How should I explain briefly with clear, simple phrases to K2 students about the defination and relationship between a continent, a country, a state, a nation, a province and a county?
Tks / ju
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Good morning, Ju.
(1) You have asked a SUPER SENSITIVE question.
(2) I shall answer your question in a super discreet and diplomatic manner.
(3) Anyone who answers should remember that this website is devoted to
language -- NOT to controversial political matters. If one does not write
discreetly, his/her post will be deleted.
(4) This is what an official of a certain political entity said in English:
"We believe there is one nation and two countries."
(a) By "nation." he seemed to mean people who share a common culture and history.
(b) By "country," he seemed to mean a self-governing political entity.
(5) This article also said that many people in that "certain" political entity did not feel that their native language contained an adequate word to explain the concept of "nation." So when those people speak in their NATIVE language, they insert the ENGLISH word "nation" or "state" in
their conversation.
I dare not say more. I hope that this may help you a bit.
Have a nice day!
*****
My source is the magazine English Today, October, 1999.