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Film Review: Lee (2024) Sarah Taylor Tuesday, 1 October 2024 ‘Lee’ details the life of Lee Miller, a successful model and muse to May Ray who became a war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II. The film opens with a care-free existence for Lee and her friends on the brink of war. Lee’s strong, defiant personality is quick to rise to the surface with her meeting her future husband, Roland, and you get a real feel for her character. ‘Lee’ starts off by photographing the devastation caused by the Blitz and is already showing her immense creative talent. The film details the challenges faced by women at the time, as Lee has a lengthy battle to get to be a war correspondent and only succeeds because of her American citizenship. Women were not allowed in combat, which makes Lee’s achievement even more remarkable. The film dramatically changes direction with Lee firmly planted right in the action, photographing the first battle of the film, where her shock and disbelief is evident as she tries to navigate various trenches and hide outs. Lee’s mental health is the undercurrent of the film, with only a small reference to the traumatic event she suffered early in childhood in the last 10 minutes of the film which clearly had a devastating effect on her. She identifies with a small child who has suffered the same experience in what is a very moving scene when Lee and her companion, American photographer, David E. Scherman, see the devastating effects of concentration camps, Buchenwald, and Dachau. Lee’s heavy drinking is also evident throughout, but Lee is no casualty. What you see instead is a strong, courageous woman who puts herself in the centre of the action capturing remarkable photos. The compassion her companion shows her is heartwarming in moments of her vulnerability, but for the rest of the film she is more than capable of looking after herself and the film depicts a deep friendship based on mutual respect for each other’s character and talent. Almost immediately David collaborates with her and is clearly in awe of her strength, both supporting each other through their individual difficulties. The film’s use of location takes you through her journey as a war correspondence and the various sights associated with that, a real contrast to the beautiful, sunny days in France, and an indication of just how bleak war is. The lighting is used to do just this with later scenes taking on a grey appearance with barely any light showing, further reinforcing a menacing darkness that has all too much encapsulated everything. The film is excellently cast, with Kate Winslet the ideal choice for Lee, surpassing all expectations. I do not think I am aware of any film Kate has not delivered an outstanding performance but in this she is spectacular, you really cannot imagine any other actor playing this role. The character of Audrey, played by Andrea Riseborough really compliments Lee and does her best to support Lee in all areas of her work and their friendship proves amusing to see as well as very moving. Lee is a reminder to us all the remarkable strength women have, and the film shines a light on the incredible contribution women gave for the war effort. 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. Encanto: The Deeper Meaning Behind Disney's Award-winning Latino Film Mhairi MacLeod An evening of 'Santi' Emily Brown Athena: A French Film Review Holly Cromwell Images via Sky 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 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

International Film at the Oscars Holly Cromwell Tuesday, 14 March 2023 In honour of the 2023 Oscars on Sunday evening, 12th March, Holly takes us on a brief tour of international film as seen on the Oscars corner of the big screen. The Oscars have always been incredibly euro-centric, and that’s if they even manage to step outside the comforts of homegrown American film. They didn’t try to hide this at first – until 2020, the category Best International Film was called Best Foreign Film – so every film considered foreign was relegated to a single category with little chance of the coveted Best Picture award. Even then, it wasn’t the cast or crew that received the price but rather the country of origin. What’s more, each country is only permitted to submit one nomination, quite the statement for the Academy, which describes its membership as global and its awards as “the highest honours in filmmaking”. We can only assume that the world of film only exists where English is spoken and that those who dare produce art in their own language will be happily herded into their pen. This plays out across the board. Before this year’s awards, a mere six actors have won an Oscar for a non-English-speaking role and one of those, Youn Yuh-jung, spoke a non-European language. That’s the same number that have won awards for roles predominantly in sign language. Of course, we can’t write an article about the Oscars and international film without mentioning Parasite , the first international film to ever win Best Picture. That said, it was in 2020, so it did take them 93 Oscars to get it right! Everyone knows Parasite ; Bong-Joon Ho pushed international film back right into the spotlight, spawning a notorious copycat industry to invest and promote more of his fellows. So maybe that tide is changing – although Asian and non-European international film remains a sight much less common in the western consciousness than their contemporaries. The stakes seem higher