Search Results

Spanish and International Media and Communication < Back Karen Ucha Lima Karen is a travel fanatic, they always have some crazy adventure in mind. They love to take pictures and explore different places. They currently speak 3 languages, Lingo Magazine is the perfect place to combine their love for travel, learning languages and share all her cultural background. The best way to learn is from each other. Latest Articles by this Author

International Media and Communication < Back Caitlin Morrell Local to Nottingham, Caitlin is an International Media and Communications student and the 25/26 Publicity Officer. While she has yet to actually spend a year anywhere, she has an appreciation of travel/culture and would like to explore outside of her birthplace. Besides late night crash outs, she enjoys laughing at bad films, writing fiction and pacing her room with her music on full blast. Latest Articles by this Author A Concert and Album Review: From The Pyre - The Last Dinner Party at The Level 29/10/25 How did the Convicted Felon Donald Trump Manage to Win the US Elections? 09/12/24 Just Stop Oil: Who are they, and why are they throwing soup on paintings? 14/11/24

Why Do We All Need Subtitles Now? Holly Cromwell Monday, 20 February 2023 An answer to the question everyone's asking, looking into the various reasons why subtitles are becoming more and more common. In my first article with Lingo, I brought up the growing ease of subtitles as one of the reasons that foreign films are becoming more popular but even those who don’t watch media in other languages are using subtitles more and more. It’s now my default on everything from YouTube to Netflix and honestly, I do miss them at the cinema. And I’m not alone. Nearly everyone I know clicks on the subtitles. So why do we do this? There’s a been several articles on this over the years, mostly critical, and recently an excellent video by Vox - that I recommend for anyone looking for more detail. One of the theories is that many popular films are made for a cinematic experience, complete with wall-to-wall sound, explosions and a dynamic sound range. You can’t make a sound louder after a certain point or the quality becomes distorted so you make everything else quieter instead, including dialogue. So, home listeners resort to turning up the volume in order to hear everything. Christopher Nolan does this on purpose. He’s renowned for inaudible dialogue and has admitted in an interview that he is aware of the ‘problem’, even of other filmmakers' complaints, but claims he doesn’t “mix sound for sub-standard theatres”. As viewers at home, we take those substandard theatres and downgrade the sound even further to our TVs, phones and computers. This is then made worse as microphones get better and more detailed sounds are included, as when you compress it all to function on a laptop or TV instead of the big screen, that detail is lost and takes some of the dialogue with it. One thing to think about as well, although it is much less established than the ideas above, is the theory of cinematic realism. We no longer live in the age of silent movies with stuttery black-and-white images of painted sets and melodramatic acting. The further we get from that age the more we see method actors and directors obsessing over presenting audiences with a new reality. This, in combination with advances in microphone technology, brings about the age of the mumble, where actors can hardly be heard and, might not even want you to hear them. Like the third-to-the-left chorus member on stage, some lines are not there to be understood, just to add to the ambience of the scene. It’s realistic for us not to hear every word out of a character's mouth, except in real life we can stop people and ask them what they just said. It’s interesting to see which films we can’t hear, a lot of the ones I see people writing articles about, at least, are serious dramas, like Banshees of Inisherin, White Lotus or even Game of Thrones. A pet theory of mine is that subtitles force concentration. I bounce from task to task these days, with phone in hand or if not then a crochet project or notebook. Everyone seems to do everything at once or nothing at all, so maybe if we add reading subtitles to the experience of watching a show that’s enough to force you to pay attention – after all, if you look away they change and you lose the plot. Finally, subtitles have so many extra benefits: you can appreciate the entire script complete with humorous attempts at explaining background noises, you can watch in a more chaotic, busy environment, and you can watch with friends or family who have auditory problems or processing issues. 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 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: Holly Cromwell Technology Film Sound Subtitling Categories: Culture Analysis Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

