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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

The Problem with Pronouns Niamh Woodhouse Tuesday, 15 February 2022 Niamh delves into the issue of neutral pronouns in gendered language and how different language speakers tackle the problem. As our global society more widely accepts the broad spectrum of gender and sexual identities, an issue arises for both language learners and native speakers alike: how to adapt their language to welcome this. Some languages already have gender-neutral nouns, or simply don’t assign gender within their grammar rules. However, others have grammar systems traditionally based on gender. These languages have several approaches to tackle the issue of how to address queer, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming people. Using existing pronouns To start exploring this topic, I first looked at my native language – English. The grammar we use doesn’t distinguish between genders except when using a masculine or feminine singular pronoun. Therefore, the pronoun ‘they’ has emerged to describe anyone who doesn’t come under ‘she’ or ‘he’. This move has been accepted by both everyday speakers as well as English language institutions, such as the Merriam-Webster dictionary , which added ‘they’ as the pronoun for a ‘single person whose gender identity is nonbinary’. However, this has met some criticism with claims that using the pronoun for both singular and plural uses can confuse and disrupt the meaning of the sentence. Another language that uses a pronoun already in use is Russian. However, unlike English, Russian grammar is heavily gendered. To get around this, Russian speakers have a few different approaches to pronouns. First is that some choose to take the masculine ‘он’ as it goes along with other terms that are more neutral. Some within the feminist community use the female option (‘она’) as the default gender. Other options include switching between both female and male pronouns and using the neutral ‘оно’, which is not usually used to refer to people. Changing case endings Another way languages are resolving the question around gender is by changing word endings. For example, some speakers of Spanish, a language where traditionally all nouns have a masculine or feminine gender, have adapted their vocabulary to become more neutral. However, as Spanish is a global language with many dialects and communities, there are many variations on how this is accomplished and no set standard for a gender-neutral ending. For hispanophones in the US, replacing the ‘o’ or ‘a’ ending with an ‘x’ is becoming a popular choice – such as in the term ‘Latinx’. Whereas in Peninsular Spanish, the symbol ‘@’ is commonly used as a substitute. Despite their attempts, both these solutions address more written language rather than spoken. One answer could stem from a group of Argentinian teenagers , who in 2017 started to replace endings with ‘e’ with the aim of eliminating gender from the Spanish language. Using both gender cases Hebrew, like Spanish, assigns a gender to verbs, nouns, and adjectives based on the noun. This has led LGBTQ and feminist groups to seek ways of expressing their language in a gender-neutral way. One solution is by using a ‘mixed’ gender and referring to the same person with both feminine and masculine endings. In Israel, a similar approach is to put both the male and female cases on nouns and verbs, sometimes with a full stop in between, so that all are fluidly included. For example, “I write” — “kotev” (כותב) in the masculine and “kotevet” (כותבת) in the feminine — alternatively could be written as כותב.ת in this form. The Nonbinary Hebrew Project draws on references in Jewish texts in order to argue that the male Rabbis writing the Mishna, a third-century book of Jewish commentary, recognized several gender categories, so modern-day Hebrew speakers can too. Inventing new pronouns Some languages invent completely new pronouns for a neutral gender – you may have heard of ‘zie’ used in English. Swedish has also followed this tactic: in 2015, they added the word ‘hen’ to its official dictionary . ‘Hen’ arose from linguists who suggested the term as an alternative to the male ‘han’ and female ‘hon’. The pronoun has been adopted by LGBTQ groups as well as in early years education, where it is argued that the pronoun allows children to grow up without feeling the impact of gender biases. About the Author 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! Translation and the Untranslatable Aidan Cross The Problem with Pronouns Niamh Woodhouse 5 podcasts to help you improve your French Niamh Woodhouse 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: Niamh Woodhouse Current Affairs Russian Spanish Hebrew Swedish Categories: Language and Linguistics Language Study Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

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

Ancient History < Back Robin Greenwood Robin is an Ancient History student and the 25/26 Travel Editor (and unofficial Print Editor). Latest Articles by this Author