now, with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu hunting for an advantage against each other and producing foreign language films in most major territories. You find this category mentioned in articles and videos as one of the most interesting to follow, a prize that is rarely undeserved. So there’s a reason to actually turn on the TV this year. Even then, the legacy of “best foreign film” looms large. In 2020’s landmark Oscars for international film, both the Nigerian-made Lionheart and Austrian Joy were disqualified as their scripts which were primarily in English somehow made them less international, or perhaps not “foreign” enough. Specifically, Lionheart ’s disqualification caused quiet outrage as English is in fact an official language of Nigeria; part of their national tapestry, regardless of the fact it’s a product of colonisation. They have the right to produce art in their languages without being penalised for it. Bong-Joon Ho famously called subtitles the “one inch obstacle” to America, and to extend his metaphor, anglophone audiences. Non-English-speaking audiences have traditionally been seen as less easily commercialised and as such the languages we learn in school: German, French, Italian and Spanish, are much more likely to win than their counterparts. The African continent collectively has only won three times while Europe has won fifty-seven times. That said, every year culture-focused journals and magazines churn out articles about how this edition’s awards were either a high point for values of diversity and inclusion or disappointing given the recent efforts towards those values, across every award and every type of diversity. The Oscars have taken some very heavy hits over the last few years. With the rise of on-demand streaming, live television everywhere has seen viewing figures go down the toilet but for award shows, and film/TV awards particularly, it seems worse and worse. The Academy’s distaste for streaming is a whole other article, but with online content being the most accessible, the awards have become less and less relevant to the wider public, and the decisions of the Academy come under more and more scrutiny. That’s without their yearly controversies adding a couple more nails to the coffin. International film is slowly gaining popularity, so perhaps it can help plug a few leaks on this sinking ship. About the Author Holly was our 2023/24 Culture Editor. An English and French student, Holly is interested in languages and cultures, with a particular interest in film. For her, writing for Lingo is a way to enjoy this further and be a bit more purposeful with her interests, find and share new things! Encanto: The Deeper Meaning Behind Disney's Award-winning Latino Film Mhairi MacLeod An evening of 'Santi' Emily Brown The Rise of Foreign Language TV Holly Cromwell Header image provided by University of Nottingham Filmmaking Society Oscars 2022 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: Holly Cromwell Academy Awards Film International Film Cinema Categories: Culture Opinion 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

French and German < Back Olivia Marshall Olivia was our Welfare Officer for 2023-24. After graduating with a BA in French and German with Translation in 2022, Liv is now completing an MA Translation Studies. Apart from being passionate about translation, she loves to travel, explore new places, and experience different cultures. She is looking forward to meeting others with the same interests through Lingo. Latest Articles by this Author The Forgotten Victims of the Holocaust 17/06/24 Cannabis Legalisation in Germany 10/04/24 Karneval: Germany's obsession with Native Americans 19/02/24

Athena: A French Film Review Holly Cromwell Tuesday, 17 October 2023 A review of one of the best made French films I've seen. Athena (2022) is a masterpiece. Oddly topical, beautifully shot, and as gripping as it was upsetting, ‘Athena’ is an impeccably designed film with a live wire tapped into modern French politics. To go from hearing about riots in France after a black teenager is shot by police, to then watching an acclaimed French film about riots in France after a black teenager is shot by police; it’s quite a surreal experience. The story follows the lives of three brothers whose lives are suddenly plunged into chaos following the tragic death of their youngest brother. Following the release of video footage of the killing, each brother expresses their grief differently: the eldest brother begs for calm in memory of his brother, while the now youngest rallies the grief-stricken community, both in their housing project and across France, and violence erupts. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but I will say that this plot is full of twists and turns, and while realistically chaotic in its depiction, the story has the distinct aura of a Greek tragedy. As a voracious reader, I could see the broad strokes of the story from the offset, and I spent the rest of the film in grim resignation of the resultant death and destruction. This film makes no qualms in its intention of confronting the audience with uncomfortable truths, including the realities of violence and police brutality, and the consequences of prejudice. It provides a quintessentially French perspective on film as an artform by theatrically presenting an innately political situation in such a way that it doesn’t come across as preachy or activist, and, as I have come to expect from French cinema, each shot is stylised to perfection. That perfection comes in chaos. This film is all fast-paced action