English speaking countries and Commonwealth an introduction

English speaking countries and Commonwealth – an introduction Simonetta Gatto Istituto Comprensivo di Casella (GE)

The Commonwealth of Nations

What is it? The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Commonwealth, is a voluntary association of 53 independent states, most of which are ex British colonies (except for the United Kingdom itself, Mozambique and Rwanda).

Its objectives The Commonwealth is an international organisation of countries which have diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds. They cooperate to promote democracy, human rights, individual liberty and world peace.

The Head of the Commonwealth • Queen Elizabeth II • The first head of the Commonwealth was her father George IV. • The title was devised in 1949.

The headquarters is Malboughrough House and it is in Westminster, London.

The language of the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth Games Every four years the Commonwealth of Nations organize a multisport international event: the Commonwealth Games.

Last and next Games

Some sports are not played at the Olympic games • • • Squash Lawn Bowls Rugby seven Netball Cricket

Seventeen sports • • • Aquatics Athletics Badminton Boxing Cycling Gymnastics Hockey Judo Lawn Bowls • • Netball Rugby Sevens Shooting Squash Table Tennis Triathlon Weightlifting Wrestling

The English speaking countries do not concide with the Commonwealth

How many “Englishes”? English is one language, but there are several varieties: the two most important are: • BE = British English • AE = American English

How do British English and American English differ? • Vocabulary • Pronunciation • Grammar • Spelling