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Recipe of the Week: Vegetable Soup Emily Dawson Thursday, 24 November 2022 Recipe of the Week with @ems.homecooking will teach you a new dish from around the world. This week's recipe is a hearty vegetable soup, perfect to keep you warm and full as we enter winter. Serves: 4 Difficulty: 3/5 Time: 1 hour The use of ras el hanout in this recipe creates a plentiful and unique combination of flavours. This spice is a mixture of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper and cardamom, native to North Africa. This dish is a perfect lunch served on its own or as a dinner with garlic bread or salad. As the days get darker and colder, soup is a perfect tummy warmer to come home to or to take to university with you! Ingredients 1 onion 3 cloves of garlic 1 potato 2 carrots 1 courgette 1 pepper 1 cup of peas ½ cup of lentils 1 tin of chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato puree 1 chicken or vegetable stock cube in ¾ litre of water 2 tsp paprika 2 tsp ras el hanout 1 tsp cumin Salt and pepper Olive oil Method Chop all the vegetables into 1-inch cubes, place in bowls of water to keep them fresh. In a large pan on a medium heat, cook off the onions and garlic in the olive oil. Once the onions have softened, add in the paprika, ras el hanout and cumin and cook off for a couple of minutes. Add in the chicken stock, chopped tomatoes and tomato puree. Stir to combine everything together. After adding in the stock, chopped tomatoes and puree, add in the carrots and cook for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, add in all the other vegetables, including the lentils which should be soaked in boiling water for 2 minutes prior. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Cook on a low heat for 40 minutes until everything is soft. Leave the lid off for a thicker soup or leave the lid on for a thinner soup – this is personal preference. You can blend the soup once it is cooled, however I like to leave mine chunky. Again, this is personal preference. Enjoy! For more savoury and tasty treat recipes, follow @ems.homecooking on Instagram. About the Author Recipe of the Week: Shakshuka with Merguez Emily Dawson Recipe of the Week: Chicken Curry Emily Dawson Recipe of the Week: Vegan Pasta Bake Emily Dawson Images provided by Emily Dawson. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Emily Dawson Cuisine Cooking World Food Soup Categories: Culture Recipe of the Week Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

A Thai-ing Together of Culture and Cuisine: Zaap Thai Street Food Review Beth Walker Monday, 8 August 2022 Our Social Media Manager, Beth, recently ticked off a classic UoN bucket list activity and went to Zaap Thai Street Food. Read on to hear about her experience of a taste of Thailand in Nottingham As a third-year student, I have long awaited the chance to try Zaap. I’d heard great things about it and last week, the wait finally came to an end, and I lunched there with a friend. “The vibrant colours and cultural decor were unique and immersive.” Located near Maid Marian Way, Zaap just about escapes the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Upon first walking in, I was really impressed with how much character the restaurant has; it felt so authentic, as though I was walking down a busy street in Thailand. The vibrant colours and cultural decor were unique and immersive. When I visited it was quite busy, which heightened the busy Thai street food recreation too. We walked in and were shown to a table for two. Given my excitement at the setting and ambience, I couldn’t wait to try the food. The Zaap menu has a wide range of different Thai delicacies, and I was spoilt for choice – I’ll leave you to decide whether that’s a good thing or not. They also had a wide range of vegetarian options. What did influence my decision, however, was that it was all a little bit more expensive than I had imagined. Don’t get me wrong, items from the Zaap menu aren’t extortionately priced, but from a value-for-money perspective, you can go elsewhere and receive more for the same amount of money, or less. We ordered drinks before we got our food. My friend opted for a watermelon bubble tea, which was bright green but apparently very sweet and refreshing. I ordered a Virgin Thai Star mocktail, which was really nice and creamy, but unfortunately quite small. “…when our food arrived, I instantly had food envy.” As it was only lunchtime, I opted for two of the smaller dishes: chicken gyozas and a bao bun with satay chicken. My friend had ordered one of the curries, which I had fancied but thought might be too big for lunch, but when our food arrived, I instantly had food envy. Her curry looked amazing and, compared to the small portions I received, it was an appropriate size. Zaap’s chicken gyozas arrived first and while they were on the small side, they were absolutely delicious. These were unlike other gyozas I’ve previously tried, as their shells were pastry-like. I thoroughly enjoyed these and would order them again. My bao bun arrived shortly after, although not at the same time as the rest of our food. Unfortunately, I noticed a small dark hair on the side of my plate. While this was unpleasant, I did quickly notify the waitress and she took it away immediately. However, it was brought back very quickly, and the plate did look the same, so I am unsure whether I was given a new plate or the hair was just removed. I was a little bit put off by this, but the hair hadn’t been touching my food, so I proceeded to try the bao bun once the waitress had brought it back. The satay chicken was so tasty, as was the bun, although perhaps a little on the dough-y side. If I were to visit Zaap again, I would go for one of the curries that my friend had ordered. The staff were friendly but seemed rushed off their feet, meaning that aspects of the service were either rushed entirely or took far too long. For example, the waitress came and took one of our plates while we were still eating, but then we were sat waiting a long time to receive the bill. Overall, I did enjoy the food at Zaap and I think everyone should go just to experience the quirky decor and atmosphere. However, certain aspects of the restaurant let it down. In terms of value for money, staffing levels and perhaps hygiene, there is work to be done. ★★★ ☆☆ About the Author Hungry in St Petersburg? My Top 5 Restaurants for Visitors Jess Henrys A Taste of the Mediterranean in Nottingham: Review of Yamas Beth Walker Holi on the Downs 2022 Beth Walker Cover image provided by Zaap Thai on TripAdvisor. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Beth Walker Restaurants Thai Street Food Categories: Culture Nottingham Eats Review Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

Modern Languages with Business < Back Maya Selvadurai Latest Articles by this Author

A Concert and Album Review: From The Pyre - The Last Dinner Party at The Level Caitlin Morrell Wednesday, 29 October 2025 A whimsical evening, The Last Dinner Party ’s intimate matinee performance this evening (17th October 2025) at The Level had me levitating. From beginning to end, its theatrics and energy maintained a lively atmosphere as the award-winning band celebrated the release of their sophomore album for the first time with an early audience. It was already a long wait for the band’s arrival, with conversations in front of me at the general admissions queue saying they were waiting at 11am for a 6:30pm show. Doors opened at 5:30pm, and for a view by the barricade, people dressed in folk and vintage had waited since 3pm that afternoon with roses and a card sealed in a brown envelope. Three queues were formed: a general admissions queue, a queue for those who had bought a vinyl or a CD with their ticket and an accessibility queue. It was as confusing as it was frustrating for those who had to move to the back of another queue, already trailing down the wide pathways towards Nottingham Trent University. It was only when the avid fans (and the parents of said fans) trickled into the venue that the excitement occurred. The people around me discussed the album and what they couldn’t wait to see live. The Last Dinner Party’s newest album From The Pyre was only released that same day, and, due to this, I never got the chance to listen to the album in its entirety, beside their released singles. I was getting recommendations and the constant ‘you must see this album live’. The theatrics started suddenly, the lights dimming to black, with the only light source being a neon red from a sign – From The Pyre in calligraphic font. One by one, each band member, from bassist, Georgia Davies, to the other side of the stage their keyboardist, Aurora Nishevci , settled onto stage without their front member, Abigail Morris, who was nowhere to be found yet. The crowd screamed as the intro to ‘Agnus Dei’ played, and in leapt Abigail dressed in vintage white, signature to the band’s aesthetics. They soared through their openers, including ‘Count The Ways’, with graceful hands and a quieter crowd until ‘Second Best’, one of the released singles. It seemed that most of the concert attendees had not listened to the full album, or at least only part of it, before the performance. ‘Rifle’ was a standout performance to most, with guitarist, Lizzie Mayland, lead singing the track. Before the performance, a group of girls mentioned this song the most, stating that it had to be the best from the album. Their high praise was understandable from watching the show, with Mayland completely stealing this segment with haunting vocals. No theatrics or graceful hands were needed to show the catharsis behind the song, and that is what started to make the gig more intimate than a generic performance. With a French section with Aurora playing single chords, the track is an embodiment of violence and anger. Catharsis was the first thought I had when thinking back to my first (live) listen to From The Pyre . The Last Dinner Party is known for discussing womanhood and feminine rage in their ballads, inspired by classical periods of music such as the Baroque and Romantic eras. But their sophomore album is darker and richer, seemingly written and produced during dark times in discussing the complexity of relationships. Death may not have literally haunted them, but it takes many metaphorical forms in their songs: themes of loss are apparent, including the loss of love, self, power and choice. There is a hidden anger behind the music, lashing out at the songs’ subjects: on traumas, the breakdown of relationships and with the way of the world. Aurora Nishevci’s performance of ‘I Hold Your Anger’, also on theme with violence, was vulnerable, once again losing the theatrics in singing about generational trauma. Equally as vulnerable was the most intimate segment of the night, Abigail Morris’ raw vocals performing the ballad ‘Sail Away’ with just a keyboard behind her as she sang about heartbreak and nostalgia. ‘The Scythe’ was an emotional performance for the band, particularly for their lead vocalist. Abigail performed dramatically throughout the night, with waving hands and a mystical exterior. Her own performance on stage creates the alluring presence of the band, but what made this concert so interesting was how her exterior slowly broke. When outstretched fingers and twirls became clutched hands on the microphone, we saw Abigail just sing , at this point of the night almost at a breakdown point on the stage. Understandably, the release of From The Pyre proved emotional for the band, with it being released in the early years of what has, so far, been a successful career. I think that their reaction is admirable: a person tearing up on stage is a person passionate about their work. You can tell how much the moment meant to them. There are so many great things I could say about the performance, and there is also a lot I could say about From The Pyre . Their closing song, ‘This is the Killer Speaking’, with Emily Roberts skilfully leading the way as lead guitar, was upbeat and fun to round up the evening’s performance. It was a perfect choice made here which kept the mood high after some personal performances throughout the night. This intimate insight into The Last Dinner Party’s thoughts and fantasies proves an interesting contrast to their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy , in that they allow themselves to not only experiment with what is melodically capable, whilst also maintaining a high degree of self-expression. The tracks are even better when we push aside performative dramatics, which made certain tracks that evening stand out compared to others. It’s a standout album that I would recommend listening to if you are looking for thought-provoking insights into the complexity of humanity. Overall rating: 4.5/5 About the Author Finding the Light: Reviewing a Beeston Film Festival Variety Pack Holly Cromwell Promises (African Voices): A Variety Pack Review from Beeston Film Festival Harriet Rothwell-Inch The Zone of Interest (2023) - the new film from director Jonathan Glazer Sarah Taylor Header photograph (and all photographs) courtesy of Caitlin Morrell. Tags: music concert gig review Categories: Cultural Spotlight Cultural Guide City Guide Review Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

YEAR ABROAD TALES: the highs and lows of au pairing Mhairi MacLeod Tuesday, 24 May 2022 Have you ever considered au pairing in a foreign country? Not sure what it actually entails or if it is an experience for you? Our Deputy Editor, Mhairi, shares her rollercoaster experience of au pairing in Barcelona and the realities that come with it. After my term in Peru was cancelled due to the dreaded Covid, I found myself desperately reaching out to the Spanish family that I worked for in the summer of 2019. My friends and family thought I was crazy as all they had heard for the last two years was how I absolutely hated au pairing and that the pressure of looking after two feisty Spanish boys had formed stress lines on my forehead at the young age of 19. I would never do it again. I shouted this from the rooftops whenever anyone asked about my experience of au pairing. Yet here I was sending a jumbled WhatsApp message to the same Spanish family asking if I could come and live with them again for three months. A week later, I was unpacking my suitcase in the same spare room as last time. The room where I had cried so many tears on FaceTime to my parents saying I just wanted to come home (who knew a 4-year-old could make me cry). All I can say now is that I am so glad that I took the risk to go back as my memories of au pairing had been heavily overshadowed by the occasional bad moments back in 2019. I had forgotten just how incredible the experience had been, the friends and memories made, and the huge improvements to my Spanish. There’s nothing like being sat around a dinner table with what seems like hundreds of tíos y tías, primos y abuelos, all talking over each other in their fiery Spanish. In the middle of their heated debate, in an attempt to acquire some backup, one of them would ask ‘the English girl’ what she thought. What felt like hundreds of heads would turn to stare as I tried to form a coherent sentence in Spanish without crumbling from embarrassment. It really is a humbling experience and made an oral exam seem like nothing. Oh, and did I mention that I was living in a huge house in the middle of Barcelona, with a beautiful garden and pool? Now it doesn’t sound too bad at all. Like many things, the experience of au-pairing has its highs and lows. When I first stayed with the family in 2019, the two boys were four and six years old. For a 19-year-old, who didn’t have much experience looking after children, I was plunged straight into the deep end. How was I to know that a four-year-old could cry over his sandwich not being cut the right way? Or that the six-year-old was actually very fast and on several occasions decided to run off down the street and cause me to look like a crazy lady chasing him? It probably took around two months to settle in properly and for the boys to get used to me. After that, it got easier and in hindsight was really great fun. I discovered that the boys were hilarious, whether they knew it or not, and despite their tantrums and meltdowns, they were actually sweet children. Some of my favourite memories are teaching them to swim in the pool and singing Calma by Pedro Capó with them every day. The parents were also the kindest and most accommodating people I have met, who always wanted to make me feel at home. They took me on their multiple family holidays, to the mountains in the Pyrenees, their family home in Cadiz, and weekend trips to beach houses, they really were so generous. I got to experience the local version of Spain and I was made to feel like one. When I returned at the start of this year, the parents were even more welcoming and kind. They constantly praised me for doing a great job with the children and if I looked tired, they would offer to help or tell me to have some more free time to relax. My work schedule was so convenient, and I had so much time to explore the city again. I would wake up at 6 am and get the kids up and ready for school. They would leave for school at 8.30 am (or thereabouts, it was always a bit of a stampede) and later I would pick them up at 5 pm. That left me with a whole day to do absolutely whatever I wanted. I filled this time with language lessons, exercise, exploring the city, and going to the beach, the list was endless. At 5 pm I would walk to their school and look after them until their bedtime at 9 pm. Just in time to go out and have dinner and drinks with my friends in true Spanish local time. The weekends were also my time off and the family often went away so I regularly ended up with a free house and some much-needed peace and quiet. On the occasion that they didn’t go away for the weekend, I had a fun time explaining what a hangover was to the kids, and that ‘yes I don’t look well’. This second time around with the family was an incredible experience, despite the occasional tantrums and meltdowns. The kids were now six and eight years old, they were more independent and welcomed me into their little lives like an older sister. I also cried considerably less than the first time, which in au pairing terms is a great sign. I now have such a good relationship with the family that they treat me as one of their own. They are constantly messaging me to offer up their various houses in Spain for a holiday or telling me that if I am in Madrid I need to visit this amazing bar, visit ‘tío Pablo’ who will give me a lift to the airport, and meet ‘cousin Paz’ who will take me on a night out. The Spanish really do have family everywhere. It sounds funny to say but I feel like I have a second Spanish family and I know that should I ever need their help they will always be there. I got to know Barcelona incredibly well and felt like a local, giving city tours and guides to my friends and family from home. On top of this, I met some great people from all over the world at my language school, some of who I now consider some of my greatest friends. I realise how lucky I was to have such a great experience with this family, as I know it is not always the case for other au pairs. For me, the experience of au pairing was something that made me grow up very quickly, there is a lot of responsibility and suddenly you are the adult answering all sorts of questions from two very inquisitive children. My favourite was the classic ‘how are babies made?’ to which I swiftly tried to change the topic by pointing to a dog on the other side of the road. Make no mistakes, it’s tiring and when I say tiring, I mean truly exhausting. I remember being dropped at the airport after three months with the family and falling asleep at the airport gate from sheer exhaustion. At times it’s not glamorous and it will make you question why you ever signed up for it. However, I can truthfully say that it is an invaluable experience and in my opinion one of the best ways to learn a language and experience a foreign culture. Whilst it wasn’t my ideal year abroad, Covid-19 has meant that we must be flexible and adaptable. Oh, and let’s not forget the other spanner in the works called Brexit. It is ok to feel disheartened that things have not gone how you may have wished however, this is proof that sometimes the ‘worse’ option can work out for the best. About the Author Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod 48 Hours in Seville: Spain's Sunny City Niamh Woodhouse Barcelona’s must-visit Cocktail Bars Rosie Loyd Images provided by Mhairi Macleod For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Spain Year Abroad Advice Mhairi Macleod Living Abroad Au Pairing Categories: Travel Year Abroad Tales Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

Go globetrotting with our exclusive travel pieces. From year abroad anecdotes to raving recommendations, it can all be found right here. Travel "A place for writers to share. A place for readers to explores." NEW POST! 17 Mar 2025 Weekend Getaways: The Lake District Why not take a quick weekend getaway with your friends? It’s the perfect escape for busy students in need of a break from constant studying. A weekend trip lets you unwind, recharge and discover new places- sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery to shake off the uni stress! Read More 10 Feb 2025 Sustainable Travel on a Budget With flights cheaper than ever, often costing less than a return train to London, it‘s no wonder that modern globe-trotters are opting for this method of travel. However, the world is increasingly witnessing the drastic effects of climate change; thus we must take it into our own hands to begin to diffuse that which is (fossil) fueled by our own human activity. Read More 10 Feb 2025 Trips from Nottingham: A local’s insight Why not venture outside the borders of Nottingham for a day out or short-stay? Whether your goal is to take a break from studying, catch up with friends from your hometown, or simply to create some fantastic memories; this guide has you covered. Read More 10 Dec 2024 Year Abroad Tales: A glimpse into Corrientes, Argentina through journal entries Throughout my year abroad in France and Argentina I used journaling as a way of recording my thoughts and experiences. I am grateful I did this as now, when I read these entries back, I am able to connect with that time again. Rather than turn them into a traditional article I decided to exhibit some of my favourite memories just as they are: a jumble of scenes, observations and human connections. Read More 1 Oct 2024 Year Abroad Tales: The World’s Biggest Serranito When you think of Seville, what culinary delights spring to mind? Gazpacho, patatas bravas, or perhaps the famous Seville Orange Marmalade? Chances are, a Serranito spanning the length of a bridge isn’t top of your list - but that’s exactly what I witnessed during my first few weeks in the city! Read More 14 Jul 2024 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Interrailing Rachel gives us a comprehensive list of everything she wishes she had known before setting off on her interrailing adventure, sharing her top tips and tricks for a smooth-sailing rail holiday. Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 7 Meet the Editor Robin is an Ancient History student and the 25/26 Travel Editor (and unofficial Print Editor).

Russian Studies < Back Millie Stere Millie is our Global Affairs Editor for 2024-25. She has just returned from her year abroad studying Russian Language in Latvia. She loves to read, and is interested in current affairs and linguistics. Latest Articles by this Author Russian: The Language of a Coloniser 11/03/24

Southern Spain’s Architectural Gems Vicki Mileson Tuesday, 15 February 2022 Southern Spain is home to some of the world’s most enchanting architecture so we offered up some places to add to your travel bucket list. Andalucía is home to some of the most beautiful examples of Moorish architecture across the Iberian Peninsula... Between the 8th and 15th centuries, the Moors controlled most of Spain and their Islamic heritage is evident today across the southern regions of Spain. The Moorish buildings in Spain are some of the last few examples of Islamic architecture in Europe and although Moorish rule didn’t last forever, the monuments now attract tourists to Spain from across the globe. Here are just a few of southern Spain’s architectural gems to add to your travel bucket list. Granada Home to one of the most visited sites in Spain, La Alhambra in Granada has preserved its Moorish heritage. Meaning “the red” in Arabic , La Alhambra was used as a palace and fortress during the 14th century and its beautiful architecture has inspired other buildings all around the world. When Granada was later conquered in 1492, it was converted into the Royal Court of the Catholic Monarchs , Ferdinand and Isabella. The city has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and La Alhambra is one of the best-preserved Moorish structures in the world. Its walls are covered in Islamic carvings and mosaics and it overlooks the Albaicín quarter of Granada’s Moorish old city , with a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. Albaicín, the origin city of Granada, boasts a rich heritage of Moorish town planning and architecture . With narrow streets and small plazas, the area is marked by its unique and well-preserved Andalusian heritage. Sevilla La Real Alcázar de Sevilla is a massive walled fortress with mosaic domes, beautiful green gardens, ancient baths, and complex stonework. Some of the same artists who worked on La Alhambra contributed to the ornate interiors of the Alcázar. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is used by the Spanish royal family as their official residence, making it the oldest European palace still in use. Sevilla is also home to La Giralda – a Moorish bell tower that is part of the Sevilla Cathedral. You can climb up to the top for beautiful views of the city by walking up a series of ramps – installed instead of stairs so that animals could walk up to the top with food and water too. The Cathedral is the largest in Spain and uses a Gothic style, brought to Spain from France . The Gothic style cemented itself in Andalusian architecture thanks to the Reconquista. Córdoba Córdoba was once the capital of Islamic Spain. In fact, the Cathedral of Córdoba was so influenced by Moorish culture that it is better known as Mezquita (mosque). Complete with red and white horseshoe arches, it was originally a Mosque and the centre of Islamic life for the city’s citizens. It has been used as a Christian place of worship since 1236, when Christian rule took over the city. Like many other examples of Moorish architecture, the architecture carries a spiritual meaning. For example, there are 365 arches which are said to mimic the expansive world around us . Also in Córdoba is the Medina Azahara, the ruins of a medieval Muslim fortress . Originally named ‘The Shining City’, the ruins feature classic Moorish geometric architecture, terraced gardens and evidence of a Roman aqueduct. Spain’s rich history has gifted it some of the world’s most beautiful and complex pieces of architecture and Andalucía is home to some of our favourites. About the Author Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod 48 Hours in Seville: Spain's Sunny City Niamh Woodhouse Southern Spain’s Architectural Gems Vicki Mileson Copyright free images via Unsplash. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Architecture Spain Andalucia History Vicki Mileson Categories: Culture Cultural Guide Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

You Are Not Alone Jess Henrys Wednesday, 15 June 2022 This Welfare Wednesday we take a look into loneliness, something many students feel at university. One of our Welfare Secs, Jess Henrys, takes a look into the subject and provides some advice for our readers in aid of Loneliness Awareness Week. It’s may seem strange to suggest that language learners get lonely, but even these notoriously sociable creatures can be struck by the loneliness bug. For the Marmalade Trust’s Loneliness Awareness Week 2022, we’re taking a little look at loneliness and a few ways to fight it. Sometimes we all need a little reminder that we are not alone. What is loneliness? In May 2021, the ‘ What’s Up With Everyone? ’ (WUWE) campaign was launched to offer mental health support through a series of short films. The campaign found that “loneliness and perfectionism” were the two most prominent issues affecting young people’s mental health. A year later, the fact remains. As reported by the BBC last week , almost one in four students report that they are lonely most or all of the time. WUWE defines loneliness as: “The combination of feelings and thoughts that you are alone in the world. It is not the same as being on your own, as that can feel good and welcome at times. It is a more uncomfortable way of feeling and thinking”. Loneliness can often be linked with isolation, where you are cut off from familiar people, places or resources that are a support to you. You may feel like you don’t belong. If these feelings are familiar to you, know firstly that you are not alone, and secondly, that these feelings are temporary. They may even pass on their own. And there are things you can do to help. Images by the Marmalade Trust for Loneliness Awareness Week 2022 1. Look Inside WUWE recommends looking inside yourself and pinpointing the obstacles in your daily life that prevent you from connecting with others, and then becoming a conscious observer of those around you. Being curious teaches us about other people’s likes, dislikes, and personality traits, and how we can best interact with them. Remember also to be gentle with yourself. The following ideas may inspire you to conquer your loneliness, but you don’t have to do everything all at once. Taking care of your mental health often means taking baby steps and managing tasks and changes in bite-sized pieces. Set manageable goals and build up to them: you don’t have to jump straight into joining a new society or making twenty new friends… maybe start with calling someone you know, or meeting up for coffee, or sending someone a quick text to ask how they’re getting on. What’s more, if you’re feeling lonely or emotionally overwhelmed, make sure to keep yourself physically healthy, such as by getting enough sleep and fresh air. These small changes can make a huge difference to your perspective on life. Finally, have a think about those friends who you haven’t heard from in a while. Could they be feeling lonely? Could they benefit from a personal message, a catch up, or some quality time together? Be the first to make contact. It could mean the world to someone. 2. Look Outside Get social! The best way to conquer your loneliness is to get out there and interact with others. There are many ways to get connected at Nottingham with other people just like you. Join a Language Society No one understands the highs and lows of studying languages better than your fellow coursemates. If you’re struggling to make friends in your classes, or just want to reach out more, why not drop into one of UoN’s course societies? For example: The French and German Society ; The Hispanic Society ; The Russian Speaking Society and many other language and non-language course-based societies at UoN. Take a deep breath and say hi! Join a Lingo Social At Lingo, we understand what life is like for language students, and we’re happy to share the highs and lows with you. Keep an eye out on our social media pages for our next social event, and feel welcome to come along, whatever your subject or background. Or, for more one-on-one support, drop an email to your Welfare Team at lingomagwelfareteam@gmail.com and one of the team will get back to you and signpost you to available support. Find