CD social category

[emilia_me]

Hello Jonny :)

I have just found this forum and it has made me very happy :)

About me: in January I started Diploma in Translation course (Eng-
Pol, Pol-Eng). I would appreciate if I could ask you for help.
Sometimes :)

I always try to search the net first but in some cases I need a
native speaker to help me understand a phrase properly.

So, if you don't mind I will ask my first question. What is meant
by "people in the CD social category"? The whole sentence reads: "It
has to engage new listeners; a younger, less metropolitan audience,
people in the CD social categories..."

And can you tell me if "Middle England" can have a connotation other
than the geographical one?

Thanks a lot and have a nice Sunday :) emilia

[jonathan.oakley]

Hi Emilia! Welcome to the forum. Your Translation Diploma course
sounds exciting and I wish you the best of luck.

I understand social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions
between individuals/groups in societies/cultures:

A = upper/middle class
B = middle class
C1 = lower middle class
C2 = skilled working class
D = other working class
E = lowest level of subsistence
F1 = Large farmers - 50 acres +
F2 = Small farmers - 50 acres -

So I guess 'CD' refers to a cross-section comprising lower middle to
working class groups.

I think 'middle England' refers to conservative middle classes who
live outside London.

Please feel free to post anytime you want and I will always try to
answer! :))

[emilia_me]

Thanks for your reply :)

As regards 'middle England' in the original text it was written with
the capital 'm' and 'Middle England' was used in the middle of a
sentence: "... and Middle England rose up to defend Radio 4 long
wave". That is why it was hard for me to believe that it refers to
something different than a geographical region. So if it was 'Middle
England' not 'middle England' can it still be the middle class you
mentioned?

[jonathan.oakley]

Yes...in the context you have just stated that is certainly what it
means....what sort of organisation do you plan to work in once
you've qualified? :)

[emilia_me]

Thank you again :)

What sort of organisation? A good question :) I have always wanted
to become a translator. A good one. An expert. When I pass the exam,
which I hope will happen in Jan 2009...

Thank you again ;) I've been thinking for a few long minutes how to
finish the previous sentence but I can't. You've just made me
realise that I still don't know what my plans are. Freelancing? A
book? My own tranlation courses? The last two have been my dreams
not plans so far ;)

I know I have to learn a lot and first of all I have to decide which
field is going to be my main one. I hope the course I've started
will help me make up my mind. As we translate lots of different
texts maybe I will discover something I am good at or particularly
interested in.

Anyway, thanks for asking. It's really nice of you :) I need to
think about the answer...

[jonathan.oakley]

Wow! I'm impressed that you want to become an expert! It's so good
to set your standard bar high. And your own translation course
sounds like a wonderful idea...if you can find some work
placement/experience as part of your course, then that might help
you decide which direction you want to head in.

I think you have a passion for translation so you'll probably be
very successful. :))

[emilia_me]

"to set your standard bar high" - nice expression,thank you :)

To be frank, with my current knowledge of English I avoid
mentioning "myself" and "expert" in one sentence. Especially, when I
speak to native speakers of English. But as you said - to be
successful one has to set their standard bar high :)

[jonathan.oakley]

Your English usage seems very advanced...I really like the idea of
you operating your own course...especially of you write the
materials yourself! :)

[Gość: Steve]

See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_class, which contains a section on Middle England.

[Gość: Steve]

Sorry the URL didn't work. It is en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_class

[Gość: Steve]

There's also an interesting commentary at www.lwbooks.co.uk/journals/soundings/class_and_culture/gannon.html. This gives a more political perspective, with its claim that "the term middle class has been dropped and a sub-group now popularly referred to as middle England dominates; and its projected interests commonly dictate political decisions".

It goes on to give the view of one side of the political spectrum, by saying: "Middle England, as much a mythical place as middle earth, is populated by Gordon Brown’s ‘hard working families’, and ‘Thatcher’s children’ – otherwise known as the amorphous ranks of the middle classes. ... they are assumed to be insular, resentful and generally phobic – homo, zeno, agro, etc. These voters can be bought and sold on the promise of being ‘tough on crime’ – they live in fear of change and are ultimately conservative with a lower case c.

Further political analysis then follows.

Personally, although I understand the emotive meaning of both middle class and Middle England (and of social groups C and D, for that matter), I have no clear idea of what the descriptions really mean in practice. The lines between people of different work types, income brackets and cultures are too indistinct to clearly separate them. Like the article implies, the groups are fictional, but the stereotypes are useful enough to be treated as real.

[Gość: grazia]

Hi Emilia and Jonathan! I'm doing exactly the same course and exactly the same
homework ;-))) Best regards to both of You, thanks for helping me out ;-))