and explosions, sandwiched between heartbreaking emotion and the confusion of the plot. Every tool in the filmmaker’s arsenal is used masterfully to make the watcher experience the stress of this civil war. I did not watch the whole thing; I took a break in the middle whilst my friends kept watching. This film is so well done that the instant I returned to the sofa I was completely reabsorbed into the story, even as I felt every muscle in my shoulder’s tense. If, like me, you’re not quite in the right mindset for two hours of your heart in your throat, watch the “making of” video on YouTube. It’s just as much a masterpiece as the film. Alternately, watch the opening sequence. I will force anyone I meet in the next year to watch this. It has pyrotechnics, stunts, and all multiple protagonists all in one take, unbroken for 11 minutes. As an amateur filmmaker I was no less than inspired. About the Author Holly was our 2023/24 Culture Editor. An English and French student, Holly is interested in languages and cultures, with a particular interest in film. For her, writing for Lingo is a way to enjoy this further and be a bit more purposeful with her interests, find and share new things! Encanto: The Deeper Meaning Behind Disney's Award-winning Latino Film Mhairi MacLeod Violeta by Isabel Allende: One Hundred Years on the South American Continent Mhairi MacLeod French Connection: An Interview with a True Parisian Part 1/2 : The City of Lights Jess Henrys 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: France Film Drama Culture Romain Gavras Holly Cromwell Categories: Culture Review Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Interrailing Rachel Lara Hoddes Sunday, 14 July 2024 Rachel gives us a comprehensive list of everything she wishes she had known before setting off on her interrailing adventure, sharing her top tips and tricks for a smooth-sailing rail holiday. Interrailing is an incredibly popular travel option nowadays, with around 350,000 students applying for passes annually. I myself have travelled as a student in Europe twice now, so I'd like to think I am somewhat able to share with you a list of tips and tricks for enjoying the fast-paced holiday style preferred by our age group. These range from common sense tips to surprising insights, as even though travelling can be super exciting, it can also be stressful and tiring. Dehydration: Don't Underestimate It This may seem obvious, but intense travelling, especially in hot and humid conditions, can lead to dehydration. It is crucial to stay hydrated to avoid exhaustion, as the last thing you want is to be trekking round a foreign country armed with your ghic and Google translate, only to be referred to completely the wrong service due to language barrier (definitely not based on a real story)! Planning regular drinking intervals, carrying electrolyte packets, and considering locations with water fountains is key to ensuring you can stay healthy and remain active throughout the trip. Additionally, avoid day-drinking and consuming too much caffeine (this may be rich coming from me!), as they can majorly dehydrate you. Factor in Melt Time Constant travel and activity can be exhausting, particularly with disrupted sleep from night trains or noisy hostel roommates, so it is important to have a space to decompress. This doesn't have to be at your accommodation, but putting in headphones on a train sometimes just isn't enough. So, this year, whilst travelling with my friends, we factored in what we called "melt time". We would find a quiet location as a base and split off, some opting to sit with headphones in and watching the bags whilst others would wander off alone to take in some solitude. It really helped us all recharge and ensure that we weren't (too) snappy. Dietary Requirements When travelling in a big group, there are likely to be a lot of dietary requirements. From allergies to religious restrictions to even veganism, we often found ourselves in need of very specific foods. We found that using websites such as "Happy Cow" and learning specific food-related words in local languages to find suitable food options. I would also recommend finding a Lidl or equivalent supermarket to stock up in safe snacks and drinks so that everyone always had something they could eat. Overwhelming Itinerary The main goal of interrailing is to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. To do this, a lot of planning goes on to ensure that everyone involved gets what they want out of a location. But for me personally, I get overwhelmed by a busy itinerary, particularly as things can be so unpredictable when travelling. Trains can be late, people can fall ill, and sometimes you just need an extra lie in. To combat this, I joined the trip late, opting to do only 1 week instead of 2 as despite really wanting to go to all locations, I knew I would get overwhelmed and burnt out due to the amount we had planned. Know your limits! Another thing worth considering is doing a walking tour on the first day of arriving in a location. These are super useful as they allow you to properly experienced a location and gained both cultural and historical knowledge. It also means you can return to locations that caught your eye and assess whether some of your main interests prearrival are actually worth the excursion. And they don't have to be expensive too! Many tours are free with a tip basis so you pay what you think the tour was worth after participating. Also, it's worth downloading some of Rick Steves' free audio guides which provide concise and informative