English Culture Videos

1. What comes to mind when you think of the term “state flower”?
2. Do you know the state flower of any other states? If so, which ones?
3. Why do you think states choose specific flowers to represent them?
4. Have you ever heard of the sego lily before? If yes, what do you know about it? If no, what do you think it might be like?
5. Based on the introduction, why do you think the sego lily is significant to the state of Utah?
6. In what ways do you think flowers can be important to people beyond their beauty?

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the video:

sego lily (noun): a flowering plant native to Utah with three main petals, often purple inside.

• The sego lily is a symbol of beauty and resilience in Utah.
• Every spring, tourists flock to see the vibrant sego lilies in bloom.

pioneers (noun): early settlers who migrate to and colonize a new area, often facing challenges and hardships.

• The pioneers braved harsh conditions to establish new communities in the American West.
• Our ancestors were pioneers who ventured into unknown territories seeking a better life.

designated (verb): officially assigned or appointed to a particular position or status.

• The town square was designated as a historical landmark by the city council.
• The classroom was designated as a quiet zone during exams.

blossom (verb): to develop or mature into something fully grown or developed.

• With time and care, their friendship began to blossom into something beautiful.
• Under proper nurturing, talent can blossom into remarkable achievements.

difficult (adjective): not easy, requiring effort or skill to overcome.

• Climbing Mount Everest is a difficult feat that only a few have achieved.
• Learning to play the piano can be difficult at first, but it gets easier with practice.

Good morning, everyone. I’m Randall, and I’m here just above, uh, Utah Valley. You can see snow on some of the peaks. It is the beginning of early summer. Today, I’d like to introduce you to a unique flower. It is called the sego lily, right here. The sego lily is, uh, the Utah state flower, and there are three main pedals, you can see right there. Uh, purple inside.

And the sego lily was designated as the Utah state flower in 1911. And when the early pioneers came through in the 1850s or so, uh, often in times when things were difficult, they actually used the sego lily as a food source. Uh, they actually ate the roots of it, so you can see right now some other sego lilies that are starting to blossom, or starting to bloom. A beautiful day out here. Again, the Utah flower, the sego lily.

1. Can you think of any flowers that hold special significance in your culture or country?
2. How do these flowers play a role in traditional ceremonies, rituals, or celebrations?
3. Are there any specific meanings or symbolism associated with these flowers in your culture?
4. Have you ever encountered any cultural practices or beliefs related to flowers from other countries?
5. Do you believe that flowers have universal symbolism, or do their meanings differ greatly across cultures?
6. Have you ever participated in or observed any festivals or events where flowers are prominently featured?
7. Can you share any personal experiences or stories related to the giving or receiving of flowers within your cultural context?
8. How do you think learning about the cultural significance of flowers from different parts of the world can promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation?