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German and English Studies < Back Kathrin Loithaler I fell in love with language and reading early on in my life, and this passion has carried on during my language studies at university. Besides reading and writing poetry, I also love doing sports, especially ballet, yoga and figure skating. I also really enjoy travelling and exploring new countries... my dream destination is Antarctica. I am really grateful to have the opportunity to explore journalistic writing with Lingo Mag, as it covers all the things I'm interested in! Latest Articles by this Author The Art of Fictional Languages: Deconstructing Dothraki and Klingon 16/12/24 Impoliteness in Online Gaming: A Linguistic Analysis 04/11/24

International Media and Communications < Back Michelle Yap Coming from Singapore, Michelle is a first-year International Media and Communications student with a keen interest in post-colonial cultures and internet phenomena. She sees Lingo Magazine as an opportunity to explore her passion for culture while honing her writing skills. Beyond her studies and involvement with Lingo Magazine, Michelle enjoys travelling, reading, and listening to shoegaze music. Latest Articles by this Author From Tibet to Malaysia: Exploring Lunar New Year Celebrations Across Asia 19/02/25

French and Spanish < Back Niamh Woodhouse Niamh was the founder of Lingo Magazine, was Editor-in-Chief for 2022/23, and is now a Lingo alumni. Speaking French and Spanish, she has a particular interest in articles about history, culture and travel! Whilst studying in Cadiz, Niamh met other language students from universities across the UK and soon discovered that many of them write for language magazines at their universities. Seeing this gap in the market for a language magazine, she set up the magazine alongside an amazing committee for her fellow and future language students at the University of Nottingham! Latest Articles by this Author Recipe of the week: Valentine's Focaccia 09/02/23 European Music Festivals to Attend This Summer 15/02/22 Culture Spotlight: Hispanic Society 25/10/22 A l’isoloir: what you need to know about the French Elections 06/04/22 I Went to a Naked Orchestra: A Review of Carta by Monica Calle 25/03/22

Philosophy < Back Francesca Beaumont 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! Latest Articles by this Author Film in Flux: Conflating Creativity and Artificial Intelligence at Gothenburg Film Festival 25/10/23 Fashion Saturation: ‘Stockholm Style’ and the resurgence of Scandi-Minimalism 03/03/23 Foreign Film in the Face of Western Commercialism 06/12/22

YEAR ABROAD TALES: When the student becomes the teacher Emily Cormack Friday, 18 March 2022 For our first article for the 'Year Abroad Tales' feature, Emily uses her experience as a teaching assistant during her year abroad to explore the importance of learning English in France As a linguist, I have always felt like I am fighting language learning’s corner in a constant battle to prove speaking other languages is a valuable asset. However, I have well and truly flipped the script. For the past four months, I have been working in a sleepy commuter town just outside of Paris as an English language assistant in a primary school. From the offset, the school's view on language learning and the importance that it takes in the day-to-day lives of the children was astonishing to me. Of course, this means starting to learn English at a young age. In the school where I work, children aged two can already name all the colours of the rainbow in both English and French. Hiring anglophone au pairs for children before they can speak, sending them to bilingual schools, paying for private English lessons outside of school hours are all lengths parents will go to to ensure that their precious Jeanne or Pierre has the linguistic foundations to achieve. Some children, unsurprisingly, take more naturally to learning English than others. Even if it seems that being a linguist isn't their ‘thing’ or they are struggling somewhat academically, there is still an expectation to study English multiple times per week. At a recent parent’s evening, I felt this immense pressure from parents who expected their 10 year-olds to be practically bilingual despite neither parent speaking English fluently. In fact, in lessons students said their favourite English words are “sheet” and “beach.” The parental pressure perhaps comes from the fact that the use of English as the international language has skyrocketed in the past decade or so. Knowing a foreign language is a useful skill to be equipped with in order to reach professional success in many sectors. Monolinguals, perhaps, underestimate the difficulty and the factors connected with language learning. Multilingualism has been proven to make one more flexible and tolerant through gaining an understanding of the interrelation between language, culture, and human nature. My experience of being in Paris has shown me how children here are growing up in a state of forced immersion. (I must add that the children I taught specifically come from mostly privileged backgrounds, who therefore have access to specialized language schools). What I mean by forced immersion is that in a metropolitan city like Paris, English has been adopted into everyday life, whether that be in hip English-speaking cafés, shops names and signs, popular games or TV shows. Of course, the prevalence of English drops as you move outside of the capital. However, with roughly 60% of Parisians already speaking English