The Beeston Film Festival: Highlighting the Truths of Womanhood in Film Emma Burnett Wednesday, 8 May 2024 A synopsis of my favourite short films from the Women's Voices sections at The Beeston Film Festival From Non-fiction, to Drama, Comedy, and Horror, the Beeston Film Festival truly has it all. But the category that truly stood out to me was Women’s Voices. There were three separate sections within it: ‘Bonds’, ‘Boundaries’ and ‘Needs’, each celebrating a wide array of female talent. What I found so moving about each of these films was the truth within their stories. Seeing my peers’ and my own real experiences of womanhood validated on screen was so affecting. The cinematic portrayals of female relationships were so poignant, each in their own ways. Whether it was sisterhood, female friendships or mother-daughter bonds; the emotional connections portrayed were so incredibly precious. I left the cinema each time feeling grateful to be a woman. Let me take you through my favourite films of these sections. 1) Best Dressed (UK) Best Dressed pleasantly surprised me. Starring Normal People ’s Eliot Salt, it began with two sisters, who are separately yet simultaneously stuck in the sort of limbo you find yourself in right before an event you don’t really want to attend. The event in question, we find out later, is their mother’s wake. Allie, the older sibling, finds herself outside with her best friend, stalling, despite the pouring rain. Meanwhile, Sarah, her younger sister, is tearing up her room searching for the right outfit for the occasion. The pair finally collide on the stairs, once Allie cannot procrastinate any longer, and Sarah has exhausted every option in her wardrobe. This is the point in which it becomes clear that the two have been preparing for a wake, as Allie greets Sarah with a ‘what the f***?’ upon finding the thirteen-year-old dressed in a floral halter top and white mini skirt. Best Dressed won me over here – the sisterly interaction was hysterically accurate. The dialogue in the film is consistently light-hearted, perfectly juxtaposing the setting of the film to convey how surreal these tragic situations can be. 2) Roped (Spain) I never imagined that an animated film could stir such powerful emotions within me. Roped is simultaneously devasting and heartening. It visualizes the beauty of the relationship between a mother and daughter through the most vibrant and gorgeous animations. ‘Roped’ together by an eternal bond, they are inseparable. Even when the daughter moves out, the mother stays by her side, represented by an omnipresent, helpful pair of hands. The film portrays the cyclical structure of the mother-daughter relationship: when the daughter becomes a parent, she finally understands the galaxy worth of love her own mother has for her. Perhaps I have just been away from home for too long, but this film made me absolutely sob. 3) My Week with Maisy (UK) My Week with Maisy is a precious film. When the uptight Mrs. Foster (Joanna Lumley) finds herself in a chemo-therapy treatment room with the ball of joy that is Maisy (Ellie-Mai Siame), at first she is cold and rather callous. It doesn’t take long, however, until Maisy has chipped away at Mrs. Foster’s hard exterior and opened up her heart. The interactions between the pair are often surprising: my favourite moment being Maisy’s declaration of her lesbianism to the very much conservative Mrs. Foster. The film is built on juxtapositions, reflected even in the pink and blue colour scheme, which adds to the vibrancy of the film. What may at first appear to be a slightly cliché story of young and old, My Week with Maisy is well-executed and a truly heart-warming watch. 4) Ceres (UK) Ceres is the Roman goddess of agriculture, fertility, and motherly relationships. The myth of Ceres, who attempts to save her daughter Proserpina from Hades parallels the story told in this film, that’s where the title came from. Set in Norfolk, the mother (Juliet Stevenson) lives off the land, her life of solitude disrupted by the return of her daughter (Hannah Morrish). The mother yearns to save her daughter from the suffocation of her abusive relationship. The pair’s strained relationship is communicated very subtly through expression and gesture throughout the film. What I love about this film is how much it manages to say without words: conveying multitudes through just the movement of hands. Ceres approaches the incredibly difficult subject of domestic abuse with acute tenderness and subtilty. 5) The Sun is up and I Shall Live (Singapore) The Sun is up and I Shall Live follows a chaotic day in the life of an eldest daughter who bears the impossible weight of responsibility left behind by her deceased parents. Juggling both her lively younger brother, and an often-confused grandma, Maple is the sole carer for her family. Regardless, she keeps up a brave face, even when her grandma’s mental decline lands her in some serious bother. Despite Maple’s hardships, the film is full of colour and genuinely wholesome. Eldest daughters keep the world moving, and it is touching to see that recognised on screen. Celebrating women’s voices in film is so important. The Beeston Film Festival spotlights so many underrepresented voices, giving them the space to share their wonderful and unique stories. The festival taught me so much, truly widening my world view. About the Author Emma is our Editor in Chief for 2024-25. She is a third year International Media and Communications student and aspiring journalist. She loves being a part of Lingo as it allows her to combine her passion for arts, cultures and languages with writing articles. Finding the Light: Reviewing a Beeston Film Festival Variety Pack Holly Cromwell Promises (African Voices): A Variety Pack Review from Beeston Film Festival Harriet Rothwell-Inch The Beeston Film Festival: Highlighting the Truths of Womanhood in Film Emma Burnett Images provided by Beeston Film Festival. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: film culture festival Beeston Film Festival 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

Banksy Cut and Run Exhibition: Review Emma Burnett Tuesday, 7 November 2023 This Summer (2023), Banksy's first official exhibition in 14 years opened in Glasgow's GoMA. Just about as elusive as Banksy himself, the Cut and Run exhibition was truly enigmatic, forbidding any public photography. Fortunate enough to get her hands on tickets, Emma Burnett recounts her experience of possibly the most intimate exploration of the legendary Banksy ever seen before. Walking up to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Glasgow, you are first greeted by a longstanding Glaswegian inside joke. This is the statue of the Duke of Wellington, who has worn a traffic cone on his head for the best part of the last 40 years. Once you’ve nodded with bemusement, possibly snapped a couple of pictures of it, you enter the gallery, only to discover that it is this landmark that granted Glasgow the honour of hosting the exhibition. Banksy recounts that he has always found the tireless existence of the traffic cone hilarious - every time it is taken down, another one takes its place with immediate effect. One might say that the statue personifies the anti-establishment nature of Banksy’s artwork. The exhibition captured this perfectly. As Banksy stated on a wall of the exhibition: “Most artists have an obsession that defines their work, Monet had light, Hockney has colour, I’ve got police response time”. This obsession was certainly evident, as the GoMA was littered with references to law enforcement. Some were more explicit, such as a disturbingly life-like model of a police officer see-sawing on a children’s rocking horse, and some more subtle, such as first-edition of the Union Jack bulletproof vest Stormzy wore to headline Glastonbury in 2019. However boundary-pushing, or arguably offensive, it may be, the brilliance of Banksy’s artwork cannot be denied. Pieces such as ‘The Great British Spraycation’ and ‘Balloon Girl’ are simply beautiful in their raw depiction of humanity. The Cut and Run exhibition captures perfectly the contradiction of Banksy. Primarily, that despite the fact that hi s art is as public as it possibly can be, his identity has always been the artist’s greatest secret – his disguise (a beige trench coat and Groucho glasses) was also featured in the exhibition. Banksy’s artworks are often built upon juxtaposition; this is exemplified in his ‘Flower Bomber’ and ‘Punk’s Mum’ pieces, both of which have been recreated in the exhibition. The exquisite storytelling of the exhibition does not occur solely through art, but also through those easily ignored, small, white boxes of writing which line the walls of art galleries. Despite their usual forgettability, they housed satirical, yet poignant anecdotes from Banksy himself. Narrating the exhibition, these amusing reminiscences became a focal point of the exhibition, producing ruptures of laughter from the audience. ‘This guy should be a comedian!’, I overheard one audience member exclaim. The most valuable knowledge Banksy relays, however, is the unquantifiable power of art. Art can convey so much without words. It can be political, it can be influential, it can be revolutionary. Banksy’s Cut and Run exhibition may be the most revealing examination of Banksy and his work yet. He uses his artwork to lead us on a journey through the depths of his mind – the mind of one of the most innovative artists of our time. About the Author Emma is our Editor in Chief for 2024-25. She is a third year International Media and Communications student and aspiring journalist. She loves being a part of Lingo as it allows her to combine her passion for arts, cultures and languages with writing articles. I Went to a Naked Orchestra: A Review of Carta by Monica Calle Niamh Woodhouse Violeta by Isabel Allende: One Hundred Years on the South American Continent Mhairi MacLeod Holi on the Downs 2022 Beth Walker Images provided by Emma Burnett. Links to images below. 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 . Image links (in order of appearance, including thumbnail): https://www.bigissue.com/culture/art/banksy-cut-run-is-the-closest-weve-come-to-seeing-behind-his-mask/ https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4781238/nike-orange-trainer-glasgow-tributes-duke-of-wellington-statue/ https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/art/banksy-goes-on-a-mural-making-spree-in-england https://niblanconinegro.com.ar/un-banksy-se-vende-por-mas-de-12-9-millones-de-dolares-en-una-subasta-de-criptomonedas/ http://www.aliexpress.com/item/BANKSY-MOM-PUNK-CRASS-WALL-MURAL-TRANSFER-ART-STICKER-STENCIL-POSTER-DECAL-HOME-WALL-STICKERS-MODERN/32635029219.html Tags: Art Banksy Culture Events Emma Burnett Exhibition Categories: Culture Experience Review Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

Spanish and Contemporary Chinese Studies < Back Chris Stankley Chris is a fourth-year Spanish and Chinese student. In his free time, Chris likes to listen to foreign language music and cook vegan food. Latest Articles by this Author An Intro to Taiwanese Music 29/11/22

The Bubbling History of Boba Jasmine Johal Monday, 11 March 2024 Bubble tea is currently a major trend, but what are its origins and who invented it? Bubble tea, also known as boba tea or pearl milk tea, has taken the world by storm. Its vibrant colours, chewy tapioca balls and delightful flavours have captivated the hearts of millions. But where did this trendy beverage originate? And who deserves the title of “Inventor of Boba”? The origins of bubble tea can be traced back to Taiwan in the 1980s. Whilst tea has been a staple in Chinese culture for thousands of years, the addition of tapioca pearls and other toppings to create bubble tea is a relatively new innovation. The exact origin is disputed, with several Taiwanese tea houses claiming to have invented the drink. One account attributes the invention of bubble tea to Ms. Lin Hsiu Hui, the product development manager of the Chun Shui Tang teahouse in Taichung, Taiwan. In 1988, during a staff meeting, Ms. Lin playfully poured her sweetened tapioca pudding into her iced Assam tea and invited her colleagues to try it. The drink was an instant hit and became the chain’s best-selling item. Another claim states that bubble tea came from the Hanlin Tea Room in Tainan, Taiwan in 1986. The owner of this tearoom, Tu Tsong-he, was inspired by the white tapioca balls, a traditional Taiwanese snack, and decided to add them to his tea. The Hanlin Tea Room’s version used smaller pearls, which resembled pearls in oysters, thus the name “pearl milk tea”. Regardless of its true origin, the popularity of bubble tea quickly spread throughout Taiwan. Vendors experimented with various tea bases, such as black, green and oolong tea and introduced a wide range of flavourings, including fruit syrups and powders. The drink became an integral part of Taiwanese youth culture and everyday life. Bubble tea began to spread beyond Taiwan in 1990s. Taiwanese immigrants opened tea shops in other parts of Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, with each region adapting the drink to its local preferences. In the early 2000s, bubble tea started gaining popularity in the United States and Europe, particularly in cities with large Asian American communities. Today, bubble tea is a global phenomenon enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. The key to its success is how versatile the drink is, from classic milk tea with tapioca pearls to alcoholic versions of the beverage. The bubble tea market continues to grow, with new flavours and variations constantly coming to light. Whilst the inventor of bubble tea may remain a subject of debate, this beverage has transformed from a small tea stand creation to a cultural phenomenon across the globe. About the Author Jasmine has lived in the UK her whole life but has been brought up in an Indian household. She can also speak Mandarin at around B2 level and this year she is learning French alongside her degree. As an engineer, she is hoping to use her passion for languages and diverse cultures to travel the globe and work on a range of different projects! "El silencio de otros": 45 years of the Amnesty Law in Spain Aidan Cross The Bubbling History of Boba Jasmine Johal 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: Jasmine Johal Bubble Tea Tea Culture History Current Affairs Categories: Global Affairs Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

My Journey with Language Learning Holly Cromwell Tuesday, 13 February 2024 An exploration of my journey through language learning and my changing relationship with language through the school system. Languages have always been something I find interesting; my dad is an interpreter, so I learned fingerspelling and basic signs from him while in primary school. But when it came to actually learning a language, I didn’t know anything. I couldn’t communicate, and no one would ask me to, but I could show off a few words and signs to impress if needed. To me, that seemed to be all that language was. It was then that I started to be asked to make choices about my studies and what I might like to do with my future. (Because we definitely all have future plans at that age.) I started simple by taking GCSE Latin entirely on the back of the Percy Jackson series, followed by GCSE and A-Level French, since I’d been learning it for years and should therefore be vaguely good at it. It was then that I started to feel some resistance. Language skills suddenly went from being a cute trick to a concern. I was intelligent, sure, but I had many doubts about my degree options. Could I get a good enough French grade to study it at university? Was English Language academic enough? Could studying English Literature ruin leisurely reading for me? I eventually settled on a university degree here at Nottingham that effectively let me continue all three of my A-levels. Starting university was a struggle, especially telling people you study languages. I wasn’t the polyglot people expected, and I was uncomfortable being asked to ‘perform’ French on a whim. I also found it difficult to maintain regular French work. This had an inevitable effect on my self-confidence. Was I even good enough to be here? During second year, I spent more time on language but I failed to be the model language student. I learnt vocab variably and didn’t revise it. I crammed grammar into my head and motionlessly watched as last week’s attempt fell out the other ear. My grades also varied a lot regardless of how much work was put in. What did