Shopping sustainably? Here are the best vintage, second-hand and preloved shops in Nottingham Evie Dowding Monday, 23 September 2024 Evie talks us through the top spots and events for getting your preloved fashion fix. When I arrived in Nottingham as a fresher, I couldn’t wait to search out all of the best second-hand clothing shops to satisfy my thrifting addiction. As I’m sure it is for many readers, thrifting and charity shopping for clothes is a hobby, a pastime and something I love doing with friends. The great thing about Nottingham is there is something for all tastes and budgets. Here’s my run-down of the best areas, shops and events for sustainable shopping. Here’s my run-down of the best areas, shops and events for sustainable shopping. City Centre Bubble Vintage What I love about Bubble Vintage is that when I browse the clothes, I can actually afford them! You can find designer brands as well as unique pieces. The best thing I ever purchased here was a pair of Schultz wooden chunky sandals - and for only £15; I knew I had to have them. A warning: the store is cash only, so come prepared. Cancer Research A small Cancer Research shop is tucked away on Friar Lane (near the Kitty Cafe), and it’s always worth having a browse for clothes and jewellery. White Rose A charity shop started by Nottingham Trent Graduates, aiming to recycle high street clothing and reduce waste. White Rose Stores can be spotted all over Nottingham City Centre, Hockley and Beeston. Hockley Hockley is one of my favourite areas of Nottingham. It was, naturally, dubbed the ‘Soho’ of the city. This area is brimming with cool food spots, trendy bars, record stores and an abundance of sustainable clothing options. Start on Carlton Street, grab a coffee and dedicate a morning to exploring. COW COW is an independent vintage clothing store found in cities across the UK, which boasts an array of hand-picked pieces for all styles and genders. While a lot of their branded pieces are definitely on the pricier side, they have sale racks and a kilo sale at the end of every month. WILD Clothing A few minutes walk from Cow, sits WILD Clothing, and it's not hard to miss with its bold red facade. This independent vintage store has been around since 1983, offering vintage jackets, shirts, jeans and much more. While you do pay for higher quality, be aware that this place is definitely for those with higher budgets, or that leather jacket you’ve been wanting for years. My Sight If you're on a lower budget or just prefer the hunt in charity shops, My Sight is always worth a visit. This local charity shop is only small, yet if you rummage for long enough you can find vintage items of clothing and accessories for reasonable prices. Oxfam Further along Goose Gate I always like to go and browse in Oxfam, not just for clothes, but books too. As far as sustainable and budget shopping goes, Oxfam is the best of the bunch. Beeston I love spending an afternoon in the little town of Beeston, for its calmer atmosphere which reminds me of my Suffolk home town. The other selling point is that its high street is quite literally flooded with charity shops. Whether you get the tram or bus you can start at either end of High Road, and you will find nine or ten charity shops in very close proximity to one another, including an Oxfam and White Rose. Sustainable shopping in Beeston is as affordable as it can get, and a fun escape from the city. Events St Mary's Church, Lace Market As an alternative to visiting shops, you can keep an eye out for events at St Mary’s church, often the site for Worth Weight Vintage Kilo Sales. There is also an event coming up on the 5th of October called Lou’s Vintage Fair where independent sellers will be based. Make sure to get tickets in advance and get there early! About the Author Evie is our Travel Editor for 2024-25. She has just returned from her year abroad in Bordeaux and Argentina. Evie loves all things languages and culture, so this year she made a goal to write for Lingo Magazine! Her interests include reading, travel, adventure and most importantly food - "Call me pretentious but after living in Bordeaux for 4 months I've started swishing wine around my mouth to find its nuances!" Copyright free images via Pexels. 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: Fashion Sustainability 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

< Back Jude Sharaiha Jude Sharaiha is an International Media and Communications student and the 25/26 Co-President. Latest Articles by this Author

Portuguese loanwords in Japanese Aidan Cross Wednesday, 8 June 2022 One of our Welfare Secs, Aidan, explores the influence of Portuguese on the Japanese language and the relationship between the two languages. Read on to discover the true origin of a very popular Japanese dish! The Portuguese arrived to Japan as merchants and missionaries in 1543, during the Muromachi period (室町時代) which lasted from 14th to 16th Century. As the first Europeans to reach Japan, bringing with them new goods and Christianity, many Portuguese words found their way into Japanese and their influence on the language can still be seen today in the form of loanwords. However, this was not a one-sided exchange - as the Japanese learned from the Portuguese, the Portuguese also learned from the Japanese. For example, in 1603, Portuguese missionaries compiled the “Nippo Jisho” (日葡辞書) or “Vocabulario da Lingoa de Iapam” (Vocabulário da Língua do Japão), translating 32,000 Japanese words into Portuguese and becoming the first dictionary between Japanese and a European language. In Japanese, loanwords (or gairaigo, 外来語) from foreign languages are typically written in katakana (片仮名), a phonetic script. However, older loanwords, such as many of those originating from Portuguese, are written in kanji (漢字), logographic Chinese characters, and are known as ateji (当て字) in which the characters can both represent the sound and meaning of the word. For example, the Japanese word “tabako” from the Portuguese “tabaco” can be written in kanji as 煙草: 煙 meaning “smoke” and 草 meaning “grass”. Most of the words introduced into Japanese from Portuguese refer to goods that were brought to Japan for the first time by Portuguese traders such as “kappa” (合羽) from “capa”(cape) and “botan” (ボタン) from “botão”(button), as well as “pan” (パン) from “pão”(bread). Whilst these words are still used in Japanese, many other Portuguese loanwords, especially Christian religious terms, are archaic and aren’t generally heard in modern-day Japan. Another food that was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese is tempura , known in Japanese as “tenpura” (天ぷら) from the Portuguese “tempora”. Now typical of Japanese cuisine, tempura was a traditional Portuguese dish of deep-fried battered seafood or vegetables, eaten during periods of religious fasting and abstinence from meat. Portugal’s version of this dish survives as the deep-fried battered green beans called Peixinhos de Horta (literally “little fishes from the garden”) – and they’re delicious! 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: Portuguese Japanese Loanwords Influence Food Aidan Cross Categories: Language Study Language and Linguistics Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

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

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