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Iran: The Significance of the Hijab and Why We Must Do More Emily Dawson Wednesday, 15 February 2023 Iranian women are currently lining the streets in protest of the mandatory hijab and dress code. With support coming from all over the world, it is time we speak up about the deeper meaning behind the protests. Being forced. Being asked. Do you know the difference? Do you think people should have the right to decide? Women in Iran are currently being deprived of this basic right. Following the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September, Iranian protestors have filled the streets fighting and protesting the brutality of the so-called ‘morality police’ and the strict dress codes enforced by the Islamic Revolution. Mahsa Amini was killed by the country’s police after being arrested for not correctly wearing her mandatory hijab and not conforming to dress expectations. Statements explain how Amini was beaten and struck several times before she died, yet the government is denying any wrongdoing. As of 4 December, six people have been sentenced to death, at least 26 others are currently facing charges for crimes that could see them hanged and 459 people have been killed. This hasn’t stopped the protestors from standing up for what they believe in. The mandatory ruling of the hijab, a religious piece of clothing associated with modesty and one’s commitment to Islam, was established in Iran in 1983 , with the expectation that all women, whether they are Muslim or not, would conform to the code. Ruling this item of clothing as mandatory is against what the hijab represents. Prior to 1983 , when the government were advocating for women to remove their hijabs, many women wore the hijab as a way of protesting against the government. Ironically, the opposite is now taking place. Women are currently taking to the streets in protest of the mandatory hijab. These women are fighting the violence of the so-called morality police with peaceful, non-violent demonstrations. They are removing and burning their hijabs – something which for many Muslims, not just in Iran but around the world, is a very significant and striking move. Removing the hijab has caused controversy across the country. Revealing their hair demonstrates their opposition to the strict rules imposed by the Islamic government. Burning their hijabs is a very strong and significant form of protest, considering the religious connotations of the item. This act is done not with the intention of destroying the religious hijab but instead to get rid of the restrictions for women that come with this obligatory dress code. These protests go to say that if the government can’t respect the religious perspective surrounding the hijab, then neither can the women of Iran. These demonstrations have certainly had the desired reaction; mobilising people around the world regarding a woman’s right to choose. Word has spread very quickly across the globe about the protests and the severe violence that the people of Iran are being subjected to. However, media-led discussions have been minimal. Why, when the media have such a power to help, do they sit silently? While the media have discussed the situation in Iran, reports focus on results rather than reason. These reports talk about the level of violence inflicted on the women, but not why the women are protesting. This style of reporting means the public draw their own conclusions that the religion is oppressive against women when this is not the case. It can be put down to the desire to remain oblivious; these events aren’t happening in the Western world therefore they don’t affect us. However, there is a need to discuss the whys behind the headlines; why these women are protesting, why the mandatory hijab is so significant and why this goes against everything taught in the Quran. There is a need to educate. Without these conversations, the Western world will remain blindfolded to what Islam is about and there will be no change in the way the Muslim community is viewed, therefore, perpetuating Islamophobic ideas. Everything comes back to education; the media have the means to educate and therefore the responsibility to do so. With the protests showing little sign of coming to an end , support has grown from all over the world; both men and women are standing in solidarity with the protestors. The latest form of protest can be seen with the Iranian footballers at the Qatar World Cup, who in their first match did not sing the national anthem. However, this didn’t come without risks. The players, who were originally told by their coach that they could protest if it aligned with FIFA’s criteria, have been informed that if they continue with this form of protest, their families will be imprisoned and tortured. These protests have spread across the world, with many of the world’s main cities fighting for ‘justice for Iran’. One brave man at the World Cup ran across the pitch as a form of protest with “Respect for Iranian women”, among other things, written on his top. If people who go about their daily lives with no connection to Iran can show such bravery, why can’t the media drive the change we need to see? About the Author Emily is a fourth-year student, studying Spanish, Chinese and Business. She is an avid baker turned chef who can often be found in the kitchen making content for her Instagram (@ems.homecooking). Emily was our 2022/23 Treasurer. Iran: The Significance of the Hijab and Why We Must Do More 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 Iran Protests Women Hijab Categories: Analysis Global Affairs 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! 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Promises (African Voices): A Variety Pack Review from Beeston Film Festival Harriet Rothwell-Inch Thursday, 2 May 2024 A review of Promises (African Voices), a Beeston Film Festival short film variety pack spotlighting a selection of excellent African cinema: Climate in the Minds of Artists, Hearts of Bwindi, Muna, Een Saam (Farther), I Promise you Paradise, & Father's Day. Very rarely do we see African voices prominently displayed in cinema, so to have an entire feature filled with short films with African voices as the central focus was exciting. This variety pack contained both documentaries and short films, and platformed the voices and stories of people and communities from Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Egypt, and Somalia; stories of climate change, conservation, family, grief, strive, and above all, connection. Each of these short films fit snugly into the overall festival theme: ‘Protest and Resistance’, and not always in the way one would expect. To me, these films emphasized the subtle ways in which resistance is manifested; individually, collectively, and naturally. Climate in the Minds of Artists Four Tanzanian artists specialising in different artistic mediums ponder the question: “What does climate change mean to you?”; offering their unique insights and perspectives on the issue and the ways in which they take inspiration from it and other aspects of nature for their work. While most of the dialogue was in English, one interviewee was constantly switching between English and her native language (I want to say Swahili, but it could be any of the many African languages that exist) – as a languages student this brought me a lot of joy. I enjoyed the split screen editing that showed multiple clips of African nature, the interviewees, and their artistic processes side by side. The overall message of the film was surprisingly positive; life will continue, it may not be life as we know it, but it will adapt and continue. A charming presentation and appreciation of African art and nature. The Hearts of Bwindi This documentary was a beautiful appreciation of the natural world and a spotlight on those who fight to protect Uganda’s biodiversity in Bwindi National Park. Focusing on the ways wildlife rangers and local communities strive to live harmoniously with the forest, this left me feeling stunned by the beauty of the forest and by the cinematography and filmmaking choices. I particularly enjoyed the way the filmmakers periodically used the camera to draw focus to individuals against the stunning natural backdrop of the forest: with the slight movement from the backdrop in these shots, I felt like I was watching a compilation of live photos which focussed on and celebrated each person as a key element in the fight against natural destruction. As the documentary ended, the cinema filled with the glorious natural sounds of Bwindi National Park, leaving me feeling hopeful and at peace. Muna A portrait of multicultural immigrant families in Britain. What particularly struck me with this BBC short film was the isolation of the main character: British-Somali teenager Muna. No one seemingly has her back: her parents have specific rules and expectations of her, her brother is seemingly favoured, and her friends (who we only see through digital overlay of their group chat messages over the camerawork) don’t understand her. The presentation of a specific cultural and religious family dynamic was, to me, incredibly insightful and eye-opening. I highly recommend watching if you want more insight into multicultural Britain. Een Saam (Farther) A heartbreaking depiction of a father’s struggle after the loss of his wife and subsequent estrangement of his son. The excellent cinematography, flawless acting, and beautiful storytelling: this short film effortlessly blurred the lines between reality and memory and filled the cinema with such a profound sadness that I couldn’t help but internalise it. Yeah,I cried…a lot. The film depicts the different kinds of loss and grief in a sensitive and almost cathartic way. It’s a difficult and emotional watch, but that’s what made it stand out to me and why I sincerely recommend you watch it too. I Promise you Paradise An Egyptian short film depicting the fear of African migrants desperate to escape to a new life. Unfortunately, a technical issue with the subtitles meant I was unable to understand the dialogue in this film. Granted, much of the film was without dialogue, only music, but where there were conversations, I found myself relying on visual cues and the physicality of the actors to piece together the story. However, I found that this actually enhanced my viewing experience and made the film more impactful. Straight out the gate I sensed that something monumental had happened, I just had no idea what, and that tension remained palpable throughout the film. As the story reached its climax and the final pieces fell into place, the music fell away, leaving behind a silence emphasising the reality of the dangers desperate migrants face for a chance at a better life. Impactful and profound. Father’s Day In this South African film, Alake is being raised by a single mother but, after being called upon to give a speech for Father’s Day, tries to find his father. The film is beautifully made; the camera work and soundtrack captured the complicated nature of broken families and single parenthood through the eyes of a child sensitively and in a way that conveyed the emotional toll these situations take on both parent and child. Unfortunately, the subtitles weren’t working, so I couldn’t understand the parts of the film in Zulu. Thankfully, the final speech in this film was in English, so not only could I understand what was being said, but I could also react to and appreciate the emotional impact of story. An insight into how perceptive children are and a wonderful commentary on the importance of mothers. I strongly recommend going to Beeston Film Festival next year if you didn’t get the chance to visit this time around! About the Author Harriet was Lingo's Editor-in-Chief for 2023-24, and continues to write for us as an associate member. She is a houseplant fanatic, self-professed tea goblin, travel bug, and language learning enthusiast. In addition to English, she speaks Spanish & French, and spent time working in both countries during her Undergraduate degree in Modern Languages. She is currently studying for an MA in Translation! 