this mean? Language was both a strength and insecurity to me. I crashed into my exam with barely any revision, engine running on empty and papering over the cracks of the most maliciously organised exam season of my life. And I passed. The biggest thing I learnt that year is the bar is so much lower than you think. The problem with studying languages is that you already speak one. With any other subject you learn, you think you’re doing great, then you learn what you don’t know and repeat. With a second language you always know what you could have said if only… It’s brutal, especially when it’s the same things your teacher pulled you up on at GCSE. Sorry Miss, I’m swear I am trying, but agreements and genders are just the worst. It's on this note that I went into my year abroad. I have never been so exhausted in my life. The sheer fatigue of having to think about every word you say, every sign you see, anything anyone says, cannot be understated. But you learn. I didn’t feel like I got any better at French, but I got less tired. Before I went to France, the year abroad looked like this miracle that would magically make me fluent, but it became very clear to me that that wasn’t what was happening. People kept telling me how good my French was. It seemed like a very hollow compliment. Then my parents came to visit, and I was forced to see what the average English person’s level of French was. It turns out I’m actually pretty good! And that’s no longer subjective! I am at least B2 standard. Speaking a second language almost always feels awkward, and unwieldy, unless you are constantly required to use it with native speakers for years on end. I saw the extent of this at the end of my year abroad, when my supervising teacher asked me to proofread my glowing evaluation and shyly asked whether her English accent was any good. I was stunned. She’s a professional, and her English was perfect.. And yet, she felt the need to ask. So I know I can speak French, but it’s now my final year, and I’m faced with the idea that I will soon be asked to walk into a room and say “I speak French” with the full knowledge of every error I’ve ever made playing in front of my eyes. My journey with language learning will never really end. 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! International Film at the Oscars Holly Cromwell Words of the Year 2023 Charlie Bodsworth The Language Taking Over the World: English as a Lingua Franca Emma Burnett Copyright free images via Unsplash . For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: language learning opinion education university Holly Cromwell Categories: Language Tips Language and Linguistics 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

How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionising the Tourism Experience Jasmine Johal Friday, 9 February 2024 Discover how AI is reshaping the world of travel, offering personalized recommendations, optimized route planning, and enhanced customer service. From predictive pricing to language translation apps, AI is breaking down barriers, fostering cultural sensitivity, and ensuring smart luggage solutions for a safer and more enjoyable journey. Travelling allows us to explore new cultures, landscapes and experiences, but crafting the perfect trip can be overwhelming. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has stepped in to revolutionise every aspect of travel and significantly enhance the overall experience. Personalised Travel Experiences As travellers, we desire recommendations specifically tailored to our preferences. AI algorithms can be very helpful with this, by suggesting destinations based on past travel, recommending activities aligned with individual interests or providing personalised accommodation options. AI is becoming increasingly better at curating unique itineraries, which reflect personal preferences and steer us away from the conventional one-size-fits-all approach. Optimised Route Planning AI has also allowed us to evolve from using static maps, to a customised route based on real-time data, traffic conditions and weather forecasts. Navigation apps powered by AI algorithms can suggest the most efficient and sustainable routes, helping travellers avoid unexpected delays, saving time and allowing for a more stress-free journey. Enhanced Customer Service AI has transformed customer service with the introduction of chatbots and virtual assistants which are available 24/7, irrespective of time zones. Travellers can use these virtual companions to get real-time information on flights, accommodation and local attractions. Moreover, common enquiries can be answered, making the overall travel experience easier and more efficient. Predictive Analytics for Pricing AI algorithms are being used to predict peak travel times, helping airlines and hotels to adjust prices. This not only helps businesses to maximise profit, but also allows travellers to find cost-effective travel dates, making travel more affordable and accessible for everyone. Language Translation Apps Language barriers used to be significant hurdles, impeding communication across different cultures and borders. However, the advent of language translation apps has successfully overcome this challenge. Powered by sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, these apps can easily be used to translate both text and speech, enabling vital tasks when