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The Perfect Blend: Coffee, Church and Community Arabella Moore-Smith Friday, 2 May 2025 Beyond the Campus is a collaborative reporting project involving over 20 students from four student publications across the Midlands. Lingo has joined Impact, Redbrick and Platform in combatting negative student stereotypes by highlighting the ways they give back to their local communities. Often seen in the hands of students, locals, and commuters in Nottingham is a cup of coffee. There is a kind of forward-moving element to coffee, helping drinkers through the various endeavours of their days. As such, students including myself from the local church, Holy Trinity in Lenton, have been taking out a coffee cart most weeks into Lenton to give out free coffee. We aim to exist as a hopeful presence that people can engage with on their way to lectures, work, a walk, or even things like hospital appointments. Courtesy of Arabella Moore-Smith, Coffee cart volunteer Alexander Johnson, 21, Liberal Arts student. It has proven to have such an impact on both those receiving and giving out the coffee; far more than we ever imagined as a church. The idea began when Daniel Bocchetti, 33, originally from Naples, Italy, and the curate at Holy Trinity felt it would be good, as he says, "...to have an outreach community activity to bless the student community; to let them know that we as a church are here for them; that there is someone in the community that is thinking of them - because church isn’t somewhere that you would just walk into." Daniel clearly states the importance of church visibility in Lenton, and, to emphasise the church’s warm reception of local students, it soon became clear that students should be the ones running the coffee cart. “I wanted students to see the fruits of it [the coffee cart] themselves,’ says Daniel. ‘Doing it is a different story than hearing it.” Sam Ross-Russell, 21, a fourth-year veterinary medicine student, was one of the students at Holy Trinity to become involved, and he says that doing so "...has changed, just in general, my view of who is in Lenton; the elderly; the lady with the dog; homeless people.” He adds that “Church can seem so generational,” and that “this God that claims to be real is actually for you - not some God that has written you off.” Church activities like this strive to live out the belief that we do not limit joy to just ourselves, but spread it to the wider community. I have discovered in running the cart that doing something as simple as giving out a coffee can really contribute something poignant to the spirit of the community. It shows the wider community that actually, as Sam’s expresses, “...we are a deeply kind and generous generation”. Manning the coffee cart outside Jubilee Campus. Courtesy of Arabella Moore-Smith. Scarlett Reeve, 19, originally from Sheffield and a nursing student, who visited the coffee cart comments that “It was really helpful to just have a chat with a stranger and just that small interaction helped a lot… it creates an open space where people can stay and chat or simply get a pick-me-up throughout their day; it can make the biggest difference.” And through getting to know Scarlett, I realised that her story reveals the importance of faithfulness, dedication and commitment. Without us returning to the same spot just outside Jubilee Campus every week, we simply would not have got to know Scarlett; and this is not meant in the sense that we have done an exceptional thing. Her feelings just show that the simplicity in having a genuine chat with someone can go a long way. Faithfulness is, also, not necessarily a word people use to describe students; resident resentment towards students in their living areas is not uncommon, and for valid reasons. This gives us even more reason to want to change this rhetoric. The coffee cart helps locals to see that students do indeed care for the wider community, beyond boozing. We are faithful. And I believe that it not only shows our community that there are people who care for others outside of their immediate circles, but that the church is driving them in this endeavour for our community. The possibility for positive movement that churches bring is essential, with a hope and joy that feels a little more long-lasting. Beyond the Campus, students are striving for the greater good of our community stretching further than their own concerns and endeavours. The coffee cart is a microcosm of the hope that we are indeed a loving age group, and we have not forgotten about the community in which we study. About the Author Arabella is a Theology student and the 25/26 Culture Editor. 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: I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. 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

