\Rob: Welcome to 6 Minute English with me Rob…
Neil: …and me Neil.
Rob: Today we're talking about national independence - that's when one
nation is free from control by another country. Neil, can you think of any
countries that have become independent?
Neil: Well, Scotland is talking a lot about this at the moment.
Rob: Yes, it is. It's a big political issue which we'll talk more about soon. And of
course we'll be looking at some words related to independence. But let's
start with a question. How well do you know your history? The Declaration
of Independence was made by thirteen American colonies that were
fighting for freedom from the British Empire. But do you know what year
that declaration – or announcement – was made? Was it:
a) 1776
b) 1786
c) 1796
Neil: I am pretty sure it's a) 1776.
Rob: You sound quite confident, don't you, but I'll let you know the answer
later on. Let's talk more about independence. We often hear about groups
of people campaigning or fighting for independence from the country
that rules them.
Neil: Yes, like the Basque people in Spain, or the Kurds in Iraq. This is when a
certain group of people want their own homeland to preserve – that's
keep alive – their culture or beliefs.
Rob: And sometimes, a whole nation wants to break away from the country
that rules it because it feels it would be better for its people. That's what's
happening in Scotland right now, isn't it Neil?
Neil: Well, not quite. Not everyone in Scotland wants to break away from the
United Kingdom. This is a plan suggested by the ruling political party in
Scotland – the Scottish National Party. But they are asking people to vote
on the decision.
Rob: And this vote on a single issue – or referendum – is happening in
September. Politicians who want Scotland to be separate from the UK are
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trying to persuade the public to vote in favour of independence. Other
politicians are trying to persuade people to vote 'no'.
Neil: Independence would mean Scotland would be able to control things like its
tax system, its immigration policy and people would have a Scottish
passport.
Rob: Well, let's hear from Alex Salmond, the Leader of the Scottish National
Party, talking when he first announced there would be a referendum.
What words did he use to describe how he wanted the debate – or
discussion – on independence to be?
Alex Salmond, Leader of the Scottish National Party
Divergent views are the very essence of democracy; robust debate is part of what
makes us Scottish. The exchanges, the criticism and the debate must be passionate –
how else could it be in Scotland? But let these contributions be based on fact, reason,
logic, rather than smears, or allegations or misinformation.
Neil: Alex Salmond said divergent views are the very essence of democracy –
so all different views are important and that is what makes a democracy.
And he encouraged debate about independence.
Rob: Yes and he said the debate should be robust – so strong, firm and
determined…
Neil: …and it should be passionate – expressing powerful emotions.
Rob: But most importantly, the debate should be based on real information –
facts – not misinformation or what he calls smears – in other words, lies.
Neil: Well, Scottish people will go to the ballot box in a few months' time to
vote. And if they vote 'yes' for independence, we, Rob, might have to
show our passports if we cross the border from England into Scotland.
Rob: Imagine that! And the Scottish people might lose the BBC – the British
Broadcasting Corporation – and get their own smaller Scottish
Broadcasting Corporation.
Neil: Of course, there's always been a – let's say – friendly rivalry between the
two countries. And we are used to our nations competing independently in
football and rugby tournaments.
Rob: Of course, being an Englishman I know who's best! But seriously, the idea
of an independent Scotland isn't that strange. The Act of Union, which
brought Scotland together with England and Wales, only came into being
in 1707. Before that, Scotland was independent.
Neil: And only last century, Ireland fought for its independence from Britain.
Rob: And in 1947, India succeeded in becoming independent from British rule,
a day that's now commemorated – or remembered – as a national
holiday.
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Neil: But, while some countries aim to have self-rule – another word for
independent rule – others want to share things which are usually unique
to a country. For example, the member states of the European Union work
together in trade and some share the same currency – the Euro.
Well, this brings us back to your question Rob, when some American
states declared independence from British rule.
Rob: Yes, that was the Declaration of Independence – but what year was it?
Neil: I said a) 1776.
Rob: And of course, you were right. It was 1776. This was the beginning of a
new nation that became the USA – and Independence Day is now
celebrated every year on the 4th of July. I wonder if Scotland will be
celebrating its own independence day in just a few years' time? OK Neil,
please could you remind us of some of the independence-related words
that we've heard today.
Neil: OK, here we go:
independence
declaration
campaigning
referendum
in favour of
debate
divergent views
robust
passionate
smears
rivalry
commemorated
self-rule
Rob: Thanks Neil. We hope you've enjoyed today's 6 Minute English. Please join
us again soon for another programme.
Neil: Goodbye.
Rob: Bye