travelling, such as ordering food and seeking directions. Cultural Sensitivity and Local Etiquette AI applications are also being developed to reduce culture shock. Informing tourists about local customs and etiquette establishes guidelines to adhere to regarding appropriate behaviour, dress codes and communication styles. This creates a smoother travel experience, and decreases the likelihood of unintentionally causing offence through cultural misunderstandings. Smart Luggage and Security AI has extended its influence to enhance the security and convenience of travel through smart luggage solutions. Luggage equipped with AI-powered features, such as GPS tracking and automated locking systems, improves peace of mind for both security and travellers. AI is also being employed at airports to monitor passenger behaviour and potential security risks, leading to a safer travel environment. AI has allowed us to explore new cultures without language barriers, navigate unknown cities with ease and find optimal journeys aligned for everyone. As AI continues to evolve, the future of travel promises to be even more personalised, efficient and accessible. About the Author Jasmine has lived in the UK her whole life but has been brought up in an Indian household. She can also speak Mandarin at around B2 level and this year she is learning French alongside her degree. As an engineer, she is hoping to use her passion for languages and diverse cultures to travel the globe and work on a range of different projects! How to Navigate the Navigo: A Guide to Paris Transport Charlie Bodsworth Beyond Creatures: Unveiling Pokémon’s Multicultural Universe Jasmine Johal How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionising the Tourism Experience 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: Jasmine Johal Artificial Intelligence Tourism Experience Technology Travel 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

Year Abroad Tales: A glimpse into Corrientes, Argentina through journal entries Evie Dowding Tuesday, 10 December 2024 Throughout my year abroad in France and Argentina I used journaling as a way of recording my thoughts and experiences. I am grateful I did this as now, when I read these entries back, I am able to connect with that time again. Rather than turn them into a traditional article I decided to exhibit some of my favourite memories just as they are: a jumble of scenes, observations and human connections. 6th April 2024 Perched on our bed in the city of Corrientes, capital of the province of Corrientes, North-East Argentina, witnessing our first sub-tropical storm. The rain started around 45 minutes ago, and already streams of water are flowing down either side of the road, taking any loose drabs or leaves with them. The air is sticky and humid, the thunder sudden and booming, and the smell earthy and pungent. It's definitely the perfect night to stay in and recover from our 24 hours of travel, but will we make it out tomorrow? Who knows? All I can say is that I’m certainly glad we went to the supermarket earlier… 3rd May 2024 We have a sort of Mother here now, María Cecilia Sanchez, a french teacher at the institute who randomly invited us over for lunch with her ex husband Juan Carlos, son Juan José (JuanJo for short) and his girlfriend Sofia. Cecilia and JuanJo live in the small but charming apartment with two cats. Cecilia prepared us a feast, shouting “Evie!”, “Arthur!” every five minutes, to come and see what she was preparing, while JuanJo and Sofia offered us ‘fernet and cola’, a popular combo in Argentina but perhaps not for me. We started with surubí, a river catfish, prepared milanesa style with a squirt of lemon and cassava fries. It was to die for. With no plates we all dug in, and it was clarified to me that it's not the custom here to wait for everyone to start eating. For main we had a wooden, ginormous bowl of Mbaipu, a stew of polenta, melted cheese, chicken and sweet potato. It was hearty, delicious and I finished the whole bowl. For dessert,Dulce de Mamón,a small citrus fruit cooked in sugar for many hours. The family were kind, and we spoke a mix of Spanish, French and English. Cecilia loved talking about her trip around France and to London. She snorted loudly when she laughed, mocked our spanish sounding gracias and wanted to lend me all of her books to take home. 15th May 2024 So what's the city of Corrientes really like? It’s in the middle of nowhere and you’ve probably never heard it, why would you? The humidity is tortuous in the summer months, with tropical storms bringing the only relief, but their own set of problems like flooding. The streets are lined with palm trees, lapachos and citrus trees, and it’s divided into blocks. If we want to go into the centre or to the coast we walk from our street to the dual carriageway, 5 de Abril. It’s strange how a motorway is also another street, lined with shops and cafes on each side. Yet there's no kind of pedestrian crossing. If we make it to the other side we can pick a street name: San Juan, La Rioja, Salta, Buenos Aires, Tucuman or San Luis. These streets will all take us to some part of the centre, and if we keep going, the coast. As someone with pitiful navigational skills, I do enjoy the simplicity of it. One must always be alert as they navigate the pavement. For it can change in an instant from colonial tiling to rubble and mud. The city