Protecting your mental health abroad Aidan Cross Wednesday, 23 March 2022 To celebrate our very first Welfare Wednesday, one third of our fantastic Welfare Team, Aidan, shares their advice for staying on top of your mental health whilst being away from home. Whether you’re studying, working, or volunteering abroad, traveling and living in another country is an exciting and rewarding experience. It’s normal to feel stressed, anxious, and even lonely at times, but there are some things that you can do to protect your mental health and make sure that your year abroad is as safe and enjoyable as possible. Perhaps the best advice for your year abroad is to say “yes” to new experiences. The friends and memories that you’ll make during your travels will last a lifetime and will help you to settle in and really feel at home. Exploring your city and country, the food and culture will help you to learn, grow, and feel more comfortable, and it can also be a great way to de-stress. However, remember that it’s okay to say “no”; you don’t have to be doing something new and exciting every day to enjoy your year abroad! As well as making new friends and having new experiences, it’s important to take time for yourself. You’re doing something incredible, but challenging, so be kind to yourself! Some days are going to be harder than others. Some days you’ll miss home and your loved ones. Some days you’ll feel as though you don’t understand anything of the language and culture. Having a support system is key to surviving those days. Chat with your friends and family back home, meditate, listen to music, read, play games, watch Netflix, go for a walk, exercise, or whatever makes you happy. And finally, know where you can access support! Reach out to the Year Abroad team at Nottingham or our Welfare Team here at Lingo Magazine, and we can direct you to the right services. 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! Protecting your mental health abroad Aidan Cross Surviving Language Student Life: Scheduling Jess Henrys You Are Not Alone Jess Henrys Images provided by Jess Henrys. 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: Tips Living Abroad Working Abroad Mental Health Welfare Aidan Cross 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

Is sustainable travel possible during your year abroad? Chloe Brewster Wednesday, 16 November 2022 To coincide with the current COP27 summit, Chloe considers the possibilities of travelling sustainably during the year abroad which can potentially produce a hefty carbon footprint. At a time when the devastating realities of climate change are increasingly apparent, living sustainably is not just a distant ideal, but a necessity. Travelling is often perceived as a major source of pollution – undoubtedly not helped by cheap flights – and there are increasing calls for people to reduce their use of polluting modes of travel to save the planet. This raises the question: how do you travel sustainably during your year abroad? Is it possible to travel without leaving a massive carbon-emitting footprint? As this article will explore, the answers are not necessarily straightforward, but sustainability is not an unattainable goal as you embark on your travels. Reaching your destination A key image that springs to mind are flights – who hasn’t posted an Instagram story of the view out the plane window at the beginning of their travels? However, air travel is the complete antithesis of sustainability and releases huge amounts of carbon emissions; for example, The Guardian estimates that one flight from Manchester to Barcelona generates a significant 259kg CO2, and undoubtedly emission rates are considerably higher the further you travel. For many year abroad destinations (including Asia and South America), air travel is almost certainly the only means of transport, so it is difficult to find a sustainable alternative. Travelling cheaply with Ryanair from Stansted Airport - but at what price to the environment? On the other hand, students who are spending their year abroad in mainland Europe have more options, notably Eurostar which travels to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. If your destination is neither of these capital cities, you can opt for coaches such as Flixbus or Blablacar, both of which are cheap and eco-friendly. Yes, travelling by coach can be exhausting (i.e. overnight journeys) and it isn’t an option for the faint-hearted. But Europe is ahead of the curve by offering sustainable modes of transport for the masses without costing a fortune, and you couldn’t better immerse yourself in European culture by travelling more sustainably. Or you could opt for trains within your host country; the affordability of rail cards (some for youth, others for local regions) further incentivises people to use public transport in a way to which we are not necessarily accustomed in the UK. Ultimately, whether you are studying or working in Europe or beyond, keeping air travel to a minimum is a major factor for reducing your carbon footprint. Don’t feel too guilty for flying to your destination if that’s the only option to get there, but be mindful about the frequency with which you fly (either home or elsewhere) – for example, is it really necessary to fly home for a weekend? Would it be sustainably wiser to fly home for a longer period of time, such as during the Christmas holidays? Sometimes, it is easy to be tempted by a cheap getaway (and we are all in need of a holiday occasionally!) but living and travelling sustainably can require some self-discipline (and possibly some sacrifice). Travelling within your host country Once you have navigated the tricky waters of travelling to your destination, it is remarkably easier to travel sustainably within the country