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 Beeston Film Festival: Highlighting the Truths of Womanhood in Film Emma Burnett Image provided by Beeston Film Festival. 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: cinema review Africa Beeston Film Festival Harriet Rothwell-Inch Categories: 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

Translation MA < Back Aidan Cross Aidan is one of the founding members of Lingo Magazine and has a passion for languages – never studying less than three at once, hoping to become a polyglot! – as well as the histories and cultures of the peoples and places that use them. They are especially interested in translation and the connections between different languages and cultures across the world. They are looking forward to being Lingo's Treasurer this year and making the magazine and society as inclusive, informative, and interesting as possible. As for languages, Aidan is in their final year of Hispanic Studies & History at the University of Nottingham, studying Spanish and Portuguese, and in their free time also studies Korean - and has recently started learning Italian! Latest Articles by this Author Exploring the history of the Vikings in Scandinavia, Part 2 – Stockholm & Copenhagen 11/04/24 Translating voices from the past 17/02/24 The Influence of Arabic on the Spanish Language 11/04/24 Culture Spotlight: Capoeira Society 05/04/24 Exploring the history of the Vikings in Scandinavia, Part 1 – Oslo 26/03/24

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

Interview with Daria Morozova Juliet Kennedy Tuesday, 10 December 2024 Daria is an artist who, through her work, explores the complicated connection between cultures and languages. Juliet had the opportunity to interview Daria to find out more about her influences, her work and her goals. Daria was born in Tallinn, Estonia, and has lived there her whole life. However, all her family roots are Slavic - from Russian, to Ukrainian, to Bessarabian. Coming from a Russian-speaking family in Estonia, her work explores challenges of identity, focusing on the experiences of Russian ethnicity in Estonia. Namely, language barriers, assimilation, and the emotional struggle of living between two cultures. She draws from both personal and social experiences, intending to show that identity is complex and ever-changing. By mixing abstract and figurative elements, she reflects feelings of connection and isolation. Growing up in Estonia with Slavic roots, how do you navigate the connection between your Estonian environment and your family’s Russian, Ukrainian, and Bessarabian heritage in your work? To start, I’d like to clarify that while my Slavic roots are diverse, I feel more closely connected to Russian culture. My mother is from St. Petersburg, as were her mother and grandmother. Until the invasion, I had visited St. Petersburg multiple times, and it remains in my memory as something warm. Slavic culture is incredibly broad and varied, so I feel it’s essential to mention that my work right now mainly explores Russianness. In my art, I blend elements that are hard to assign exclusively to one culture or another. It’s as challenging to separate them in my paintings as it is within myself. But if I had to, I’d say the Estonian side in my paintings is represented by blue—a color that holds deep meaning for me and in which I feel I currently live. The Russian side, on the other hand, is red: beloved and beautiful but currently intense and complex. For example, my duo of paintings, “awareness” and “rejection”, reflects a period in my life when I wanted to hide my Russianness and the moral exhaustion that came with that desire. In what ways do your two cultural backgrounds influence your identity? How do you express this duality in your art? It’s difficult for me to separate which part of me comes from which culture since they’re so interwoven. In 2020, I tried to divide them and always ended up feeling like I was either the “wrong” kind of Russian or not quite Estonian enough, haha. It took me some time to understand that both backgrounds influence me almost equally and are equally important to me. Now, I want to find the shared, relatable aspects within both backgrounds, bringing them together in my paintings. A good example is how I’ve begun approaching complex themes and emotions through nature. Estonian nature deeply inspires me, and I spend a lot of time in the forests—just as I grew up with Russian fairy tales, where nature often takes center stage, and looking at paintings by Shishkin, Aivazovsky, and Kuindzhi that my mom showed me. Later, I discovered Estonian painters like Konrad Mägi, Aili Vint, Paul Raud, and others on my own. There’s something beautiful in the shared love of nature between both cultures. For instance, in one of my recent works, “Wind blew the wrong direction”, there are pines—trees that feel like home to me both here and there. A forest that will listen to anyone. I am interested in the video piece, “I would stop being…”, which aims to give a voice to Russian-speaking Estonians. Can you tell me more about it? Over the past three years, the themes of language