proficiently and with evidence indicating that young people speak better English than their parents, it seems likely that the number of English speakers will continue to increase exponentially and become more widespread. The headteacher of the school is particularly passionate about language learning, and at every opportunity will speak to her students in slightly broken English. She's often met with a dumbfounded response, however; this does not stop her. From the beginning of the year, she made it clear how important our work as English language assistants would be for the students’ futures. From what I’ve understood, overhearing snippets of conversations in the staffroom, many of the teachers don’t share this view. For them, having a ‘bilingual’ education does not adhere to the values of ‘traditional French education’. There’s a concern that by taking so much time in the school day to focus on English, it detracts from mastering the basics of learning to read, write, and count. From my year abroad experience, this prioritization of language learning, and the students knowing even some English, unlocks so much potential for them. Whether it be accessing culture and knowledge on an international level, including music and art, or science and sport, and not to mention the importance later in their lives for business or travel. About the Author Emily is really excited to see the collaboration of language students across UoN through Lingo. She is particularly interested in French culture and history and halfway through her year abroad in Paris! Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod 24 Hours as an English Student in Paris: A Survival Guide Kit Sinclair YEAR ABROAD TALES: Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder? Francesca Wren Images provided by Emily Cormack. 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: France Living Abroad Paris Working Abroad Emily Cormack Categories: Travel Year Abroad Tales Feature 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

Violeta by Isabel Allende: One Hundred Years on the South American Continent Mhairi MacLeod Friday, 29 April 2022 Author of La casa de los espíritus, Isabel Allende, has recently released her new novel, Violeta, spanning South American history from the Spanish flu to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mhairi, gives us the lowdown on the novel and the value of reading the work in Spanish. For those who study Spanish or have an interest in the Spanish language, the author Isabel Allende will be a very familiar name. The phenomenal Chilean author has sold millions of books around the world that have been translated into at least 33 languages. Since its publication at the start of the year, Allende’s latest novel Violeta has been met with great success. A spellbinding story that follows one woman during her one hundred years on earth. From the beginnings of the Spanish flu in 1920s South America right up until the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the novel is a testimony to the unbreakable family bond through disaster, political upheaval, economic hardship, and violence. So what is this story all about? Violeta is born one stormy day in 1920s South America, just as the Spanish flu has started to infiltrate the continent. The youngest girl in a family of five sons, she is born into an affluent family however this fortune does not last as the effects of the Great Depression eventually come to haunt them. The family loses everything they own, including the grand mansion in which they live, so they are forced to reside in the rural countryside, a stark difference from their previous life. This is where the young Violeta grows into a woman who will face the world and throughout the book, we follow her on this reminiscent and reflective journey. The novel is written in the form of a letter to Camilo, a person who we later discover has great significance in Violeta’s life, and it is set against the backdrop of historical and political events in South America. Without giving too much away, this is certainly an eventful read with multiple references to socialist movements, dictatorships, political exile, and democracy. Whilst this sounds very heavy and serious, the novel is also peppered with saucy romantic endeavours, exciting and funny extracts from Violeta and her bold tone is a constant throughout. It must be said that this novel does not come close to Allende’s most successful and award-winning La casa de los espíritus (The House of the Sprits), nevertheless Violeta is still an epic family saga that spans multiple generations in true Allende style. You’ll find strong, passionate women at the forefront of Allende’s stories and this is especially the case in Violeta , a story about women who stand up for their rights and fight for their voices to be heard throughout their lifetime. For Spanish language enthusiasts and learners, there is so much to be learnt from Allende’s novels. Whether that be from tackling her stories in Spanish whilst accompanied by perseverance and a good Spanish dictionary or for the curious who wish to learn more about South American history and politics. Isabel Allende’s novels are a truly enriching experience that will project your language and cultural knowledge leaps and bounds ahead. Note: Please look up the trigger warnings before reading this book. 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 Translation and the Untranslatable Aidan Cross Encanto: The Deeper Meaning Behind Disney's Award-winning Latino Film 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: Mhairi Macleod Language Learning Spanish Literature Culture Books Categories: Culture Review 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! 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