city and attraction tours. Navigating Conflict In every high stress environment, conflict is always going to arise. And travelling, despite being super fun and rewarding, is also stressful. Cohabiting in close proximity with a range of personalities, dietary requirements and routines can be a recipe for dispute - but that's okay! What is important though, is to make sure that you're looking after yourself and others. The best way to do this is by ensuring you're communicating effectively as a group, and setting boundaries for your physical and mental health. Conclusion Since beginning university, I have tried so many new and rewarding things, but interrailing has definitely been one of my favourites. The cherished yet often ludicrous memories I have made will last a lifetime, and I certainly recommend it to anyone with a thirst for exploration. However, it can be difficult and often exhausting, so I hope my tips will help you on your exploration of some of the world's best train routes. About the Author Rachel is a Second Year English student who outside of her degree, lives everything theatre. She is Technical Manager for the Nottingham New Theatre so when she's not doing coursework, she's probably at the theatre rewiring a light or telling off a speaker for not listening to her. She also love climbing, swing dancing, baking and singing, as well as writing for lingo! She likes to write about topics that really grab her attention or mean a lot to her. Is sustainable travel possible during your year abroad? Chloe Brewster How to Navigate the Navigo: A Guide to Paris Transport Charlie Bodsworth Beyond Creatures: Unveiling Pokémon’s Multicultural Universe Jasmine Johal 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: Rachel Lara Hoddes Travel Travel Guide Trains Categories: Travel 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 Language of Lies: Exposing the Unreliable Narrator Saskia Johnson Tuesday, 18 March 2025 Have you ever wondered how language is used to construct lies? By delving into some of literature's most famous liars and unreliable narrators, I hope to conceptualise the act of deception and prove that dishonesty is not as easy to detect as you may think. While we encounter many notorious liars in literature, we may not even realise that the deception has sometimes taken root within the narrators themselves. As readers, it is natural for us to trust the narrators of the stories we read. Therefore, identifying unreliability is not always intended to be easy and may even be utilised purposefully by the author. That’s not to say that lying isn’t often obvious in many popular texts. Take Iago from Shakespeare’s Othello, for example. Throughout the whole play, the audience is aware that Iago is weaving lies whereas the other characters do not, often falling victim to his manipulations. This is because lying takes place in verbal communication through the act of violating, meaning that the quality of contribution to the conversation has been jeopardised by the speaker without their interlocutor noticing. The use of recurring utterances of other characters such as ‘honest Iago’ makes it clear that his deception is successful. It is important that this is communicated to the audience as it is Iago’s evil motives that drive forward the understanding of the play and subsequent tragedy. This is very different for unreliable narrators who are, for the most part, very subtly constructed by the author to be deceptive. Point of view is one of the most important linguistic considerations when attempting to understand how the unreliable narrator is established. Through first-person narration and third-person close narration, the reader sees the world through the consciousness of the narrator and subsequently, their subjective world. One of the most well-known, yet not strikingly obvious, unreliable narrators is Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby. As a first-person narrator, the reader experiences the world of the novel through Nick’s eyes. In this case, we are dealing with a narrator who is full of contradictions and is easily influenced by those around him. For instance, when Nick first attends one of Gatsby’s parties, he is enchanted by what he witnesses and feels a certain admiration for Gatsby himself. However, when he attends another one of Gatsby’s parties with his cousin, Daisy, he is struck by the artificial nature of the events, just as Daisy herself is. This prompts us to question whether we can trust Nick’s psychological and ideological perception of the events. Is Daisy really the bad guy? Or is Nick too enamoured by Gatsby to be able to think any differently? In this case, it is unclear whether F. Scott Fitzgerald is making Nick unreliable to represent an interior message or if this is a characteristic associated with Nick’s personality idiosyncrasies. It’s times like this when I greatly admire authors and their ability to channel a mind, or multiple, in order to immerse the reader within the story, to leave them enchanted by flawed characters, clueless to the real messages creeping beneath the surface. Maybe next time you read a book, you’ll outwit the author. Just take a second to consider–am I being lied to? About the Author I have always enjoyed reading and creative writing! Upon coming to uni, I developed a particular interest in the study of linguistics which I find helps me to analyse texts and even write my own. Lingo gives me the opportunity to become a better writer and discover what it's like to be a journalist, writing about the things I am passionate about. Copyright free images courtesy of 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: Language Categories: I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