barriers and belonging have become central for me. Until university, I didn’t have a single Estonian friend due to the strong separation of communities in Tallinn. I learned Estonian fairly well in school, and when I found myself as the only Russian-speaking student in my university cohort, I made friends and was understood. Still, it took at least six months to adapt to the Estonian slang and fast pace. Studying was more challenging for me than for native speakers, and although my environment was friendly and tolerant, I still felt like an outsider. Even though I grew up in the same country, the cultural context was very different. I’m the first in my family to speak Estonian fluently. All the media I consumed growing up was in Russian and later in English, but not in Estonian. So when my new friends talked about local television stars, I’d just blink and smile without any idea of who they were talking about. This situation might seem tiny but still in it, and all other similar, I inevitably felt lonely. This feeling was one of the reasons I wanted to know how other Russian speakers in Estonia were managing and what difficulties they faced, especially in such a tense time. This led to my video piece “I would stop being…”. The work has three parts: a performance, narrated stories in the video, and an additional booklet with text. It was essential for me to experience what it would be like to try removing my cultural layer and literally burning it—the performance video reflects this. However, the core part is the anonymous stories and statements by Russian-Estonians about their self-perception as Russian speakers. When I read the stories sent to me by anonymous respondents, my heart broke at the amount of pain they endure. There were so many stories, and they felt so important to me that the ones not included in the video ended up in a separate booklet. The piece received a range of responses. Some people liked it very much, while others criticized it, feeling it came from a victim’s perspective, which was never my intention. Currently, I’m working on a new exhibition, and this piece is one that will undergo significant changes. I believe I’ve found a very good way to enhance it. Do you think your art helps to create a dialogue between Russian-speaking communities and Estonian society? Yes. I think one of the main goals of this series of works was to start a dialogue. I wanted to show an honest side of identity and Russianness, and, for instance, give a small platform for those who have experienced something very difficult but have no one to share it with. How do you hope viewers will connect emotionally with your work? Do you aim to help them reflect on their sense of identity and belonging? I feel it’s essential for this theme not just to hang in the air but to be internalized by anyone who encounters my work. I genuinely hope that my works can give viewers a small push to look inside themselves and reflect—about themselves, others, and their place in this complex world. The topic of identity is broad and challenging. I have been seeing a psychologist for two years now, where we also work through my perception of myself as a Russian speaker. Art is one of my ways of “healing.” Because Russian speakers are almost marginalized, expressing pain related to identity is challenging, if not impossible. So I wanted to create small spaces where anyone with an internal identity conflict—not just Russian speakers—could express themselves. I think it’s essential for people’s traumatic experiences to find a verbal outlet. At my exhibition “To Become A New” in Narva, I created a small zone with a questionnaire where people could anonymously share their stories. For the upcoming exhibition of same works in Tartu, I plan to create something similar, but in the form of a notebook. Perhaps, when I have enough anonymous stories, I’ll make a publication that brings them together to form a portrait of the self-perception of Russian speakers in Estonia and beyond. In what ways do you hope your work contributes to a broader conversation about the experience of being a Russian-speaking Estonian? I think my primary focus is the desire to start a dialogue between Russian speakers and Estonians. My work, as an artist, reflects my experience as a Russian-speaking Estonian, which, in turn, can become part of a broader conversation about what it’s like to live at the intersection of two cultures. In my paintings, I explore questions of identity and belonging and the emotional and cultural transitions I face. I hope my art can help people understand more deeply what it’s like to exist at the intersection of cultural worlds. This is not only about cultural clashes or assimilation but also about the richness that comes from existing within multiple cultural spaces at once. How can an interested reader engage with your art? You can easily find me on Instagram by @dariakylm :)) About the Author Juliet is our Culture Editor for 2024-25. She is a student of French and Russian. She is interested in art and literature, and loves writing and travelling. Images courtesy of Darya Morozova. 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: interview Art estonia Russia 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

Electrical & Electronic Engineering < Back Jasmine Johal Jasmine has lived in the UK her whole life but has been brought up in an Indian household. She can also speak Mandarin at around B2 level and this year she is learning French alongside her degree. As an engineer, she is hoping to use her passion for languages and diverse cultures to travel the globe and work on a range of different projects! Latest Articles by this Author The Bubbling History of Boba 11/03/24 How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionising the Tourism Experience 09/02/24 Beyond Creatures: Unveiling Pokémon’s Multicultural Universe 26/01/24 A Complete Overview of Sikh Wedding Functions 23/12/23