centre hosts a shopping strip of cheap wholesale stores where you can find anything and everything. There are also friendly men with fruit carts swarmed by flies every four to five blocks. Between six and ten at night this area is animated by families, teenagers and couples, a thermos tucked under one arm and maté in the other. The coast is beautiful, the Paraná puts any kind of English river to shame. It is vast, always flowing and it glistens later on in the day. When the sun has set here but not yet in Chaco on the other side, the horizon is blood red and apocalyptic. We often see this when we visit Cumba Cua park on a sunday night, drawn out like other citizens by the artisan fair. Catholicism is everywhere you look, and from what I’ve gathered the people here are generally quite conservative. A lovely couple we stayed with in a village called Goya seemed surprised that we followed no religion. What gives this culture its charm is this mixture of catholic belief with customs and language from Gaurani. This is the indigenous group that lived in these lands before Jesuit Missionaries arrived. They lived off the paraná, eating mainly fish and land mammals. They grew corn, sweet potato, mandioca, and of course drank maté. While catholicism eventually prevailed over the Guarani religion, many wives tales and remedies are still used. For instance, if you’re suffering in the heat, put a towel over your head with a glass of water balanced on top. Or if you want good weather make a cross from flour in the corner of your house. 30th May 2024 - I trip to Caá Catí After regretfully shutting the dogs out, we took the time to recharge our social batteries until 10:30pm came. By this time the air was chilly and we walked out to find a group of students huddled inside the grilling area, while Mickey (the teacher’s husband) had a ton of chorizo sausages on the go. We sat on wooden chairs, making space as more and more people shuffled into the tiny area. A student called Jonatán had brought his guitar, and began to play ‘Can’t help falling in love with you’ by Elvis, then some local chamame songs in Spanish. The sausages were ready, bread was cut, lemon squeezed and mayo drizzled, not to mention copious amounts of beer and coca cola served in a welcoming chaos. Our first ever choripan was divine, and we ate three or four, but the asadador (barbecuer) was modest and shrugged our praise off with a smile. As the evening went on we all chatted and laughed while Pancho and his gang (the collective dogs of the village) shuffled around with their puppy dog eyes receiving strokes and bits of meat if they were lucky. Latin American hospitality is truly beyond comparison. 16th June 2024 Cecilia invited us to have Merienda with her on El Dia de la Cruz de Los Milagros (The Day of The Miracle Cross), a religious holiday in Corrientes. Then when the day came she offered us to come for lunch instead, she was making milanesas again, and I couldn’t say no. When we arrived it was just Cecilia. And she was excited like last time as she showed us what she was cooking while we set the table. It was Beef Milanesa, Mash, Salad and a special rice grown in the region. We discussed our weeks and future plans, then she insisted we do our washing there and gave me a special cream for my dry skin (that I later realised she’d bought especially). Then we set off for our walk and Cecilia explained the meaning behind the celebration. It goes something like this… On the banks of the Paraná river the Guarani people were defending their land from the Spanish. They started a great fire to stop them from coming ashore, and amidst the fire stood a cross placed by Jesuits. Astonishingly the wooden cross did not burn, and this was seen as a sign of peace and reconciliation between the groups. The church was packed with citizens of all ages who watched as towns and villages from the surrounding area brought idols of the Virgin Mary carried upon their shoulders. Cecilia had no hesitation in barging in and out of everyone as she led us to the front of the church so we could get a photo in front of the cross. I couldn’t help but get the giggles. She bought us a magnet each as a souvenir, before we went out to watch the procession in full swing. Scouts and other local groups formed hands to form a barrier, while we watched and clapped at the numerous idols and shouted “Arriba!”. Finally, they brought the famous cross and everyone joined the back of the procession which would go through the rest of the city. The question in our minds was ‘where is Cecilia taking us now?’ as we made our way through side streets until stopping outside a tiny local bakery. She bought a gigantic bag of chipás (a local cheesy bread) and we ended the day with a merienda (afternoon snack) of chipás and local tea, before Cecilia packed us a bag of tea bags and rice to take home. All we could think as we walked home, bellies full of cheesy bread, that for a woman that was not particularly well-off, Cecilia gave anything she could, and so much kindness to two foreigners she hardly knew. We would soon realise that this was not a one-off in Corrientes. 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!" Images courtesy of 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: argentina Year Abroad 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

