Indifference towards national identity: what young adults think about being English and British*

ABSTRACT. National identity should be sharply distinguished from nationalism. People speak by reference to a general and assumed membership of a country, and routine markers of behaviour and style may exhibit this sense of membership. This matter‐of‐fact acceptance of ‘national’ membership does not guarantee enthusiasm for the ‘nation’ and it cannot be taken as a signal of nationalism, banal or otherwise. While theoretical statements and assumptions often suggest that national identity is fundamental to individuals in contemporary societies, empirical investigation of people talking about national identity uncovers some broad strands of indifference and hostility towards national identity in general, and towards British and English identities in particular. This may reflect young adults' wish not to appear ‘nationalist’ just as many would wish not to appear racist. But the level of apathy and antagonism towards national identity among young adults suggests that we ought to reconsider any assumption that national identity is ‘normally’ a powerful and important marker, embraced with enthusiasm.     

语用功能视角下的模糊语研究

模糊现象在自然界、人类社会、人类思维中广泛存在。众所周知,在某些特定的场合下,模糊语比清晰精确的语言更得体更有效。本文简要回顾了模糊语的渊源,对模糊语进行了界定,论述了模糊语产生的根源,并将其与格赖斯的“合作原则”相结合探讨其语用功能。最后提出相应的语用策略,以期促进交际者充分利用模糊语积极一面,减少其消极影响,从而使言语交际顺利有效地进行。     

大英博物馆 世界上第一座国家博物馆

<正>世界上第一座国家博物馆大英博物馆,从不为人关注到成为英国的国家文化载体、大众的文化空间,在这一历程中如何发挥国家在文化载体、民族文化建构上的主导作用,以及实现国家与民众之间的互动,相信会给中国的文化建设以一定的启示。     

The travails of British labour

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Roy Hattersley, Choose Freedom: The Future for Democratic Socialism, London, Michael Joseph, 1987, pp. 265. $39.95 (cloth)

John Callaghan, The Far Left in British Politics, Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1987, pp. 249. $29.95 (paper)

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Michael P. Jackson, Strikes: Industrial Conflict in Britain, USA and Australia, Brighton, Wheatsheaf Books, 1987. pp. 232. $34.95 (paper)

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Andrew J. Taylor, The Trade Unions and the Labour Party, London, Croom Helm, 1987, pp. 320. £27.50 (cloth)