Translation and the Untranslatable Aidan Cross Tuesday, 15 February 2022 Aidan explores words and concepts that cannot be directly translated into English and what they reveal about translation and culture. The Anglophone world has evolved into a melting pot of languages and cultures. English is one of the world’s largest languages, both in terms of vocabulary and usage, and part of this is that it has adopted foreign words into its vocabulary. Yet, there remain words that simply can’t be translated into English, and these present an interesting question on the accuracy of translations. They also emphasise the importance of the culture behind a language. Saudade - Portuguese Perhaps the most famous, and my favourite, example of this phenomenon is the Portuguese word “saudade”. There is no direct translation of this beautiful, bittersweet word into English that carries the same weight and emotion as the original. “ Saudade ” is a deep state of nostalgia or longing for something or someone, often with the sense that what is longed for cannot be regained. It’s the memory of happiness and the presence of its absence. The feeling of “saudade” is integral to Portuguese history – from the rise and fall of the Portuguese Empire, to emigrants longing for their homeland – culture - a popular theme of Portuguese music, particularly the 19th Century genre of fado – and literature. The problem in translating this word to English is that we lack an equivalent feeling, and therefore, we can’t capture the same emotion and have to settle for the most-often used translations of “bittersweet”, “nostalgia” or “longing”, although these are missing the depth of “saudade”. 효도 - Korean As well as words that cannot be directly translated, there are concepts that don’t translate into English because of cultural differences. For example, the Korean word “효도”, romanised as hyodo, is an untranslatable concept of filial duty, a traditional moral duty to be a good son or daughter. It relates to both in the way that you treat your parents and the way that you live your life, as family and respect for your elders are much more important in Korean culture than in western, English-speaking countries. Therefore, because no such concept exists for English-speakers, it’s hard to translate the word “hyodo” as we don’t have the cultural background, influenced by Confucianism, needed to fully understand it. Mediodía and La Tarde - Spanish Other words can be directly translated yet have distinct cultural meanings. Something that I have experienced whilst living in Spain, for example, is that whilst “midday” and “mediodía” is a direct translation, “midday” is used by English-speakers to refer to noon or 12p.m. whilst to Spanish-speakers, “mediodía” refers to the time that they eat lunch. This means that “tarde”, although a direct translation of “afternoon”, doesn’t refer to the same period of time; in England, most people consider “the afternoon” to start after 12p.m. whilst in Spain, “ la tarde” starts after lunch , which could be as late as 3p.m. The untranslatable is one of my favourite phenomenons because it requires us to not just know the language, but to truly understand the culture to which it belongs. It also presents an interesting challenge for translators to accurately convey the meaning of a word or concept that is foreign to English-speakers. About the Author Aidan is one of the founding members of Lingo Magazine and has a passion for languages – never studying less than three at once, hoping to become a polyglot! – as well as the histories and cultures of the peoples and places that use them. They are especially interested in translation and the connections between different languages and cultures across the world. They are looking forward to being Lingo's Treasurer this year and making the magazine and society as inclusive, informative, and interesting as possible. As for languages, Aidan is in their final year of Hispanic Studies & History at the University of Nottingham, studying Spanish and Portuguese, and in their free time also studies Korean - and has recently started learning Italian! Translation and the Untranslatable Aidan Cross The Problem with Pronouns Niamh Woodhouse Violeta by Isabel Allende: One Hundred Years on the South American Continent Mhairi MacLeod 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: Aidan Cross Translation Spanish Korean Portuguese Categories: Language Study Language and Linguistics 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

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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

Staycations: What Does the UK Have to Offer? Emma Burnett Tuesday, 26 March 2024 We're all going on a summer holiday! Emma recommends some of her top staycation destinations for a jolly holiday here in the UK. Particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, and now with the ongoing cost of living crisis, the staycation has become the most viable holiday option for many Brits. Along with facility and affordability, staycations have many benefits, from the removed stresses of exchange rates and up-to-date passports, to the freedom to be spontaneous or to cancel last minute, and being able to travel with pets. If you’re considering booking a staycation this year, here are some of my favourite spots across the UK: Edinburgh Edinburgh, my beloved. Quite possibly my favourite city in the UK, and certainly my most visited. Every time I venture to Scotland’s capital, I find something new to fall in love with. It is truly a city full of wonders. The most magical part of the city, in my opinion, is The Royal Mile (pictured above), nestled in the heart of the picture-perfect old town. Explore the many independent shops and cafes dotted along the winding, cobbled street. There is an abundance of ‘must-do’ activities in Edinburgh – certainly something for everyone. Whether you want to culture yourself in the many museums on offer, spend all your money in St. James’ shopping centre, or take a gander through the West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh has it all. Other notable mentions are of course Edinburgh Zoo, Arthur’s Seat and the Edinburgh Dungeons. Lake District The Lakes are the perfect staycation destination for those who love to spend their holidays in the great outdoors. From open water swimming, mountain hiking and kayaking, you can pack your schedule full of activities. There are so many beautiful lakes, mountains and towns to explore, meaning you can find yourself on a different adventure every time you visit. For me, the ideal day out in the lakes would be: a morning walk around Lake Windermere, followed by kayaking and a picnic lunch. Then a short drive into Keswick, where I’d browse the shops, possibly treating myself to an ice cream before settling into one of the town’s many superb restaurants for dinner. Finally, a sunset dip in Derwentwater Lake and possibly a few drinks in a lakeside pub. Perfect! Cardiff Now, it has been a while since I’ve visited the Welsh capital, but nonetheless its impact remains. Cardiff, the city by the sea, is a small but vibrant city. Aside from taking in the city’s chirpy seaside vibes, you can take a walk around Cardiff Castle, catch a show at St David’s Hall or get historical in the National Museum. A great way to see Cardiff is by bike – cycle around Cardiff Bay or Mermaid Quay whilst taking in some of the city’s many landmarks. Padstow, Cornwall Despite being a classic British holiday destination, Cornwall is never lost on me. Wherever you go in the UK, you’re chancing the weather – but holidaying in Cornwall might give you a slightly better chance of catching some rays. Cornwall is a heavenly slice of the UK, with miles of beaches, idyllic fishing villages and, of course, the Cornish pasty. Padstow is a particularly lovely corner of Cornwall, with its bustling town centre packed with independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, and a little harbour, too. From Padstow, you can take a sunset stroll to some of Cornwall’s more secluded beaches, or even choose to sail to the nearby Newquay. You may even find yourself forgetting that you’re in the UK! There is no shortage of staycation destinations in the UK – all of which you can easily access by rail, car, or coach. I for one am not finished exploring what the country has to offer – and I have an extensive staycation bucket list to prove it: - Bristol: for the city’s rich culture. - Bath: for its impressive architecture. - Cambridge: for the chance to try punting. - West Scotland: for its beautiful beaches. - Norfolk: for sailing through the broads on a houseboat. When it comes to staycations, there are so many ways to get the best out of the UK, even as a student. Firstly, I’d suggest looking inwards – how about a hometown holiday? As someone who lives in the North East, I’ve always enjoyed exploring the peaceful beaches of Northumberland, the historic city of Durham and the electrifying nightlife of Newcastle. Even if your staycation is just up the road, it’s a great way to have a change of scenery. Another way to see more of the UK is through visiting friends at university. Not only is it a great way to explore a new city with friends, but you also get free accommodation. And finally, UoN’s Travel Society offer excellent UK travel opportunities at significantly reduced prices – their upcoming trip to Bath and Bristol will be one to remember. The UK truly has a vast range of staycation spots to offer. And with holidays abroad climbing in price and costing the environment, when else would be a better time to ditch the vacation and take up the staycation? About the Author Emma is our Editor in Chief for 2024-25. She is a third year International Media and Communications student and aspiring journalist. She loves being a part of Lingo as it allows her to combine her passion for arts, cultures and languages with writing articles. Embedded images provided by Emma Burnett. Copyright free header image 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: staycation travel holiday UK Emma Burnett 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

Mechanical Engineering < Back Aaron Gil Aaron is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student, who likes learning about languages and would love to share some knowledge about his mother tongue of Punjabi which he is currently trying to learn. Latest Articles by this Author Tone in Indo-European Languages: Let’s take a look at Punjabi 31/10/22

International Media and Communication (MA) < Back Anika Jennifer Mariel I'm a passionate writer with a Journalism degree and a desire to spark discussions and explore perspectives on both light-hearted and significant topics. I'm set to start my Master's degree at the University of Nottingham soon. I've always been drawn to languages, and I'm a polyglot myself! I speak English, Tamil, Hindi, German, and Korean. If I'm not writing, I'm definitely playing video games, or watching my favorite show. As someone who loves the idea of languages and culture, Lingo is perfect because it helps you explore things that you wouldn't have even known to explore! It encompasses everything that I look for in a magazine, and I'm looking forward to contributing to it! Latest Articles by this Author Growing Up Bilingual 16/12/24 Unveiling Hidden Connections: The Surprising Parallels Between Korean and Tamil 25/07/24