your other interests Life doesn’t have to revolve around your course. Sometimes it’s worth taking a step back from learning your language to enjoy other things in life! Whether it’s sports or song writing , cocktails or cups of tea , there’s a society for everyone at UoN. Don’t be afraid to explore the societies that pique your interest, even the ones you’ve never heard of before. Whether it’s something you’re already good at, or something completely new, societies can be a great way to meet new and interesting people (and a great way to forget about deadlines for an hour or so). Volunteer If you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, be assured that you are not alone. Sometimes, reaching out to others in need can be a great way to tackle and challenge your own loneliness. The UoN Global Buddies scheme pairs up UoN students with new international or Erasmus students in need of a friendly face. Apply to be a buddy here . Applications for September 2022 close on 13/07. 3. Look Professionally With practice, feelings of loneliness and isolation can loosen the hold they have on you. But, if the feelings seem to be sticking around, it may be time to seek professional help. At university, this support can be found: With your Faculty and Wellbeing Team – Email your dedicated Faculty Support and Wellbeing Team Faculty of Arts : support-arts@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Engineering : support-engineering@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Social Sciences : support-socialsciences@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Science: support-science@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Medicine and Health Science : support-medhealthsci@nottingham.ac.uk With the University Counselling Service – https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/counselling/student-counselling/student-counselling.aspx With Cripps Health Centre – Make an appointment with a dedicated mental health practitioner here: 0115 846 8888. In the outside world, help can be found - With the Samaritans : Call free, day or night, on 116 123 Or email jo@samaritans.org.uk With the SHOUT 85258 text line: Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service: Text SHOUT to 85258. With the Togetherall Online Community: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ About the Author Protecting your mental health abroad Aidan Cross Surviving Language Student Life: Scheduling Jess Henrys You Are Not Alone Jess Henrys Copyright free images via Unsplash. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Jess Henrys Welfare Wednesdays Loneliness University Mental Health Categories: Welfare Advice Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

What’s On in Nottingham: March Vicki Mileson Wednesday, 1 March 2023 Lingo Magazine’s go-to guide for the top cultural events going on in Nottingham this month. Kicking off with reading week for you arts students, check out what the city of Nottingham has lined up for you in March. Nottingham’s Craft & Flea – 4th March This craft and flea market houses a collection of independent collectors, designers and creatives under one roof for you to explore and come away with some bargains. The event takes place at St Mary’s in Lace Market and tickets are available here . Chinese Storytelling and Music – 10th March Join Ling Peng at the New Art Exchange’s storytelling workshop and explore Chinese instruments and music. This event is free and takes place between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Bonington Vitrines #20 : Spaces of Translation - European Magazines, 1945-65 – until 11th March Following World War II, many new journals emerged across Europe. Print productions boomed following years of privation and a lack of cultural contact between nations. It also responded to what a “European” identity may look like in the post-war era. This free exhibition explores this development in European history. St Patrick’s Day Festival – 17th March Looking for a way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day that isn’t in the pub? Nottingham Irish Centre are taking over Old Market Square with a day full of traditional Irish entertainment. There’ll singers, dancers and bands and its completely free! Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme – 19th-23rd March Broadway cinema in Hockley are hosting the JFT 2023 and promise 5 days of fantastic Japanese cinema. Over 5 days Broadway cinema is showing recent releases as well as classics. Check out listings and get your tickets here . Rosalind Nashashibi: Hooks at Nottingham Contemporary – until 7th May Over the next few months, the Nottingham Contemporary will host London-based artist Rosalind Nashashibi’s latest exhibition. Nashashibi was the National Gallery’s first artist-in-residence, developing a series of paintings in response to Velázquez, Ribera and Zurburán during her residency. Let us know if you attend any of these events – maybe even write a review for us! About the Author Southern Spain’s Architectural Gems Vicki Mileson Valentine’s Day Traditions Around the World Vicki Mileson Holi on the Downs 2022 Beth Walker Copyright free images via Instagram. Header image sourced from Pinterest . For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Vicki Mileson Nottingham Events Flea Market Cinema Categories: Culture What's On Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