where you are spending a semester or year abroad. It is highly unlikely that you will bring a car with you to your host destination (keeping your hold luggage below the weight limit is challenging enough), so that immediately eliminates one threat to you carbon footprint. Using public transport – as mentioned previously – is the way to go to be as sustainably conscious as low as possible. However, it is of course easier to travel sustainably within cities or bigger towns compared to small towns or even villages. Cities usually offer a wider range of public transport, such as trams or even biofueled buses, so there are clearly inequalities between urban and rural environments in terms of sustainable travel. Regional train to Luxembourg from Belgium One popular (and healthy!) way of keeping carbon emissions low (or zero) is cycling, which is quite common in many European cities where you can even rent a bicycle on a monthly subscription. Several French cities, including Paris and Strasbourg, run their own bike-rental services to encourage more sustainable travel habits among its citizens and visitors, which is often cheaper than purchasing a monthly bus or tram pass (although those sustainable modes of transport are not to be overlooked). All in all, being a sustainable traveller against the current backdrop of an environmental and climate crisis is not an easy task. However, any gestures that we can make – however small they may seem – are indeed better than doing nothing at all. While getting to our destination are important, it is what we do while we are there for months at a time which matter on a daily basis, so research ways in which you can get around your host destination and the country before you leave the UK, as well as investigate any alternative ways of getting there if you can avoid air travel. It might seem daunting, but you can travel sustainably and happily! About the Author Chloe is a final year French student who has studied abroad in Strasbourg and wants to share her experiences of travelling - including as a solo female - in Europe. She is particularly interested in French culture (if there is a fine arts museum around, she will find it!), but living in Strasbourg has exposed her to other cultures (German, Swiss, Luxembourgish, you get the gist...). Taiwan Diaries: Quarantine Rosie Loyd Why you should visit Strasbourg Chloe Brewster YEAR ABROAD TALES: the highs and lows of au pairing 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: Chloe Brewster Sustainability Environment Trains Year Abroad Categories: Travel Analysis 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

The economic value to the UK of speaking other languages: realistic or idealistic? Rosie Loyd Thursday, 17 March 2022 With the demand for foreign-language speakers on the rise, new research has uncovered just how valuable these skills can prove to be to the UK on an economic level. Examining the current and future language-learning scene, 3rd year Spanish and Mandarin language student and Current Affairs Editor, Rosie Loyd, highlights this report’s main findings. Comparing these against the clear trend of declining uptake and accessibility to certain languages, beginning in primary schools and working its way up to university level, she poses the question of whether our government’s vision for a “Global Britain” is realistic or, rather, idealistic. According to a new report , published by the University of Cambridge and the not-for-profit research institute RAND, investing £1 into the learning and education of Arabic, French, Mandarin, or Spanish, could return approximately £2. Using a macroeconomic model with hypothetical scenarios, researchers examined the UK’s economic performance between now and 2050, assessing the different outcomes if more students at Key Stage 3 (KS3) and Key Stage 4 (KS4) were to study one of four languages, reaching a level suitable to a business setting. The study was based on the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP), an initiative being delivered in state schools since 2016. The programme’s aim was to have 5,000 students on track to attain at least a B1 level (HSK3) in Mandarin by 2020 at the end of Year 10, followed by a GCSE in Year 11. As of September 2021, there are around 8,000 pupils enrolled in the programme. Researchers calculated a cumulative increase of £11.8-12.6 million in the UK’s GDP by 2050 if there was a 10 percentage point increase in the uptake of Arabic at KS3/KS4, and between £11.5-12.3 million for Mandarin. These two languages correspond to about 0.5% of the UK’s GDP in 2019, whilst French (£9.2-9.9 million) and Spanish (£9.1-9.8 million) figures, correspond to about 0.4%. To arrive at these calculations, the study considered the costs required to provide such language teaching, noting that programmes such as French and Spanish, which are likely to be already well embedded in schools, would cost less, whilst Mandarin, and especially Arabic, would be most costly. Furthermore, researchers considering the relationship between languages and bilateral trade flows found that a full eradication of language barriers with Arabic-, Chinese-, French- and Spanish-speaking countries could increase UK exports annually by about £19 billion. It is clear that languages and the opportunities they create