the UK as England.

moikel@btinternet.com

American Bashing - I love it.

But don't bee too hard on them 90% of Americans haven't left their home state let alone the USA and being uneducated is almost admired in the US.

Try to be gentle on the many are Ignorant of the facts and believe the rubbish they are told about being in charge of the word!!

AndyB

The British Isles does refer to the republic of Ireland. They may not be British, but the island they live on is part of the British isles.

How can Northen Ireland be part but not the Republic?

The British Isles is all the islands around Britain, includng Ireland.

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