A Beginner’s Guide to K-Dramas Isabelle Monteiro Thursday, 16 October 2025 The global appeal of South Korea’s addictive TV Exports and where to start watching. Over the last two decades in the West, the popularity of South Korean entertainment and media has surged. This phenomenon, dubbed “The Hallyu Wave”, refers to the rise of global interest in South Korean popular culture, led primarily by the spread of K-pop, K-dramas, and films. Recognised as a form of soft power, this has been an important economic asset for the East Asian country, generating revenue through both exports and tourism. Despite having a population of just 52 million, South Korea produces a significant number of both scripted and unscripted television. As a result, K-dramas have prioritised storytelling over cinematography to keep viewers engaged. This approach gave rise to the popularity of soapy melodramas, known as makjang , which many now associate with Korean television. However, the expansion of streaming platforms with subtitles, coupled with a growing demand for high-quality local content that rivals the crème de la crème of international TV, have transformed the industry, with cable networks and global platforms such as Netflix now investing in creative productions that elevate both form and narrative. These shows are often single seasons, having 16 to 24 episodes, which typically run for 60 minutes, with occasional finales lasting nearly 90 minutes. Plus, they air on consecutive days, meaning that viewers get up to two-and-a-half hours of new content each week. But why, exactly, are K-dramas so popular? Their success can be attributed to high-quality production and storytelling that spans a wide range of themes and genres, from romance and historical epics, to thrillers and slice-of-life dramas. These shows tell thoughtful, character-driven stories that explore topics people genuinely care about, often delivering messages that resonate with global audiences, even when rooted in cultural and social contexts unique to South Korea. But it is particularly the romance-based series that have gained international traction by catering to the ‘female gaze’, offering emotional depth and nuance often overlooked in Hollywood, where the ‘male gaze’ tends to dominate. K-dramas also stand out for their attention to aesthetic detail, creating a visually pleasing and immersive experience that sets them apart from many mainstream Western productions. Given their unique appeal and growing global fanbase, it’s no surprise that more people are wanting to dive in. So, here are a few K-dramas that make the perfect starting point for newcomers: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017) Premise : Ranked as the seventh highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history, Goblin follows the cursed immortal Kim Shin on his quest to find a human bride who can remove the sword from his chest and end his life. Along the way, he meets a grim reaper and Ji Eun-Tak, a sprightly school student. Episodes : 16 Crash Landing on You (2019) Premise : This sweeping romance follows successful businesswoman and chaebol heiress Yoon Se-Ri, who crash-lands in North Korea during a paragliding accident. There, she meets Captain Ri Jeong-Hyuk of the Korean People’s Army and persuades him to help hide her and return her safely to the South of the country. Episodes : 16 My Liberation Notes (2022) Premise : For a quieter, introspective watch, My Liberation Notes centres on three siblings and a mysterious stranger, exploring themes of fulfilment, loneliness, and personal growth amid the monotony of adulthood and working life. Episodes : 16 The Glory (2022) Premise : (Partially) based on true events, The Glory is a psychological revenge thriller centred on Moon Dong-Eun, who was a victim of school violence as a child. Years later, she seeks retribution by becoming the homeroom teacher of her bully’s child. Episodes : 16 Marry My Husband (2024) Premise : When Kang Ji-Won is diagnosed with terminal cancer, her world shatters further when she discovers her husband is having an affair with her best friend. After he kills her in a confrontation, she wakes up ten years prior and vows to change her fate. Episodes : 16 Business Proposal (2022) Premise : In this lighthearted romantic comedy, Shin Ha-Ri disguises herself to sabotage a blind date on behalf of her friend. However, plans go awry when her date turns out to be her CEO and, worse still, proposes to marry her. Episodes : 12 Hospital Playlist (2020-2021) Premise : Hospital Playlist tells the story of five doctors who have been close friends since medical school. Now colleagues at Yulje Medical Centre, they balance life, death, and friendship, bonding through music and the everyday realities of hospital life. Episodes : 24 Taxi Driver (2021-2023) Premise : Former Special Forces officer Kim Do-Gi is devastated by his mother’s murder after she is killed by a serial killer. He joins Rainbow Taxi, a secret organisation that delivers revenge for victims failed by the legal system. Episodes : 32 (2 seasons) The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016) Premise : This romantic fantasy stars Lee Min-Ho as a charming con artist and Jun Ji-Hyun as a mermaid named Shim Cheong. Their love story spans both modern-day Seoul and the Joseon era, exploring themes of fate, reincarnation, and unfulfilled love. Episodes : 20 About the Author Hailing from Malaysia, Isabelle is a final year English student with a passion for food and the arts. She views Lingo as an opportunity to explore her interests in culture and travel, as well as to develop her writing skills. Valentine’s Day Traditions Around the World Vicki Mileson Violeta by Isabel Allende: One Hundred Years on the South American Continent Mhairi MacLeod The Rise of Foreign Language TV Holly Cromwell Image courtesy of Ravi Sharma 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: Culture Korean Foreign TV Around the World Drama Isabelle Monteiro 1943 Categories: Cultural Guide Culture Global Culture What's On Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! 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