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

How to travel cheaply during your year abroad Chloe Brewster Monday, 15 August 2022 In this article, Chloe, who has just finished her year abroad in France, offers advice on how to travel both within and outside your host country without spending a fortune or even relying on air travel. Living in your host city for a semester or a year always presents numerous opportunities for immersing yourself in local customs and activities, but sometimes you may fancy a change of setting and want to explore the country (or perhaps some others). Contrary to common perception, travelling during your year abroad needn’t be expensive provided that you plan accordingly and learn some tips which enable you to live and think like a local in your host country! Sign up for a rail card If you are working or studying in a country for a semester, it is easy to assume that investing in a rail card is not worthwhile, but rail cards tend to be cheap and barely make a dent into your pocket. For example, I only paid 15 euros for a regional ‘Grand Est Primo’ card during my year abroad in Strasbourg, France which reduced rail fares by 50% during the week and a mind-blowing 70% at weekends – needless to say, I used the card as often as I could because French regional rail travel is significantly cheaper than in the UK! The card even included trips to Switzerland which was a novelty since it wasn’t even in the same country , let alone the same region. A cheap visit to Basel, Switzerland thanks to a regional rail card (same cannot be said of the extortionately priced McDonald’s though!) Owning a rail card definitely incites you to explore your local region and sometimes appreciate a change of scenery. However, if bigger cities or further-away areas are more appealing to you, a general youth discount card (valid on long-distance trains) might be better suited which offers generous discounts for trains booked in advance (although last-minute deals can also be found). In France, the Carte Avantage Jeune (49 euros for a year) offers significant savings on TGV or fast-speed trains, which broadens the spectrum of cities that you can visit relatively inexpensively (see the below image). Even though it is a bigger investment compared to the cheaper regional cards, the Carte Avantage Jeune pays for itself within one or two trips! Cathédrale de Besançon, France – eligible for the Carte Avantage Jeune Travel by coach or bus In an era of increased environmental awareness, travelling by coach is advantageous both for your budget and for the environment. Flixbus and Blablabus are two of the most well-known coach companies in mainland Europe, making long-distance travel more accessible (and somewhat comfortable with free Wifi and charging points on board). Alternating between coach and rail travel can be a good compromise if travelling completely by coach doesn’t appeal to you, especially for day trips; during a recent visit to Luxembourg, I travelled there on regional trains then returned home via a Flixbus in the late evening. Exploring the Grund in Luxembourg City Watch out for special deals In between your work placement or studies, you probably don’t have an abundance of time to constantly check rail discounts in the hope that a special offer might come up in time for your travels! But it is definitely worth keeping an eye on rail apps for your host country (DB, SNCF, etc.) to see if there are any sales for particular routes which may usually be quite expensive. I finally managed to get discounted tickets to Paris not long before I finished my year abroad after months of waiting for special deals, so perseverance is certainly essential as difficult as it might be! Finally made it to the Eiffel Tower! Bring your student card/passport Now that you have hopefully arrived at your travel destination, you are going to plan what you are going to do there. If you are studying abroad, your student card should entitle you to discounts or free admission into cultural places such as museums. If you are travelling to another country (i.e. Germany from France), you can still use your (French) student card and be eligible for discounts, which is always much-welcomed. Porta Nigra, Trier (Germany) – a discounted visit thanks to my student card However, certain cities offer discounts or free admission based on your passport status. In Paris, free admission is usually determined by possessing an EU passport and being under the age of 25. While this may prove disappointing for British passport holders (another unfortunate legacy of Brexit!), all hope is not necessarily lost. For example, I visited the Arc de Triomphe for free by showing my long-stay student visa, although this should also apply to holders of a working visa. You never know when a passport/visa or student card may come in handy for entitling you to discounts, so it is always wise to bring relevant documentation with you for your travels because why not ? These are just a few tips (but not an exhaustive list!) for travelling as economically as possible during your year abroad and gaining an insight (via culture, history or food) into other regions in your host country. Whether it is for a day trip or a weekend break, travelling is definitely one of the most exhilarating elements of a year abroad and is not to be missed! About the Author Chloe is a final year French student who has studied abroad in Strasbourg and wants to share her experiences of travelling - including as a solo female - in Europe. She is particularly interested in French culture (if there is a fine arts museum around, she will find it!), but living in Strasbourg has exposed her to other cultures (German, Swiss, Luxembourgish, you get the gist...). Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod 48 Hours in Seville: Spain's Sunny City Niamh Woodhouse Hungry in St Petersburg? My Top 5 Restaurants for Visitors Jess Henrys Images provided by Chloe Brewster For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Chloe Brewster Budget Tips Year Abroad France Categories: Travel Travel 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! LOAD MORE

