29 - 29 - Dialog 29 | Текст песни

• Тексты песен
• 29
• 29 - Dialog 29

Tell me about your country. I would really like to hear about it. Where do you come from?
I am from a very small country. It is called Scotland. It is one of the three countries of Great Britain. The other two are England and Wales.
Of course – I know a little about it. Do many people live there?
No, it is not a very large country. We have a population of six million.
And what is the capital city?
It is a city called Edinburgh. It has a population of half a million. It is not the largest city in Scotland. Glasgow, which is in the east of Scotland, is actually much larger. I think it is twice the size of Edinburgh.
I have never been there. What system of government do you have? Can you describe it to me?
Well, we have an unusual system. Several years ago, Scotland received partial independence. That means that we have our own parliament. The leader of the country is called the First Minister. However, the parliament has limited powers. We are still part of Great Britain. Foreign policy, for example, is controlled by the British government.
That’s interesting. What about the economy?
I don’t know much about it. Our economy is very closely tied to England’s economy. Scotland has some oil in the North Sea, which provides some revenue. The country also has a strong financial sector. Many banks and accountancy firms are Scottish, and are based in Scotland.
Do you have neighbouring countries? Which countries do you share a border with?
We only share a border with England. It is a very relaxed border. I mean we can drive between England and Scotland without a passport. There are no border controls.
I know some other things about your country, of course, but what is it most famous for?
Well, the national dress is very famous. The men wear a kilt, which is similar to a skirt, but it is much heavier. They wear it for special occasions, such as parties and weddings. We are also famous for our bagpipes, a musical instrument, which is very loud!
Surely it is famous for more than that. Tell me something else about it!
Well, we are famous for our beautiful scenery. There are lots of mountains and lovely lochs. A loch is the Scottish word for a lake.
What about your customs and traditions? Do you have any?
Hmm, let me think. One very famous custom is ‘first footing’. On the evening of the 31st of December, the local people visit their neighbours. The first person to cross the threshold of a house is known as the ‘first-footer,’ because their foot crosses the doorway of the house first. The first footer usually brings a gift of coal and salt. The coal represents warmth for the year ahead, and the salt represents flavour.
That sounds like an interesting custom.