A Journey Into British Sign Language Eleanor Spence Tuesday, 5 November 2024 Have you ever heard of British Sign Language (BSL), or thought about just how many people use the language across the UK? This article aims to shed light on the history and basics of this language. What is BSL? BSL hasn’t always been considered its own language, and it was only recognised by the UK Government as an official minority language in 2003! Sign language is a visual means of communication using gestures, facial expressions, and body language, and is used predominantly by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Within Britain, the most commonly used form of sign language is called British Sign Language (BSL). BSL has its own grammatical structure and syntax, as well as not being dependent or strongly related to spoken English. BSL is the preferred language of over 145,000 people within the UK! There is a false impression that sign language is the same worldwide, however, this is far from the truth! There are national variations in sign language such as American Sign Language (ASL), and Japanese Sign Language (JSL), as well as regional variations of the language too. Today, there are more than 300 different sign languages in the world, used by more than 72 million deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals worldwide. Things to be aware of when communicating with deaf individuals When communicating with someone who’s deaf or hard of hearing, it is important to be able to communicate in a clear and considerate manner that supports their understanding. Here are a few tricks to help: It’s important to have someone’s attention before you start communicating with them, even though it may be hard for the individual to know that you’re trying to get their attention sometimes. Communicate with the individual directly and hold clear eye contact. Speak at a normal speed and volume, using regular lip patterns. If necessary, don’t feel afraid to use written notes/diagrams, as well as specific gestures or expressions to get your point across. Make sure that the room is well-lit so that the individual can see your face and gestures clearly. Keep checking to make sure that the individual understands you. Basic greetings in BSL Typically, BSL users will be very appreciative of anyone attempting to use sign language so here are a few basic signs which will help you initiate conversation: Hello/ Goodbye Wave your hand like greeting someone in English. Make sure to mouth ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’ so the person is aware of how you are greeting them. How are you? Place both palms flat on you chest, and move them upwards and then forwards into a thumbs up position. Sorry Make a fist with your right hand in the centre of your chest, then move it in a circular motion on your chest while mouthing ‘sorry’. Thank you/Please When signing thank you or please in BSL, the same hand gesture is used and only the lip pattern of the word you are saying changes. Position your right hand with its fingertips on your chin and then move your hand slightly away from your face. Why is any of this important? Having a greater understanding of the language and culture of BSL is incredibly important because as a community, BSL users can often feel isolated and disconnected. BSL is the first language of many individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and it is important to be aware of this when communicating with them. Often, individuals will speak and understand spoken English (as a second language), but that doesn’t mean that they are fluent or comfortable speaking the language. Furthermore, if you are communicating with a BSL user using spoken English, keep in mind that they will have to lip-read your responses (which isn’t as easy as one may assume), so be patient and ready to repeat if necessary. Overall, BSL is an important language to help connect individuals who are hard of hearing together, as well as with wider communities. We must continue to work on improving our inclusivity for deaf individuals so that they and their language are fully appreciated. I hope that this short article has helped you discover more about British Sign Language and that you might be able to use a few greeting signs the next time you meet someone who uses BSL. More information If you’re interested in learning more about British Sign Language, I would recommend joining a class! Alternatively, there are lots of online resources too. BBC Three’s video: Things Not To Say To A Deaf person ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SarMSwv_aHI ) British Sign Language Directory ( https://www.signbsl.com ) British Sign Language Site ( https://www.british-sign.co.uk ) Royal Association for Deaf People ( https://royaldeaf.org.uk ) About the Author I was so intrigued when I heard about lingo magazine! I’m obsessed with languages and this just felt like the perfect place to explore and share ideas. Images courtesy of Eleanor Spence 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: BSL Sign Language Language Language Learning 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

Modern Languages and Cultures < Back Evie Dowding 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!" Latest Articles by this Author Year Abroad Tales: A glimpse into Corrientes, Argentina through journal entries 10/12/24 Shopping sustainably? Here are the best vintage, second-hand and preloved shops in Nottingham 23/09/24