have the potential to bring significant returns to the UK economy. But this is wholly dependent on the assumption that there will be a continued uptake of foreign languages in the coming decades. Recent statistics suggest that this is not looking likely. The 2020 Language Trends report , published by the British Council, showed that although French remained the most taught language at KS2 level (primary school) in 75% of the responding 608 schools, followed by Spanish taught in 25%, Chinese was available in less than 3% of schools. Arabic was not on the list. In the same study for 2021 , responses from 756 schools presented French and Spanish with similar figures to the previous year, whilst Chinese was at 3%, and Arabic was taught in less than 3% of primary schools. There is a consistent uptake of French and Spanish for GCSE exams with over 120,000 and 100,000 entries recorded respectively. Mandarin and Arabic, among others, fall into the category “Other modern languages’”, which saw a drastic decrease in GCSE entries from approximately 31,000 in 2019 to just over 22,000 in 2020. Fewer GCSE students taking languages means fewer A-Level students developing these languages to a higher level. There is a clear domino effect reaching universities, with acceptances onto modern language degrees decreasing by 36% between 2011 and 2021. Analysis There seems to be no issue with the uptake of French and Spanish across all levels of education. That’s promising, then, if this new report’s estimates for economic benefits are something to go by. The lack of Mandarin and Arabic in primary schools, however, must be addressed, not only to reap supposed economic rewards, but also to keep up and develop alongside the ever-changing yet constantly interconnected world. There are, after all, over 1 billion Mandarin speakers. And, whilst these two languages are considerably more complex than European languages - I can vouch for that as a University Mandarin language student - they are, nonetheless, crucial when it comes to both business relationships and the continuous need for communication abroad. One reason many students opt for French and Spanish, even when other languages are available, is because those are traditionally what their parents were taught in school. The lack of non-European language teachers further reflects this. The ‘otherness’ that students might associate with languages to which they are unfamiliar, such as Mandarin, Arabic, or Japanese, for example, needs to be quashed with urgency. These languages, and their people, are the future, and one will no doubt look foolish if seen fumbling about with Google Translate in a few decades’ time. The recent government report on a ‘global Britain’, addresses our need to communicate with China going forward. But is this realistic or idealistic? One section suggests that “China’s increasing power and international assertiveness is likely to be the most significant geopolitical factor of the 2020s. […] Open, trading economies like the UK will need to engage with China and remain open to Chinese trade and investment. […] Cooperation with China will also be vital in tackling transnational challenges.” If “cooperation”, then, is so very pressing, the government needs to take more action and responsibility to counter the clearly declining figures of uptake for GCSE exams and above. The most obvious place to start is by targeting primary schools, where education begins. Providing more language teachers, more funding for material and, most importantly, making languages such as Mandarin and Arabic compulsory subjects on curriculums will be the first most crucial steps. Until a significant number of students begin to study these languages, thus making it the “norm” in schools, there will be no continuous flow of the subjects’ uptake. Languages are an invaluable skill. The government needs to make sure its citizens have every opportunity possible to access these languages, which have the potential, as this new report suggests, to reap rewards for the economy. About the Author As a keen Spanish and Chinese linguist, I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to share contemporary and engaging stories with readers. I love discovering surprising news stories that don’t always reach the headlines and finding a way to present them in a digestible and relevant fashion. Rosie spent her year abroad in Barcelona and Taiwan. You can read about her incredible experiences here on Lingo Mag! Rosie was our 2022/23 Current Affairs Editor. 5 podcasts to help you improve your French Niamh Woodhouse The economic value to the UK of speaking other languages: realistic or idealistic? Rosie Loyd Our top 5 tips for keeping on top of your Chinese Rosie Loyd 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: Rosie Loyd Language Learning Economics UK Government Categories: Language and Linguistics Analysis 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

Fashion Saturation: ‘Stockholm Style’ and the resurgence of Scandi-Minimalism Francesca Beaumont Friday, 3 March 2023 Francesca offers a cultural analysis of the 'Scandinavian Capsule Wardrobe' and how it acts as a fissure in the foundations of Fast-Fashion With the post-pandemic cultural consciousness invariably speeding up the rate at which we navigate our way through ‘up to date’ attire, fast fashion is one of the most captivating aspects of contemporary culture. Yet, ‘Stockholm Style’ offers something different in this fast-paced frenzy of fashion cycles. Over the past months, there has been an interesting return to ‘the basics’ – an up-levelled basic. A basic that is timeless, luxurious, sustainable and synonymous with that of ‘Scandinavian Style’. The phrase ‘Scandinavian capsule wardrobe’ has been floating around fashion spaces for years, but it has recently incorporated itself into the mainstream cultural bias of what it takes to be effortlessly stylish. The Scandinavian capsule wardrobe consists of a simplistic colour wave; white, black and light-toned browns, with the occasional inclusion of navy and cream stripes. A pattern which, interestingly, has been mostly attributed to that quiet luxury aesthetic of old yachting money. Scandinavian menswear consists of tailored work pants, form-fitting shirts, cashmere or wool sweaters – usually draped over shoulders – and robust loafers. And the staples of the femme Scandi wardrobe include plain durable tank tops, a pair of mom jeans, high-neck woollen sweaters, usually paired with a black skirt, and Birkenstocks or plain black boots. As a trend, it is essentially the return of a high-quality basic. The Scandinavian style makes sure to ascertain a certain androgyny for the wearer and with its sleek, minimalist garment framings, it is not difficult to look important when adorned in a Scandinavian capsule wardrobe. However, every fashion trend eventually becomes saturated with the digital. And one of the most effective ways to ‘ruin’ a trend is by fast-fashion companies refining a trend and churning out cheap replicas. And thus, cheap consumer culture ingrains itself into every trend. But, because the message of sustainable minimalism is at the very epicentre of Scandinavian fashion, the capsule wardrobe interestingly manages to transcend this repackaging of consumerism and becomes one of the few fashion trends that can be considered genuinely sustainable. Scandinavian designer, Latimmier, in an interview at the 2023 Copenhagen Fashion Week argued that sustainable design is not enough: “ In the times of fast fashion and overconsumption, fashion needs a deeper purpose ”. This almost paradoxical emergence of a minimalist, sustainable fashion movement seems to be society's reaction to its own obsession with over-consumption. The trend itself is a rejection of TikTok maximalism. In an attempt to migrate ourselves away from the clunky Y2K revival, the 300-dollar Shein hauls and the bi-weekly pattern of microtrends, we will now see the world try to imitate the quiet, sustained luxury of Scandinavian style. For Latimmier, ecological sustainability goes along with social sustainability. So, the popularisation of the Scandi wardrobe will, most likely, act like a fissure in the fabric of the fashion system. This is not to say fashion-focused globalisation will halt, but it’s interesting, that in the age of fast fashion, this trend’s focal point is re-wearability and sustainability. About the Author Francesca is a Philosophy student, who loves reading Lingo articles as she is really interested in languages, travelling and culture. So thought she'd try write some of her own! Fashion in Paris: Autumn Edition Aoife Grimes McTavish Foreign Film in the Face of Western Commercialism Francesca Beaumont Fashion Saturation: ‘Stockholm Style’ and the resurgence of Scandi-Minimalism Francesca Beaumont 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: Francesca Beaumont Fashion Scandi Nordic Fast Fashion Categories: Culture Analysis 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

Liberal Arts < Back Esha Singh As part of my Liberal Arts degree, I study Spanish and have returned from my year abroad in Spain and Cuba. This experience, combined with the interdisciplinary breadth of my studies, has provided me with invaluable insights into the dynamic relationships between language, identity, and culture. I am also interested in pursuing a career in journalism, and with a magazine like Lingo that intersects language and culture, I am eager to translate my experiences and offer my contributions! Latest Articles by this Author How students help build tolerance on and campus and beyond 01/05/25

Encanto: The Deeper Meaning Behind Disney's Award-winning Latino Film Mhairi MacLeod Tuesday, 15 February 2022 Recent Disney film, Encanto, has been met with huge success and Mhairi investigates its deeper meaning and Hispanic roots. Lovers of Hispanic culture and language, this one is for you… Encanto , which translates to ‘spell’ or ‘enchantment’, has captivated audiences, both young and old, since its release in November 2021. From the catchy songs written by Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda to the exotic Colombian landscape, Encanto is a refreshing break away from the stereotypical Disney narratives and a glimpse towards the future of Disney. Not only is this a new era for Disney but it is yet another celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture, which has been growing in the mainstream media over recent years with productions like Coco (2017) and In the Heights (2021). The film follows the incredible tale of ‘La Familia Madrigal’, a magical family in which each member has been given a special gift… well, everyone except Mirabel. Mirabel is the only family member who was not given a unique power at her gift ceremony, and we follow her as she desperately tries to fit in and impress her family. However, when Mirabel learns that the magic in her family and her home is dying, she sets out on a mission to save them. Without revealing any spoilers, the film concludes with the finale song ‘All of You’ in which Mirabel discovers that although she doesn’t have a tangible power, she has the power of love inside her. This is a story about finding the gift within yourself and accepting yourself as you are. Although this is a children’s film, there are several lessons to be taken away from this story including the power of believing in yourself and embracing your uniqueness. The film has been applauded greatly for representing the Latino community in such a beautiful manner, to which many communities can relate. This was highlighted with the viral online post captioned ‘Representation Matters’ of a two-year-old boy, who looks almost identical to one of the main characters. It is a well-known fact that there is power in growing up in a world where you can see your stories played out in front of you and this is exactly what Encanto achieves. Overall, this is a marvellous film with vibrant Colombian imagery, memorable songs and it’s a great opportunity to practice Spanish for those who are brave enough to watch it without subtitles! About the Author Mhairi is currently in her final year studying Spanish and Chinese. On her year abroad, Mhairi spent her time in Barcelona, Taiwan and Peru. She joined Lingo Mag as Deputy Editor 2022/23 to share her enthusiasm for languages, culture, and travel. "Learning a language is so much more than memorising verb patterns and grammar. Immersing yourself in films, books and music is where the magic happens." Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod Encanto: The Deeper Meaning Behind Disney's Award-winning Latino Film Mhairi MacLeod The International Booker Prize 2022 Revealed: The Award that Celebrates Authors and their Equally Gifted Translators Mhairi MacLeod 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: Film Disney Latinx Culture Representation Mhairi Macleod Categories: Culture 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! 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

Passing over Pesach Rachel Hoddes Friday, 26 April 2024 Rachel discusses the traditions and history of Pesach (Passover) and shares her personal experiences growing up celebrating this religious holiday. What is Pesach ? Pesach (pronounced p-AI-s-aa-kh), known as Passover in the UK, is one of the main Jewish festivals. It is determined by the luna calendar, so can fall anywhere between March and May, commemorating the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt, as well as miracles like the splitting of the Red sea. It takes place over eight days, starting with two seders ’, meaning ‘order’. Jewish families across the globe get together to read about the miracles of Pesach , punctuated with a large meal and prayers. Throughout the seder , children are encouraged to ask questions about the events of the story and the history of the Jewish people and we celebrate the past year all together. Ashkenazi vs Sephardi – What Does This Mean? The two main types of Judaism are Ashkenazi and Sephardi. Ashkenazim mainly originate from Central and Eastern European countries, for example France, Russia and Poland; whilst Sephardim tend to come from Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, as well as Spain and North Africa. The main thing that divides these two branches of Judaism over Pesach specifically are their dietary requirements. During this festival, Jewish people don’t eat anything containing wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt, however Ashkenazim also don’t eat beans, peas, rice, corn, soy, chickpeas or lentils. (Its basically my vegetarian nightmare!) The only form of wheat we eat at this time of year is a sort of cracker called matzah , which is prepared and baked in a specific way. This is because, the Jewish people didn’t have enough time to wait for their bread to rise when they left Egypt and took unleavened bread with them. We have come up with some weird and wacky ways to prepare food at Pesach , from making mina (lasagna made with soaked pieces of matzah ) to baking with almond flour (which really isn’t as nice as it sounds). Fun Traditions Pesach is full of fun traditions! It’s a genuine requirement to drink four cups of wine, or grape juice at a seder which always ends in a memorable evening. Here we highlight of a few fun Pesach traditions from Jewish people here at Nottingham! Plagued by Plagues Many families act out the 10 plagues to help the kids remember them. It’s our favourite part of the seder and we take it very seriously. We have a bag of plagues we take out each year complete with jumping frogs; fake blood and boil stickers; and my personal favourite, a bag of plastic cockroaches. These were banned in my family after I put one in my grandad’s soup and he almost ate it, so when I was 14, me and my cousins ordered another 50 more cockroaches and hid them round the house: to this day we are still finding them (and we got our stolen cockroaches back)! There’s a Leek! During ‘ Dayenu ’, a song which recites the miracles of the exodus of the Jewish people out of Egypt, many families hit each other with leeks. To this day, I don’t know why but we always end up having a sword fight with them across the table, often with one of my cousins singing a song from the prince of Egypt underneath. It gets very heated and the victor gets to have the first piece of matzah of the year! The Horseradish Challenge During the seder , we have to eat a bitter herb. Many families opt for horseradish due to its fiery taste and as a kid we used to compete to see who could eat the most without grimacing. Now if you’ve ever had the pleasure of eatinga whole, raw chunk of horseradish you will know that thing burns. But eight-year-old me decided that everyone at the table were wimps and that I could eat the whole thing… I got through two bites before my eyes were streaming so I grabbed the nearest water jug to down something to clear my throat. Little did I know it was the salt water to be used later in the meal with our eggs. Let's just say I didn’t drink water for a while after! Welcome to the Zoo By the end of the seder , everyone’s a little delirious. It can go long, as we can’t start until after sundown, and have long prayers and many cups of wine to get through. So by the final song, we are all more than done and ready to go to bed but, like all proper finales, we have to end on a high! We finish the night, as many families dowith an Aramaic-Hebrew song, ‘ Chad Gadya’ , which very much has ‘ There was an old lady who swallowed a fly ’ vibes with animals eating each other. We always do sound effects. This often ends in chaos with everyone mooing, barking and meowing at each other in fits of giggles: its honestly one of my favourite moments of the whole year! About the Author A Complete Overview of Sikh Wedding Functions Jasmine Johal Passing over Pesach Rachel Hoddes Image provided by Rachel Hoddes. 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: Passover Judaism Rachel Hoddes Religion customs Categories: Experience Culture 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

American Studies and English < Back Amaia Robertson Nogues Amaia is an American Studies and English student and spent her year abroad in Vermont, USA. In her free time she likes to read, draw and drink copious amounts of tea. Latest Articles by this Author Year Abroad Tales: Anonymous Stories 08/12/22

Hangeul: A Scientific Alphabet Aidan Cross Monday, 9 October 2023 Find out the history behind the creation of the Korean alphabet and why it is so incredible to celebrate Hangeul Day (9th October). Hangeul Day (9th October) in South Korea is a celebration of the Korean alphabet (한글), its creation by King Sejong the Great in 1443 CE and its proclamation in 1446 CE in The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People (훈민정음, Hunminjeongeum). The name Hangeul was coined in 1912 by Ju Sigyeong, a Korean linguist, with “han” (한) meaning “great”, as well as referring to Korea (한국), and “geul” (글) meaning “script”. The Korean language was originally written using the Chinese characters called Hanja (한자), but, due to the differences between the two languages and the number of characters that had to be learned, only the most educated could read or write. King Sejong, therefore, created Hangeul to improve literacy amongst his people. However, the Korean elite saw this as a threat to their status and continued to see Hanja as the only true way to write Korean, referring to Hangeul disparagingly as Eonmun (언문), or “vernacular/vulgar script”. It was also created as a way to allow the lower classes to express their grievances against those in power, and its use become a revolutionary act. So much so that, in 1504, King Yeonsangun banned the study of Hangeul after commoners wrote documents criticising him. Its use was even more revolutionary during Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945), as Japanese was made the official language in Korea, and the teaching of the Korean language was banned in schools in 1938. After Korea regained its independence in 1945, Hangeul became, and continues to be, a symbol of national pride and identity. Nowadays, South Korea is one of the most literate countries in the world, with a literacy rate of almost 98%. The reason that Hangeul is so easy to learn is that it is a logical and scientific alphabet. Hangeul is a featural writing system (a term that was introduced by linguist Geoffrey Sampson to describe the Korean alphabet), meaning that the design of the letters is not arbitrary. Rather, it conveys the phonological features of the phonemes (sounds) that they represent. The shape of the consonants is based on articulatory phonetics. This mean that the consonants reflect the vocal organs used to make the sounds that they correspond to, as follows: · ㄱ & ㄴ tongue · ㅁ mouth · ㅅ teeth · ㅇ throat Meanwhile, the shape of each vowel is based on the three basic elements in traditional East Asian philosophy, as below: · ㅣ Person · ㅇ Sky · ㅡ Earth In Hangeul, there are 24 basic letters made up of 14 consonants (ㄱ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ) and 10 vowels (ㅏ, ㅑ, ㅓ, ㅕ, ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅠ, ㅡ, ㅣ), as well as 5 double (or tense) consonants (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ) and 11 complex vowels (ㅐ, ㅒ, ㅔ, ㅖ, ㅘ, ㅙ, ㅚ, ㅝ, ㅞ, ㅟ, ㅢ), which are formed by combining the basic letters. Now that you understand the history behind Hangeul and the importance of its creation, why not learn this incredible alphabet? 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 Portuguese loanwords in Japanese Aidan Cross What makes a language “easy” to learn? Aidan Cross 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 Language Korean Hangeul Alphabet Categories: Language and Linguistics Global Culture 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

Recipe of the Week: Chicken Curry Emily Dawson Thursday, 10 November 2022 Recipe of the week with @ems.homecooking will teach you a new dish from around the world. This week's dish is chicken curry, a traditionally Indian recipe that can be made student friendly. Serves: 4 Difficulty: 2/5 Time: 40 minutes Origin: India Originally a dish cooked for celebrations within family homes, chicken curry is now a well-known dish across the world. This simple version can be combined with different vegetables to lift the dish even further. Usually served with traditional breads, such as rotis or chapatis or with rice, this meal can be enjoyed at any time of day. Ingredients 1 medium onion 3 cloves of garlic 3 chicken breasts, cut into about 1-inch cubes 1 tin of coconut milk 1 tin of chopped tomatoes 1 jar of chickpeas (optional) 1 aubergine (optional) 2 tsp garam masala 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp ginger Chopped coriander Salt and pepper Method On a medium heat, cook all the chicken until brown. Add in the aubergine and cook until soft. Chop the onion and crush the garlic and slowly soften on a medium heat. Once softened, add in all the spices and mix to form a paste with the onions and garlic. Cook for a few minutes. Add in the tin of chopped tomatoes and the coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper and add in the coriander. If you’re not adding any vegetables, leave this to simmer on a lower-medium heat for about 20 minutes. Stirring every so often. If you are adding in vegetables, add them now. I added in the chickpeas at this point and left it to simmer on a low-medium heat for about 20 minutes. Stirring every so often. Serve and enjoy! For more savoury and tasty treat recipes, follow @ems.homecooking on Instagram. 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. 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 Cooking Cuisine World Food Curry 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! 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

Recipe of the Week: Vegan Pasta Bake Emily Dawson Thursday, 17 November 2022 Recipe of the week with @ems.homecooking will teach you a new dish from around the world. This week's dish is a vegan pasta bake – an easy and student friendly dish that can be enjoyed by all. Serves: 2 Difficulty 2/5 Time: 30 minutes Who doesn’t love a hearty pasta bake after a long winter’s day? With a crispy cheese top layer, the crunch from the broccoli and the meatiness of the “sausages”, this dish is a perfect mouth-watering meal. While this dish is simple, it is full of flavour and hearty goodness. The special part of this recipe is that the ingredients used don’t have to be the same each time, it is very easy to throw in a bit of everything out of the kitchen cupboard (within reason of course…!) Ingredients 1 medium onion 3/4 stems of broccoli 1 pepper 2 cloves of garlic Half a jar of tomato passata 1 tbsp of tomato puree 2 tsp of harissa paste (optional) 2 portions of pasta (I used penne, but any pasta shape will work) 3 vegetarian/vegan sausages Cheese to top (optional) Salt and pepper 2 tsp paprika Chilli flakes (optional) Olive oil Method Heat oven to the temperature the sausages require to cook. Place sausages in the oven. While the sausages are cooking, in a pan on a medium heat sweat off the onions and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add in the paprika and cook off for a couple of minutes, stirring to combine with the onions and garlic. Chop the peppers into pieces and add them into the pan with the onions and garlic. Again, cook until they’re soft. Meanwhile, boil a pan of water with a sprinkle of salt ready to cook the pasta and broccoli. When the water is boiled, add in the pasta and cook for the required time (usually about 10 minutes if using dried pasta). A few minutes before the pasta is ready, add the broccoli to the pan of tomatoes and cook. In the pan with the onions, garlic and peppers, add in half a jar of passata, tomato paste and the harissa. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Then, add in the cooked broccoli, pasta and sausages, chopped into pieces. Place the mixture into an oven proof dish, cover the top with grated cheese and put it under the grill or in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted and starts to crisp. Dig in! For more savoury and tasty treats recipes, follow @ems.homecooking on Instagram. 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. 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 Pasta Vegan 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! 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