Tone in Indo-European Languages: Let’s take a look at Punjabi Aaron Gil Monday, 31 October 2022 Indo-European languages are not typically associated with tone but there are a few Indo-European languages that incorporate tone in one way or another. Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) is one of them so let’s take a look into how tone is incorporated in the Punjabi language. Indo-European languages are not typically associated with tone but there are a few of them that incorporate tone in one way or another. Punjabi ( ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) is one of them, so let’s take a look into how tone is incorporated in the Punjabi language. Punjabi is spoken in both India and Pakistan and has over 100 million native speakers . In India, it is written in the Gurmukhi script, whereas in Pakistan it is written in the Shahmukhi script. In this article, I’ll be referring to the Gurmukhi script, as that is what I’m familiar with. Gurmukhi is an abugida (a specific type of writing system) and consists of 35 primary letters. It is arranged in such a way that each row – excluding the first and last row - represents a certain manner of articulation, and each column is a variation on that articulation. For those curious about Gurmukhi, this video pronounces the names of the letters and gives some example words. Gurmukhi Alphabet The letters in the red box along with ਹ (sometimes) serve as tone markers and the placement of these letters within a syllable – at the beginning or the end – determines the nature of the tone In Punjabi there are three types of tone: low, high, and level. The low tone is characterized by lowering the voice below the normal pitch and then rising back in the following syllable. In the high tone the pitch of the voice rises above its normal level falling back at the following symbol. The level tone is carried by the remaining words. The sounds of ਘ,ਝ,ਢ,ਧ,ਭ , when appearing at the beginning of a syllable, carry the low tone3. The letter is pronounced in the same way as the first column equivalent. ਘ = ਕ + low tone High tone is typically seen when ਹ is in the middle or end of the word. In these instances, the sound of ਹ is not pronounced and the only indication of its existence in the word is the high tone. High tone also occurs when the letters the sounds of ਘ,ਝ,ਢ,ਧ,ਭ occur in the final position within a word. More detail about tone in Punjabi can be found in this lecture . One thing that you can infer from this is that tone in Punjabi is much simpler than Chinese for example. As to why tone has arisen in the Punjabi language, it is hard to say. According to the book ‘An Introduction to Punjabi - Grammar, Conversation and Literature,’ the tonal feature of Punjabi is something that awaits serious research. Many native speakers of Punjabi probably don’t even recognize the fact that they use tone as for them it is something acquired naturally. Nevertheless, tone is an important factor in the language and is something that makes it unique. About the Author Aaron is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student, who likes learning about languages and would love to share some knowledge about his mother tongue of Punjabi which he is currently trying to learn. Tone in Indo-European Languages: Let’s take a look at Punjabi Aaron Gil Images provided by Aaron Gil. 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: Aaron Gill Punjabi Tone Indo-European 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

Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Brownies with Dulce de Leche Emily Dawson Friday, 2 December 2022 Recipe of the Week with @ems.homecooking will teach you a new dish from around the world. This weeks recipe is one of my own and will teach you the secret to getting that perfect crispy brownie top. Serves: 12-18 Difficulty: 3/5 Time: 1hr (20 minutes prep, 40-45 minutes cooking time) A twist on everyone’s favourite baked treat that gives even Beeston Brownies a run for their money, this recipe is one of my own. The depth and thickness of the mixture means you can bake this one for 40 minutes and you’ll still have a deliciously gooey brownie. The dulce de leche also transforms the crust into a chewy outer shell making this recipe my go-to sweet treat, which is always requested by friends and family. Ingredients 200g butter 200g dark chocolate 4 large eggs 350g caster sugar 100g plain flour 50g cocoa powder 100g milk chocolate, roughly chopped 2 tbsp dulce de leche Method Melt the dark chocolate and butter in a pan over a medium heat, making sure to stir constantly as to not burn the bottom. Once melted, set aside to cool. Whisk the sugar and eggs together in a separate bowl until the mixture is pale and has doubled in size. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture. Sift and fold the flour and cocoa powder into the mixture. Add the milk chocolate making sure it is distributed evenly. Pour the mixture into a 20cm x 24cm tin and spread it evenly across the tin Using a spoon, swirl the dulce de leche through the top layer in a spiral pattern. For more savoury and tasty treat recipes, follow @ems.homecooking on Instagram. About the Author Emily is a fourth-year student, studying Spanish, Chinese and Business. She is an avid baker turned chef who can often be found in the kitchen making content for her Instagram (@ems.homecooking). Emily was our 2022/23 Treasurer. Recipe of the Week: Shakshuka with Merguez Emily Dawson Recipe of the Week: Chicken Curry Emily Dawson Recipe of the Week: Vegan Pasta Bake Emily Dawson Images provided by Emily Dawson. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Emily Dawson Brownies Chocolate Dessert Cooking Categories: Recipe of the Week Culture Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

French and Francophone Studies < Back Francesca Wren Fran is a final year French student, returning to campus after completing her year abroad in France. She spent her time working as an English language assistant in the suburbs of the Paris. She can't wait to share her tips of living in Paris and her anecdotes of a year abroad with the readers of Lingo! Latest Articles by this Author Saving your centimes: How to do Paris on a Budget 16/03/22 YEAR ABROAD TALES: Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder? 04/03/22

Exploring Spain through Erasmus Trips Grace Whitaker Tuesday, 14 June 2022 Grace, a Modern Languages with Translation third year, tells us about the various Erasmus trips she went on whilst completing a semester abroad in Valencia, Spain. Read on to find out why Grace can fully recommend Erasmus trips for other students, studying or working abroad. Before arriving in Valencia for my study abroad, I had little knowledge of the city, except that it is on the eastern coast of Spain. However, upon arriving, I soon learnt that it is one of the most popular destinations for Erasmus students with thousands attending just my university. Thanks to this huge Erasmus population, several different companies offer weekly club nights and trips at the weekend. One of the benefits of these trips is that there is transport included meaning you can visit places that otherwise would have been too difficult to visit independently. In this article, I will list some of the places I visited during my time in Spain. 05.02.2022 – Alicante The first trip I went on was during my second week of living in Spain. About an hour and a half further down the coast from Valencia, Alicante is a coastal city, very popular with British holidaymakers. We visited the castle, had lunch and walked around some of the Old Town. I feel that doing trips like these really encourage you to make and find new friends; the girls I went to Alicante with nearly 4 months ago are some of my closest friends now! 20.02.2022 – Montanejos Montanejos is one of those places that would have been near-impossible to visit without an organised trip. It is a hot spring located deep in the Spanish countryside, around an hour from Valencia. We first completed a fairly challenging hike which included several moments of me thinking that this was the end. Luckily, I survived and then my friends and I were able to swim in the hot spring - very refreshing! 13.03.2022 – Xativa During the Fallas (a famous Valencian festival), we visited Xativa, a town further into the Comunidad de Valencia. We spent the majority of the day exploring the castle where we were able to watch the daily ‘mascleta’ – a type of firework display that occurs during Fallas. We then wandered around the town centre and ate some patatas bravas before returning home. 09.04.2022 – Zaragoza Zaragoza was the furthest place I had travelled just for a day trip, taking over 4 hours to travel there from Valencia. However, it was a beautiful city to visit, especially the basilica where we had a guided tour. The basilica looks over the river that winds through the city and offers amazing views. The famous Romantic painter Goya called the city home and so there is a museum dedicated to his work. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to visit. Despite the long journey from the east coast, this is certainly a city worth visiting! 30.04.2022 – Isla de Tabarca Last but certainly not least was our trip to the Isla de Tabarca, the smallest inhabited island in Europe, just off the coast of Alicante. We arrived by catamaran to the island, I felt like I was living my Mamma Mia dream! After some lunch, we found a little cove where we were able to sunbathe and go swimming - I had never seen such clear water before. The weather was perfect, it is definitely my favourite trip. Whether you are studying or completing an internship, I would certainly recommend researching Erasmus companies in your area, almost all major European cities have them. They are an excellent way to make friends and visit places to make the most of your year abroad. About the Author Grace is a final year languages student studying French and Spanish. She is openly a member of the LGBTQIA community - an area she would love to focus on in her articles! Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod 48 Hours in Seville: Spain's Sunny City Niamh Woodhouse 7 Reasons to visit Santo Domingo Millie Adams Images provided by Grace Whitaker. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Spain Erasmus Day Trips Year Abroad Culture Grace Whitaker 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