Surviving Language Student Life: Scheduling Jess Henrys Tuesday, 29 March 2022 Studying for a language degree is no mean feat, with what can seem like endless grammar tasks, vocab lists and verb tables. For this edition of Welfare Wednesday, one of our Welfare Secs, Jess Henrys shares her top tips for scheduling to help you stay on top of your language learning. The life of a language student is harder than it looks. Although learning another language leads to the joy of cultural exploration and creative expression in more than just your native tongue, the road to proficiency seems to be full of obstacles, and more often than not, just pure hard work. I’ve certainly found that learning a language is less like a straightforward road, and more like a mountain. Whether it’s a grammar point you can’t seem to make sense of, an impossibly long list of irregular verbs to learn, or a fear of actually speaking in the language, preparing for those treacherous paths can be disheartening. In fact, with exams and essay deadlines around the corner, it can feel outright impossible. And there is no quick fix for that: language learning takes hard work. But it also takes rest. If you’re climbing that language mountain, remember that your brain may not be a muscle, but it needs time to rest too. So, how do you do that? How do you ensure that you are reaching your language goals and giving yourself space to breathe? How do you balance that new Netflix show you’re just dying to binge with an impending essay deadline for that French book you still haven’t read? How do you make a dent in your Spanish vocabulary lists without being a stranger to your friends? The answer may be obvious, and yet it’s something you and I so often overlook. It’s scheduling. Perhaps you have tried scheduling before, and it didn’t work for you. You couldn’t stick to it, or it felt too restrictive, or it takes too much time to create that you would rather spend actually working. These are all the problems I faced before. Struggling with workload-related anxieties, drowning in deadlines, I didn’t believe what my therapist said: that creating a schedule could make even one iota of difference. But it did. And maybe, if you’re anything like me, it’s worth a shot for you too. So, where do you begin? 1. Choose the form of your schedule Would you prefer a physical schedule on paper, that you can see and touch with your own hands? Try creating one with your classes and tasks on post-it notes so you can easily visualise and even rearrange your tasks from week to week, staying flexible for those Thursday afternoon coffee dates, or that one Saturday morning shift you can’t get out of. If you would prefer a digital schedule to access wherever you go, why not try Google’s hourly schedule template? Or for something looser and more flexible, try our own general schedule with morning, afternoon, and evening blocks. 2. Schedule your fixed tasks The first things to schedule in are any regular, fixed obligations. This means blocking out your regular classes, work shifts, fitness classes, or any other recurring task that you would consider of highest importance. 3. Schedule your rest times Your rest is just as important as your classes! Schedule in something fun or relaxing every day, maybe even highlight it in your schedule in a different colour to remind you that you have something to look forward to. This could be: Lunch with a friend A walk in the fresh air An episode of your favourite tv show A phone call with a loved one Going out in the evening Or anything else you can think of. 4. Schedule homework time In your language degree, there may be homework you have regularly every week, such as preparation for a seminar, reading for a lecture, or grammar exercises for your language classes. My top tip is to choose a day when you will do a particular homework task every week. It will never take you by surprise, never be forgotten, and you won’t have the “night-before” stress of trying to get it all done at once. Schedule these tasks around your rest time, not the other way around. You don’t have to earn your rest. You rest and recharge in order to have the energy to do these tasks. 5. Schedule independent language tasks Finally, write down those tasks you feel you never have time for – vocab, grammar points, independent reading or listening. Even watching TV in your target language can be a great way to subtly improve your language independently of your classes and assigned work. 6. Try to stick to it (but be kind to yourself!) The only way to make this schedule work is to do your best to stick to it. But be kind to yourself. If you need to rearrange a task to make way for new obligations or extra rest time or if you’re just having a bad day and need a change, do it. Your schedule should help you, not hinder you, on your learning journey. And if this doesn’t work for you, don’t panic! We are all different, and we learn differently, and it’s simply about finding methods of learning that resonate with you! If you would like to discuss any concerns with our welfare team, please do not hesitate to get in touch at lingomagwelfareteam@gmail.com so we can signpost you to some of Nottingham’s many, helpful support services. And remember, it’s a long way to the top of this language-learning mountain, but the view is spectacular! About the Author During her year abroad, Jess spent a semester in St Petersburg, Russia. According to Jess, when she first arrived, she barely knew a word in Russian and felt completely overwhelmed, but the city soon revealed its delights to her, and it became a home. She hopes that by sharing some of my Russian experiences, other travellers to the city can be comforted, and learn to love it as much as she did. Jess also jetted off to the French capital so she certainly had an incredible year abroad! Jess also has experience of being a Peer Mentor and is very knowledgeable about the university’s Support Services. She’s got a lot of enthusiasm to bring to this role! Jess was one third of our 2022/23 Welfare Team. 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 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: Language Learning Jess Henrys Mental Health Scheduling Time Management Categories: Welfare Language and Linguistics Language Tips 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

Culture Spotlight: Capoeira Society Aidan Cross Friday, 5 April 2024 We sat down with Billy Nayani and Qaa’sim Uhuru, Capoeira Society’s President and Instructor, to find out more about one of the University of Nottingham’s newest societies and the incredible art of capoeira. Our newest print edition was inspired by the theme of rejuvenation and fostering community; on that theme, we’re revitalising our Culture Spotlight series! We sat down with Billy Nayani and Qaa’sim Uhuru, Capoeira Society’s President and Instructor, to find out more about one of the University of Nottingham’s newest societies and the incredible art of capoeira. What is the history and culture of capoeira? Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art with strong African roots that originated in Angola. Modern capoeira comes from north-eastern Brazil, particularly Bahia, due to the region’s involvement in the slave trade and over three hundred years of slavery. Capoeira developed amongst enslaved West African peoples and their descendants in Brazil as a way of maintaining their culture and traditions. In 2014, it was designated an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Describe capoeira for someone that has little to no knowledge of it Capoeira is a fusion of martial arts, acrobatics, dance, and music. It is typically performed in a roda – the circle in which the game is played. Everyone participates within the roda ,, whether as one of the two contestants, as a musician playing an instrument such as the pandeiro , a hand frame drum, or berimbau , a musical bow, to set the rhythm, or as a spectator, singing and clapping. There are three styles of capoeira: capoeira Angola – the traditional style; capoeira regional; and capoeira contemporânea. Traditional capoeira Angola leans more heavily into the playful game of capoeira (the dance and the music) whereas capoeira regional, which was founded in the 1930s by Mestre Bimba*, is more acrobatic and more of your typical martial art. The modern capoeira contemporânea is a combination of the two styles. *Mestre – a keen linguist might notice the similarity to Maestro or Master, a Mestre is a master practitioner of capoeira and Mestre Bimba, as you might guess, is a legend of the art. What do you enjoy most about capoeira? Qaa’sim: Capoeira maintains a strong link to African culture and is an active, holistic way to engage with and learn about Brazilian culture and history. Billy: The happiness of capoeira and the positive energy within the sessions. No matter how bad your day has been, capoeira is a way to bring positive energy back into the day. How can students get involved with capoeira? Capoeira Society run weekly one-hour sessions on Thursdays from 5-6pm in Monica Partridge, in room B02, which are taught by Qaa’sim. Aimed at beginners, the sessions don’t teach any specific style of capoeira. Instead they are focused on the music, movements and flow of capoeira, such as the ginga – the fundamental movement in capoeira, the sway, performed by placing both feet shoulder-width apart and moving one foot back and forth – as well as kicks, escapes, and sequences. Make sure to follow Capoeira Society on Instagram to find out more about the society and the art of capoeira and to keep up to date with their sessions! 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! Culture Spotlight: Capoeira Society 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: culture spotlight capoeira brazil Aidan Cross interview Categories: Cultural Spotlight 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

Foreign Film in the Face of Western Commercialism Francesca Beaumont Tuesday, 6 December 2022 Francesca gives a short exploration into the logistics of English-speaking Filmmaking in comparison to Foreign films In a society that prioritises constant media consumption above all else, the cultural significance of foreign cinema is more important than ever. A certain commercial element plagues the English-speaking films we consume so offhandedly. This is because for a film to be popular enough to be hosted by cinemas it must follow what is known as the four-quadrant system of film production. That is, for a film to be deemed ‘worthy’ of having companies' money funnelled into it, it must appeal to at least two of the four quadrants: Males under 25’s, Females under 25’s, Males over 25, Females over 25. This fiscal phenomenon is at the epicentre of contemporary western films and acts as a major block in creating something with real artist autonomy and integrity. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the leading example of this loveless disregard of the creative. Clark for Business Insider noted that “In total the MCU has earned more than 25 billion dollars worldwide, making it the biggest movie franchise.” Films amassing this level of wealth are never curated by the creative with experimental liberty, but rather via large corporations churning out the same formulaic, hero beats bad guy narrative that appeals to all four major quadrants. This specifically western need to constantly align the narrative to the most stable path of revenue is also apparent within the western casting process. From nepotism babies to influencers, our film industry commonly casts actors, not on merit or talent, but rather on which celebrities can generate the highest revenue. A topical example of this is Harry Styles, who monopolised on his musical fame to push himself into the film industry. In Geoffrey Macnab’s review for The Independent of Don’t Worry Darling (2022. dir. Olivia Wilde) he claims that “Styles gives a surprisingly dull and low-wattage performance.” That is “Nowhere near as captivating as the tabloid frenzy surrounding it.” The fiscal incentive is not completely alien to foreign film franchises, but it is a recognised truth that other film industries operate on a less capitalist ethic. It can be argued that foreign films have the space for more profound plots to be explored. Take, for example, Drive My Car (dir. Ryusuke Hamaguchi. 2021) and Decision to Leave (dir. Park Chan-Wook. 2022), both contemporary foreign films that rail against our formulaic plot and thus treat their audiences as people capable of dissecting intricacies that many of our films do not allow us to explore. Time and time again foreign films are overshadowed by the release of something less authentic, but English. In Bong Joon-Ho’s (Dir. ‘Parasite’ 2019) Oscar Speech he claimed that “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” By actively engaging with films outside the scope of western cinema you expose yourself to a wider range of perspectives, plots, and personalities. This is not to say that there is no enjoyability factor within our films, but more to suggest that a wider scope of artistic expression is stifled and not achieved under our current commercial system of filmmaking, and we should consider foreign films as something just as worthy of consumption. 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! Encanto: The Deeper Meaning Behind Disney's Award-winning Latino Film Mhairi MacLeod An evening of 'Santi' Emily Brown Foreign Film in the Face of Western Commercialism Francesca Beaumont 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: Francesca Beaumont Film Hollywood Foreign Film Cinema 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! LOAD MORE

The Zone of Interest (2023) - the new film from director Jonathan Glazer Sarah Taylor Wednesday, 22 May 2024 Film review of director Jonathan Glazer's 2023 film; 'The Zone of Interest' CW: mentions of the Holocaust and concentration camps The film centres around one family, and particularly their family home. For most of us the family home is a place of sanctuary. This is also true in this case but it is the complete acceptance that the location of the family home is within yards of Auschwitz the concentration camp, and all of its horrors, many of which can be heard throughout the film, acting as a reminder that certain people were in complete denial to the pain inflicted upon others. It portrays detachment and how dangerous that can be. The dialogue and particular scenes relay the ease planning to kill large groups of people in such a matter-of-fact way, and with the agreement that the process is very effective and beneficial to the German people. The film is full of scenes of idyllic family activities and the sheer delight the family take in playing in the garden with no acknowledgement or care of what is taking place just a few yards away from them. Against the backdrop of this idyllic family life shows the desperation and harsh living conditions of the camp. The film uses a negative exposure of a girl planting apples to convey the danger attached to it, the risk of eating one of them, and the desperation of trying to help where help is so needed. The film’s eerie soundtrack reminds me of Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, in the sense that it conveys the true horror of what life now had become; dark, terrifying sounds like a roaming Pterodactyl taking over, projecting violent intentions with only one outcome. As in Kubrick’s film, this music plays during scenes of foreboding horror as a kind of warning of what is about to happen. The juxtaposition is the most fascinating part of the film, life and death set side by side, joy over sadness and happiness against misery. This is intensified by the mise-en-scene: the colours of the flowers, green grass and fertile sole against the backdrop of grey high walls; unfeeling, sterile, cold, and still, where everything struggles to live or breath. The representation of dogs is another contrast, for the German family their dog is a loving pet but to the prisoners in the camp they are to be feared, an imminent threat and a source of potential pain. The film highlights how objects, animals, food, and shelter can have two different meanings depending on what situation you find yourself in. The necessities of life are all very present in the house and garden – food is prepared and eaten, and water is easily used in summertime activities, something that is all too absent over the wall and all too keenly felt with disastrous consequences. The haves and have-nots are essentially what this film portrays. The fact that the essential necessities were taken away from people and these people were completely dehumanised. The film conveys the dangers of this – when compassion and empathy are missing and what that can lead to. About the Author Sarah is a staff member here at the University working as a Senior Research Administrator for the Faculty of Engineering. She loves writing and culture, and thought that Lingo Mag would be a fantastic opportunity to combine both passions. She also loves photography, books, history and walking. 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 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: film holocaust 1943 review 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! 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

Salamanca – home of the world's purest Spanish Samah Irshad Tuesday, 4 April 2023 Samah explores her exciting experience visiting Salamanca whilst studying Spanish at school and delves into why the region is well known for it's 'pure language'. Salamanca is a quaint city situated in the west of Spain. The region has deep cultural and historical roots which have influenced the city, as well as the Spanish language. The city was founded by the Celts in the 4th century. Later in the 8th century, it was invaded by the Moors, resulting in a change from its Christian culture to Muslim culture. There are many words which are derived from Arabic, which demonstrate the influence of Arabic culture. My personal favourite is the word ‘ojalá!’ It comes from ‘Oh Allah’, and it means ‘I wish’. In the 13th century, the Christian conquest took place during which Alfonso VI took control of Salamanca and established Catholic dominance. During this time, the University of Salamanca was founded and today is known as one of the oldest universities in the world and the first in the whole of Spain. During my time studying Spanish, I had the amazing opportunity of visiting Salamanca with my peers and staying with a host family. I was fully equipped with my GCSE Spanish knowledge to talk about all my hobbies and favourite foods! I engaged with the locals, giving me a unique opportunity to speak Spanish as the locals do. Most importantly, I grasped a deeper understanding of the culture, vibrancy, and soul of the city. One of the key things that locals would always mention with pride is that Salamanca is the best place in Spain to learn Spanish given it is the ‘purest’. What makes Salamanca linguistically different and unique is that locals do not have a regional accent, making it the easiest to understand for learners of Spanish. There are a variety of different languages that are spoken in Spain, not just Castellano (Castilian Spanish). Other languages include Gallego, Catalan, Euskera, Vasco and Valenciano. Each is specific to a different region within the country and has its own phonetic sounds and origins. For example, Catalan is known to originate from the Pyrenees Mountain area between Spain and France, and therefore contains many linguistic and vocabularic similarities to French although it is spoken in northern Spain. Throughout my time in Salamanca, I practised Spanish with my peers as well as the host family we were staying with. We also received language lessons at a centre to understand Spanish grammar further. Having the opportunity to explore this city is one of the best experiences I have had as there were so many fun activities to do during my stay. One of which was a scavenger hunt, where we had to find and complete unusual tasks. Tasks included going to different bakeries and finding out what the city’s famous dessert is, taking a picture with a local who looks ‘cool’ and getting a group of people to sing a Spanish song with us! As well as being fun this activity really encouraged us to engage in lots of conversation and bring us out of the comfort of the classroom and speak Spanish in the real world. On our journey to improve our Spanish speaking skills, we saw the impressive Salamancan architecture and discovered traditional food which completed our experience. I would encourage anyone who is learning Spanish to visit Salamanca and immerse themselves in the culture and language. About the Author Samah is a first year medic, who studied Spanish at A-level and absolutely loved it!! She decided to join Lingo because she wanted to continue with her language journey and learn more about other cultural interests! :)) Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod 48 Hours in Seville: Spain's Sunny City Niamh Woodhouse Barcelona’s must-visit Cocktail Bars Rosie Loyd Images provided by Samah Irshad. 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: Samah Irshad Spain Language Salamanca History Categories: Travel City Guide Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! 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