French and Spanish < Back Kit Sinclair Kit studied French and Beginner’s Spanish. She spent the first half of her Year Abroad in Paris, so is well versed in the trials and tribulations of life in the famous French capital. During the second half of her year abroad Kit travelled to Cuba and studied at university for 5 months. Kit was our 2022/23 Language & Linguistics Editor. Latest Articles by this Author 24 Hours as an English Student in Paris: A Survival Guide 03/03/22

Impoliteness in Online Gaming: A Linguistic Analysis Kathrin Loithaler Monday, 4 November 2024 Have you ever had the delightful experience of joining a discord-voice chat full of guys as an innocent girl just wanting to play some League of Legends? Maybe not, but I certainly have, and as a result of my culture shock, I have made some observations on the language used within this specific environment. Content warning: Discussion of insults relating to self-harm, suicide and violence. There are a couple of things that separate online gaming spaces from the real world. For one, the presumed anonymity leads to lessened pressure in upholding social norms . This also has an effect on politeness: the need to be polite in communication isn’t as prevalent as it is in face-to-face interaction. Our self-image, or, following Goffman’s linguistic theory, the ‘ face’ , has two basic needs in interpersonal communication: (1) the positive face, which strives for validation from others and (2) the negative face, which strives for freedom of inhibitions by others. Both faces can either be catered to or attacked by face-flattering actions or face-threatening actions respectively. The positive face can, for example, be flattered by praise or compliments, and threatened by insults of personality. The negative face can be flattered by consideration of the other’s space and time, for example, through the use of politeness particles like ‘ please’ when asking for something, or threatened by direct commands , like the use of the imperative. In my search to find out more about specific patterns in impoliteness, I turned to online gaming spaces as the perfect environment to observe ‘unfiltered’ impoliteness. So – what better game to find out about impoliteness than League of Legends (LoL)? Renowned among the gaming community as the most toxic game there is , I went on a mission to find out how exactly insults in LoL present themselves linguistically and how often they occur in the selected LoL games. The data looked promising, especially after a few particularly tilted* players unleashed their wrath upon their poor teammates. Here are some of the recurring patterns in the insults in my dataset: Firstly, the use of animal denominators for players seemed to be very common. Everything from the simple ‘dogs’ to ‘brainless apes’ to ‘u fat low iq pig’ was used to insult teammates. The use of animal insults positions the insulting player as biologically and therefore presumably intellectually above the victim. This secures the insulting player a position of superiority, intellect and power by threatening the ‘ face’ of the hearer. A more extreme version of an insult would be the life-threatening insults that occurred in 40% of the games I analysed. After all, most people would rather be a ‘fat low iq pig’ than, well, dead. Insults ranged from ‘end ur life bro’ or the shortened ‘kys’ (k*ll yourself), to more elaborate descriptions like ‘wastes of oxygen’ or the simple command ‘SHOOT URSELF IN THE HEAD’. Even more cruel than animal pejoratives, these insults target the most precious thing each one of us has: our lives. Due to the lack of spatial closeness among the players, insults related to self-harm are used much more often than direct threats of violence in comparison to real-world spaces. This signifies a lack of power that the insulter has over the target of their aggression, which is compensated for by the most power-asserting linguistic structure there is: the imperative. The command to end one’s own life is the closest LoL players can get to men punching each other at a bar after spit-shouting ‘what u lookin at me like that?’. In total, the insult culture of League of Legends is an interesting space to analyse power dynamics and relationships. Sometimes, it can bring out the most creative of insults to avoid chat restrictions and player bans, resulting in strategies of impoliteness that are definitely worth further study. So maybe, all you bisexual black cat girlfriends should check out your nerdy golden retriever boyfriends’ Discord servers before fully committing to that new relationship? [*State of intense frustration and anger, exacerbated by negative in-game experiences, resulting in poor in-game decision-making and a decline in performance.] Note on sources: The data discussed in the article is based on a university research paper by Kathrin Loithaler, titled “Von Beleidigungen bis zum Bann: Sprachliche Aggression, die Umsetzung von Unhöflichkeitsstrategien und Chatbann-Vermeidung im Spielerchat von League of Legends”. About the Author Images provided by and credited to Kathrin Loithaler For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Culture Clash Language Gaming Culture Gaming language Categories: I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE