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How to ace being a solo female traveller Chloe Brewster Thursday, 27 October 2022 Chloe, a French finalist, describes the advantages of travelling solo during the year abroad and how to do so successfully! Usually when we think of holidays abroad, we visualise being surrounded by friends, family, or partners, which corresponds to the social norms of travel. But what about travelling solo , particularly for women ? The world is sometimes seen as a ‘dangerous’ place for a woman, more so if she is alone, but there is something empowering and exciting about embracing yourself and evolving into a self-assured solo female traveller. And why not discover this side of yourself during your year abroad? The background Prior to my study placement in France last year, I had only embarked on a handful of solo day trips (who hasn’t treated themselves to a cosy afternoon in a chilled coffee shop?), so I threw myself somewhat blindly in the phenomenon of solo travel. My first big ‘trip’ took place during a freezing February weekend to Munich, which was just over five hours away by coach. I braved a rather long coach journey to the Bavarian capital which was perhaps not the most comfortable mode of transport, yet it only cost £15 per way from my departure point (Strasbourg). A win-win and proves that you can be both a brave and a savvy solo traveller! Since those exhilarating and magical forty-eight hours in Munich earlier this year, I have embraced my inner traveller and travelled solo several times for the sheer enjoyment of it. Is it always easy? Not at all, and it wouldn’t be fair to gloss over the difficult moments that you may experience once in a while (top tip – always bring a phone charger so that you never risk being cut off from Google Maps!). But it is those challenges and hurdles which strengthen and make you into the dynamic person that you are destined to be. Marienplatz, Munich (Germany). With some hard-fought wisdom and perspective, here are some top tips for successfully acing solo female travel: Be organised You have probably gritted your teeth many times when your head of year has implored everyone to be ‘organised’ and keep track of things, but I really can’t stress this point enough. Your future travelling self will be grateful if you make some plans in advance. For example, download maps of the key places that you will be visiting during your trip, such as the train/bus station or airport in case you lose internet access. Don’t panic if you can’t find the bus station twenty minutes before the final one leaves like I once did in Munich – being prepared will hopefully keep you cool (albeit not in a scorching Parisian heatwave!) come what may. The same also applies for accommodation (Airbnb, hotel, hostel) – prepare all documentation and check-in beforehand if necessary. Unlike in the UK, proof of ID is generally mandatory in European countries, so keep your passport/visa with you to check-in with ease (and in case you are stopped for proof of identity which can happen). Of course, the trip should be about having fun but sorting out the basics makes a difference so you can enjoy yourself without worry. Stay safe An obvious, yet undeniably important element of solo travel is ensuring your safety. Perhaps this factor is the most influential in discouraging more young women from travelling independently, but it needn’t be a barrier. Websites such as the Solo Female Travellers Club and numerous social media groups aimed at female travellers are really helpful for advice and support in planning and going about your travels. Certain countries are regarded as ‘safer’ for female travellers so it may boost your confidence if you visit those places first before adventuring further afield. So do your research but aware stereotypes and don’t automatically dismiss places which are deemed ‘dangerous.’ During my solo travels, I made sure to message a friend or family member every so often (usually to send some of the many pictures I had taken during my museum or cultural visits!) and carried an alarm just in case anything happened. These small measures can be very reassuring and are often part and parcel of women’s daily lives, whether we are going out with friends or travelling abroad. Musée des Beaux-Arts (Dijon) Meet other people! When you are travelling solo, there is no right or wrong way to do it. You should simply pursue the activities that interest you the most - otherwise, why go travelling?. But of course, the experience is even more enriching when you can meet and speak to other people which truly transforms you into a global citizen. For example, the below picture of myself in the Musée d’Orsay was taken by a fellow solo female traveller who I then pictured because, despite our linguistic and cultural differences, we shared a common aspiration: travelling and immersing ourselves in foreign cultures (and fabulous art!). It is those unexpected encounters which are usually the most poignant during a solo trip abroad because you probably wouldn’t meet these people – especially those who are alone – if you were travelling in a group, and so being a solo traveller broadens your perspective of the people surrounding you. If you are really keen to make friends during your trip, go on guided walking tours of cities or stay in a hostel (many have female-only dorms). After meeting a fellow Erasmus student in a tour of Munich, I subsequently visited a majestic palace with her and treasure those memories. Hostels can be hit-or-miss but you definitely have more opportunities to socialise and encounter fellow solo travellers than if you stay in accommodation alone. In my artistic element at the Musée d’Orsay (and gratefully escaping the 35c heatwave!) You do you! What often holds back young women from travelling alone is the fear of being stigmatised or judged for being ‘lonely’ and ‘friendless.’ Indeed, there have been awkward moments when I have asked for a ‘table for one’ in certain eateries, and yes the world really does need to evolve into being a more hospitable place for solo people, especially women. But don’t wait until that happens – go out there, do what you want, explore for as many hours as your feet can tolerate, eat your heart out in a restaurant even when surrounded by couples or groups. It takes a certain strength and audacity to be your authentic self , and you will discover more about yourself by taking the plunge and travelling. And who knows, your friends may want to follow suit, too! 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...). 24 Hours as an English Student in Paris: A Survival Guide Kit Sinclair Saving your centimes: How to do Paris on a Budget Francesca Wren YEAR ABROAD TALES: A Reflection on Being LGBTQIA Abroad Grace Whitaker 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 Solo Travel Abroad Germany France Categories: Travel Tips 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! LOAD MORE

Words of the Year 2023 Charlie Bodsworth Sunday, 31 December 2023 Love a bit of lexical fun? Let's take a look at the major dictionaries' choices for Word of the Year 2023. In December, the most well-known English dictionaries published what they consider to be their ‘Word of the Year’ (WOTY). These words are typically those which have either come into existence or gained new meaning within the given year. We’re going to take a whistle-stop tour of this year’s chosen words and what this might say about the year 2023! Oxford WOTY: Rizz ( https://languages.oup.com/word-of-the-year/ ) First up is the Word of the Year that is most talked about: Oxford’s. A shortening of the word “charisma”, this word rose to popularity thanks to a Tom Holland interview in June where he said he had “no rizz whatsoever” when asked about his dating life. What’s unique about the word “rizz” is that it comes from the middle of “charisma”, whereas almost all other shortenings derive from the start or end of a word, such as “carb” from “carbohydrate” or “toon” from “cartoon”. Oxford discussed how this year has seen a rise in people’s concern with their social and professional rapport, possibly connected to the re-entry into regular life post-lockdown. All of this makes “rizz” an interesting reflection and exploration of our desire for self-confidence and human connection. Cambridge WOTY: Hallucinate ( https://dictionary.cambridge.org/editorial/woty ) With the rise in AI usage, especially generative AI like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, “hallucinate” has taken on a new meaning this year. For AI, to “hallucinate” is for it to produce false information and present it as factual. While other words have also gained new AI-related meanings, “hallucinate” has a particularly strong resonance as a reminder to take caution when using AI tools, as an AI tool will present both true and false information in the same confident manner. There has been a lot of talk online about AI usage in the year 2023. As such, “hallucinate” is a good choice for Word of the Year. It constitutes a marker of the current state of AI, where it is powerful yet not fully realised, and will therefore still produce some inaccurate or irrelevant information. Merriam-Webster WOTY: Authentic ( https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/word-of-the-year ) While Cambridge’s choice has focused on misinformation, Merriam-Webster’s focuses on the search for realness. “Authentic” has gained relevance in 2023 both for its meaning as “real and actual” against the false information often produced by social media and AI, as well as in relation to meaning “true to one’s own personality”, with this year seeing an increase in popularity of celebrities whose branding and influence revolves around being “authentic”, such as Taylor Swift or Sam Smith. Collins WOTY: AI ( https://www.collinsdictionary.com/woty ) Collins has also decided to turn their attention this year towards the rise of AI and its significance in many areas of our lives. Their explanations of this choice highlight some of the hot topics and questions raised by the new role that AI has taken on in digital culture and daily life. Dictionary.com WOTY: Hallucinate ( https://content.dictionary.com/word-of-the-year-2023/ ) The last of the major dictionaries to publish their choice for Word of the Year, Dictionary.com appears to be in the same boat as Cambridge by focusing not on “an aspect of how AI functions but to one of the ways it can malfunction”. Again, as AI is increasingly talked about and commonly used, it’s important to be reminded that this technology is still in its earlier stages. Lingo What's our WOTY? While we’re not a dictionary ourselves, we thought it would be fun to see what our readers thought was the real winner and 2023 WOTY. We took to Instagram and asked our followers to choose from the above winners their favourite Word of the Year. With 63% of the poll votes, our winner was “rizz”! Clearly you’re all a pretty charismatic bunch! So, there you have it! This year has given way to lots of discussion around the place of technology in society, as well as our own social identities. Now keep your eyes peeled over the next year for new words, how they’re used, and the power they carry. About the Author A nerd in every sense, Charlie was our 2023-24 Language and Linguistics editor. She completed a BA in Modern Languages with Translation Studies, including a year spent in Paris, and is soon to complete her MA in Translation Studies. She speaks French and has just started learning Japanese! In her spare time, she plays video games, watches movies, and spends plenty of time with her two gerbils. Words of the Year 2023 Charlie Bodsworth The Language Taking Over the World: English as a Lingua Franca Emma Burnett My Journey with Language Learning 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: language words dictionaries Charlie Bodsworth Categories: Language and Linguistics Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! 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“Mother of God, banish Putin”: A Reflection on Pussy Riot’s performance in Nottingham Jess Henrys Friday, 10 February 2023 Welfare Sec Jess reflects on last month's powerful performance by Russian pop-punk protest group Pussy Riot. Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 10/11/22. The screen shows a young boy with a sign in his hands: “Let Moms Go”. For many, 2012 seems a lifetime ago, but the last ten years are as vivid as ever for Maria “Masha” Alyokhina, a founding member of Russian pop-punk protest group, Pussy Riot . At Nottingham Rescue Rooms on Thursday 10 November, the group forwent the traditional “concert” in favour of a performance-poetry experience, titled Riot Days . Over the course of an hour, Masha, along with her compatriots Taso Pletner, Olga Borisova and Diana Burkot, deliver bruising political commentary set to a cacophony of techno-punk in a harrowing memoir of the events surrounding her arrest for her part in the band’s “Punk Prayer” in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral in 2012. A short but spitting criticism of then-Prime Minister (now President) Vladimir Putin and troubling support for him from the Russian Orthodox Church was instead condemned as "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred". Alyokhina and two of her fellow bandmates were disproportionately sentenced to two-years imprisonment in a penal colony; a move described by the now-imprisoned opposition leader, Aleksei Navalny, as “Putin's personal revenge”. The girls were released shortly before the end of their sentence in what is believed to have been an act of propaganda to paint Putin in a generous light prior to the Sochi Winter Olympics. However, in the nine years since, Masha has been less than free. Fiercely engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with the Russian authorities and refusing to dim her rebellious spark in favour of liberty, Alyokhina has been detained, assaulted, detained again, placed under house arrest, sentenced multiple times to 15 days in jail, placed on parole, arrested, re-arrested, and finally sentenced yet again to time in a penal colony for protesting “Putin’s Russia”. Finally, in April 2022, with the help of friends at home and abroad, she crossed the border out of the country and fled. This November, she was in Nottingham. (Maria “Masha” Alyokhina recalls the “Punk Prayer” in Moscow Cathedral. Subtitles on the screen read: Virgin Mary, Mother of God, banish Putin! Banish Putin, banish Putin!). The famous words of the “Punk Prayer” – “ Virgin Mary, Mother of God, banish Putin!” – appear on the screen. The girls scream their Russian equivalent into the microphone, their faces stony and haunted. Other refrains, some serious, some sarcastic – “Putin will teach you to love the Motherland” , “We’re Not Doing Things Right” and “Anyone can be Pussy Riot” – are repeated viciously with mesmerising effect. Far from giving up on her motherland, Alyokhina’s flight from Russia has given her an outside opportunity to save it. She criticises not her country, her home, but Putin’s poisonous politics, and dreams of the day that Russia will be freed from his clutches. Kate Hutchinson for The Observer called it “engaging” and “experimental”. More than that, the performance is unexpected, unafraid, and utterly unignorable. Even when the performers begin to throw bottle after bottle of water on the front rows, the crowd is transfixed. Alyokhina’s vulnerability is not only confession and criticism, but a call to arms. Her impassioned condemnation of the invasion (or so-called “special military operation”) in Ukraine is followed by a call for the end of indifference, and an opportunity to financially support a Ukrainian children’s hospital. No matter what happens next – whether Masha remains abroad or risks a return to Russia – this performance leaves no doubt that, whether in chains or on stage, this is a woman who, by her own fierce independence and her refusal to resign her moral code, is free. Her last words, “ Are you?” , pose a challenge to us all. For Alyokhina and her band mates, these are the Riot Days . In the face of instability, injustice and invasion, ignorance is inexcusable. About the Author During her year abroad, Jess spent a semester in St Petersburg, Russia. According to Jess, when she first arrived, she barely knew a word in Russian and felt completely overwhelmed, but the city soon revealed its delights to her, and it became a home. She hopes that by sharing some of my Russian experiences, other travellers to the city can be comforted, and learn to love it as much as she did. Jess also jetted off to the French capital so she certainly had an incredible year abroad! Jess also has experience of being a Peer Mentor and is very knowledgeable about the university’s Support Services. She’s got a lot of enthusiasm to bring to this role! Jess was one third of our 2022/23 Welfare Team. Hungry in St Petersburg? My Top 5 Restaurants for Visitors Jess Henrys European Music Festivals to Attend This Summer Niamh Woodhouse French Connection: An Interview with a True Parisian Part 1/2 : The City of Lights Jess Henrys Images provided by Jess Henrys. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Jess Henrys Russia Music Politics Ukraine Protest 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! LOAD MORE

5 podcasts to help you improve your French Niamh Woodhouse Tuesday, 15 February 2022 Looking for easy ways to improve your French and expand your vocab? Niamh, a French third year, shares with us her favourite podcasts that help her improve her French language skills. Podcasts are an easy, accessible way to learn, even when you're hands aren't free. They cover a wide range of topics from fashion and food to comedy and news, and lucky for us language learners, there are also plenty of podcasts created with the aim of helping listeners improve their French. Below are some of my top picks to pick up vocab, listen to new voices and learn to speak like a local. News in slow French This podcast is exactly what it says on the tin – news stories read slowly for language learners. As the headlines are read slower than you would hear on TV or radio, listeners can hear every word distinctly and therefore easily pick up new vocabulary and understand the context of the podcast. With each episode being split into several sections, featuring different news stories, conversations between the hosts and some grammar points, it is perfect for French learners, both beginner and intermediate. One thing in a French day I love this podcast as it is similar to a vlog and lets you into the daily life of a French person. Laetitia, the host, posts short entries three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and as they are never more than five minutes, you don’t need to dedicate a lot of time to listen to them. It is perfect for a quick but helpful dose of French! The podcast gives insight into French culture, history, and society so you also learn about the context of the language you are learning. As well as this it is deliberately spoken softly and clearly with the intention of being for language learners. I definitely recommend listening in to this ‘small slice of a Frenchwoman’s day’. Français authentique This podcast is great for advanced learners and is a realistic, authentic representation of how real native French people speak. The host, Johan, is honest in his teaching, telling listeners that although they’ll be able to speak like a local, this doesn’t really matter! Even though the topics and vocabulary may be too much for beginners, it is excellent for learning pronunciation and cadence from real French speakers. They even provide transcripts of episodes on their website! Horoscope - Tendance Ouest Of course, as well as podcasts targeted towards learners of the language, there are also podcasts made for the native French speaker! This option is for a more advanced speaker of French rather than a beginner as the conversations will be faster and vocabulary more complicated - but take this as a challenge and opportunity to pick up new words and phrases! A popular genre of podcast across all languages are horoscopes and this is no exception for French. My horoscope of choice is Horoscope by Tendance Ouest, hosted by Camille and posted every day. Typically around a minute and a half, I find it the perfect way to start my day with a quick dose of French! L'heure du crime Another widely listened-to type of podcast is true crime and mystery. L’heure du Crime (Crime Hour) is a top-rated French podcast that discusses a different criminal case each episode. Although it is not as tailored as other podcasts as it is made up of excerpts from a radio show, it is still interesting to hear the tales of crimes and unsolved cases. Again, L’heure du Crime is more for the advanced French speaker, as it is more intensive and not aimed at language learners. However, it is great if you have a good level of French and an interest in true crime. As there are often interviews on the podcast, you can get exposure to a range of different accents from across the French-speaking world. About the Author Niamh was the founder of Lingo Magazine, was Editor-in-Chief for 2022/23, and is now a Lingo alumni. Speaking French and Spanish, she has a particular interest in articles about history, culture and travel! Whilst studying in Cadiz, Niamh met other language students from universities across the UK and soon discovered that many of them write for language magazines at their universities. Seeing this gap in the market for a language magazine, she set up the magazine alongside an amazing committee for her fellow and future language students at the University of Nottingham! The Problem with Pronouns Niamh Woodhouse 5 podcasts to help you improve your French Niamh Woodhouse The economic value to the UK of speaking other languages: realistic or idealistic? Rosie Loyd Copyright free images via Unsplash. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Niamh Woodhouse French Podcasts Language Learning Beginners Categories: Language Tips Language and Linguistics Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

English BA (Hons) < Back Rachel Lara Hoddes 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. Latest Articles by this Author Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Interrailing 14/07/24 What is Lingo Magazine? Let's ask ChatGPT... 10/07/24

Karneval: Germany's obsession with Native Americans Olivia Marshall Monday, 19 February 2024 In Germany, it's common for people to dress up as Native Americans at annual Karneval parades. Is it time to put a stop to this tradition? With the passing of Ash Wednesday, Germany’s “fifth season” has come to an end, marked by Karneval , also known as Fasching in Austria and southern Germany. Karneval is celebrated by dressing up and dancing through the streets. With parades, floats, and of course drinking, traditionally allowing Christians to enjoy themselves before the start of lent. One of the Germans’ favourite costumes has turned out to be Native American dress. Thousands can be seen wearing tunics and dresses, feather headdresses and face paint. Certain costumes are legally prohibited at Karneval : notably those with overly realistic weapons, such as pirate swords; police costumes which too closely resemble the uniform of the real German Polizei ; as well as anything related to the Nazis; but dressing as other cultures is deemed to be acceptable. Due to a long tradition of wearing Native American costumes, it seems a lot of Germans don’t consider this to be problematic: but it repeatedly catches the attention of the foreign public, who are often outraged at its acceptance in Germany. So where does the tradition come from? Germans’ fascination for Native American culture is based in the widespread popularity of German author Karl May’s late 19th century adventure books featuring Winnetou, an Apache chief, and subsequent films in the 20th century. The books were so popular that the Nazis didn’t ban them, despite non-white main characters. This interest lives on in Germany, resulting in this trend that is seemingly unaffected by any criticism that it receives. Whether or not these costumes are acceptable is widely discussed in German media and routinely causes backlash from non-Germans, yet they still seem to be a firm favourite for those of all ages. This year’s Karneval caused some contention on X (formally Twitter). User @sagdocheinfach shared a photo of her Native American costume, causing heated debate in the replies and quote tweets, with some claiming it to be cultural appropriation and racist, others considering it a way to promote and share Indigenous culture. Dressing up as other cultures can often be a tricky subject nowadays and is probably best avoided, so why are Germans sticking with this tradition? Many Germans are genuinely fascinated by Native American culture and think that dressing in this way is acceptable as they are celebrating the culture. It is not their intent to make a caricature out of or mock Native Americans and so, in their eyes, they are not causing any harm. There’re no significant Indigenous presence in Germany, so they lack contact with cultures like this and there is a lack of awareness and education meaning even well-educated people genuinely see no wrong in their costumes. A big problem with these costumes is that, it can feel as though they are treating this group of people as a plaything, as if they are mythical or only existed in the past. In addition, Native Americans don’t look one specific way or have one specific culture; there are hundreds of Indigenous tribes and the costumes worn can be seen to play to stereotypes. If Germans really are so interested in Native American culture, shouldn’t they perhaps invest their time in speaking up about issues these groups face rather than simply dressing up as them, or at the very least, buy authentic Native American-made clothing and jewellery rather than wearing stereotypical costumes? About the Author 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. Karneval: Germany's obsession with Native Americans Olivia Marshall Link to tweet: https://twitter.com/sagdocheinfach/status/1756258406732603787 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: Karneval Carnival Native Americans Germany Olivia Marshall Categories: Cultural Guide 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

English with Creative Writing < Back Bethan Beddow Bethan, an English with Creative Writing student, has a passion for writing, specifically writing about things close to her heart, such as underrated Welsh culture! Latest Articles by this Author Exploring the hidden treasures of Wales 15/12/22

What makes a language “easy” to learn? Aidan Cross Sunday, 26 February 2023 Does the thought of learning a new language sound too difficult? Here’s what to look for to make it “easier” when deciding what language to learn! Today, over 7000 languages are spoken across the world, and it is estimated that more than half of the world’s population speaks more than one . As English has become a global language, it is unsurprising that it is the most common second language to learn. However, for native English speakers, what makes a different language “easy” to learn? It is generally agreed that exposure, immersion, and practice are the most important factors in successfully learning a new language. Because of this, the availability of resources in that language is something to consider when deciding what language to learn. Are there films, TV shows, or YouTube videos that you can watch in that language; books that you can read; or music that you can listen to? For example, the “ Korean wave ” and how this growing interest in South Korean culture has made a variety of Korean content accessible to English speakers with the popularity of K-dramas such as “Squid Game” and K-pop groups such as BTS. Your motivation and dedication to learning a new language is also a critical factor in determining how “easy” it is to learn. Your cultural ties to a language, through your family, community, or religion, e.g. Arabic in Islam and Hebrew in Judaism, can therefore make a language “easier” to learn. This is because it has a real, practical use and place in your life as well as that you will already have an understanding of the culture behind the language. After all, learning a language is so much more than just learning the vocabulary and grammar, the cultural context is just as important. Furthermore, you will have the advantage of knowing native speakers to practice with and learn from within your family or community. However, you shouldn’t be disheartened if this isn’t the case, and you are choosing to learn a language for study or work, for travel, or just for fun; ultimately, it is your motivation and dedication to consistent practice that will determine how “easy” it is to learn. Nevertheless, it cannot be avoided that, linguistically, some languages will just be “easier” than others for native English speakers to learn, for example, languages that use the Latin alphabet, e.g. Indonesian, and not the Cyrillic alphabet, e.g. Mongolian, or their own script, e.g. Thai. Languages with similar origins and shared histories, predominately Indo-European languages, e.g. Hindi, as well as those from the branches of this language family, particularly the Romance languages, e.g. Spanish, and Germanic languages, e.g. German will also be “easier” to learn due to their similarity to English. A language’s similarity, or dissimilarity, to English can affect how “easy” it is to learn in a number of ways: Vocabulary, e.g. 29% of English vocabulary comes from French Grammar, e.g. there is no verb conjugation in Mandarin and no articles in Russian Pronunciation, e.g. tonal languages such as Yoruba or click consonants, like in Xhosa, as well as sounds that don’t exist in English, like the Portuguese “ão” So, what languages are generally considered the “easiest” for native English speakers to learn? Unsurprisingly, it’s the Romance and Germanic languages spoken by our European neighbours: Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, and Norwegian. About the Author Aidan is one of the founding members of Lingo Magazine and has a passion for languages – never studying less than three at once, hoping to become a polyglot! – as well as the histories and cultures of the peoples and places that use them. They are especially interested in translation and the connections between different languages and cultures across the world. They are looking forward to being Lingo's Treasurer this year and making the magazine and society as inclusive, informative, and interesting as possible. As for languages, Aidan is in their final year of Hispanic Studies & History at the University of Nottingham, studying Spanish and Portuguese, and in their free time also studies Korean - and has recently started learning Italian! Translation and the Untranslatable Aidan Cross 5 podcasts to help you improve your French Niamh Woodhouse The economic value to the UK of speaking other languages: realistic or idealistic? Rosie Loyd Copyright free images via Unsplash. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Aidan Cross Language Learning Korean Media English Categories: Language and Linguistics Analysis Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

Translation Studies < Back Charlie Bodsworth A nerd in every sense, Charlie was our 2023-24 Language and Linguistics editor. She completed a BA in Modern Languages with Translation Studies, including a year spent in Paris, and is soon to complete her MA in Translation Studies. She speaks French and has just started learning Japanese! In her spare time, she plays video games, watches movies, and spends plenty of time with her two gerbils. Latest Articles by this Author Interview with a Polyglot 10/06/24 Words of the Year 2023 31/12/23 Japanese: One Language, Three Writing Systems 12/04/24 'A Victory for Feminism': How France Made the Right to Abortion Part of its Constitution 05/04/24 The Wonderful World of Studio Ghibli 05/04/24

4AM Kru: The crew taking the underground jungle scene to a new level Byron Taylor Sunday, 15 September 2024 4AM Kru have burst onto the music scene with energy, providing 90s rooted new jungle, and before the release of their new album 'Incognito Rhythm' Byron takes a look into their inspirations, style of production and ambitions in such a competitive industry. 4AM KRU burst onto the scene in 2020 with an energy rarely seen in mainstream music. They are masters of disguise in their music, packing clever samples into fast beats, along with graceful breaks and electronic elements that warp and expand. Their creativity in production is a standout in the nu-jungle genre, each track bringing unpredictable elements and a unique ID. They were born in London, the birthplace of Jungle in the early 1990’s, a scene that reflected a rebel spirit. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act attempted to shut down young peoples’ energy and creativity as rave culture had always faced strong opposition due to the fear of violence and drugs, when people were just trying to have fun. Pirate radios and jungle music went hand in hand. 4AM KRU brings us a fresh, mind-bending version of jungle music reminiscent of this era. Their first track ‘King Konger’ has a rapid beat, warped sample vocals and expansive electronic breaks, heralding great things to come. ‘It’s Alright Baby’ is like a wicked jungle Christmas tune, with disconcerting samples and bells, not to mention the heavy bass and breakbeat. ‘London Girls’ is addictive, with a majestic sample, piano chords and beat that floats with ease, fading out at one point with a euphoric effect. Every beat glides beautifully, strange yet danceable. The KRU’s aesthetic is London inspired, cartoon like, and genuinely creative, with an astonishing level of detail on the cover of each single. The 4AM KRU rat is atop the shard in the cover art of their debut track , and perhaps Dalston Junction via The Moon gives us a clue of their high ambitions and potential. The ‘Good Time’ cover is a trippy take on Dali’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’ . It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into these illustrations. ‘High Time’ is their hit track, for a good reason. How they found ‘Gangsta Pat’, I don’t know; one of the finest gems of a sample I’ve seen in a while, reminiscent of MJ’s ‘The Lady in My Life’. ‘Stay Puffed’ is another great sample, injected with energy, synths and an infectious beat breathing new life into it with relentless breakbeats. They’re developing too. ‘Pianos Raining Down’ and ‘Ooh Boy’ are proof of further potential. The duo somehow bring a four-dimensional element to jungle music, playing with our expectations to twist samples, change up beats and provide luscious instrumentals throughout. 4AM Kru have already made waves: reinventing the jungle scene, and securing huge sets at the likes of Reading festival and Boardmasters recently. Their recent single ‘Ribena’, incidentally released the weekend before Notting Hill carnival. It has an 80s reggae sample of Papa Levi, bringing a party spirit and epitomising the celebration of summer. 4AM Kru's debut album 'Incognito Rhythm' was released on the 12th of September; it's even more fast-paced, sample heavy jungle to cap off summer of 2024. About the Author Writing has always been a way to express my creative interests to other people and share knowledge of lesser known culture, whether it be film or music. Lingo is a community that nurtures this aspect of life, helping students to enrich their understanding of the world and different perspectives on life, promoting creativity and celebrating culture. Throughout my articles I try to explore the cultural impact of media and richness of life, whether it be new cinema releases, 70s music or climbing. 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: Music Dance Underground Culture 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

Medicine < Back Samah Irshad Samah is a first year medic, who studied Spanish at A-level and absolutely loved it!! She decided to join Lingo because she wanted to continue with her language journey and learn more about other cultural interests! :)) Latest Articles by this Author Salamanca – home of the world's purest Spanish 04/04/23

Unveiling Hidden Connections: The Surprising Parallels Between Korean and Tamil Anika Jennifer Mariel Thursday, 25 July 2024 Unraveling the unexpected yet riveting connection between two seemingly unrelated languages. Korean is the national language of South Korea and North Korea. The language falls under the Koreanic family of languages, boasting over 80 million native speakers. Over the past few years, there has been a rapidly growing interest in the Korean language, largely due to the global boom in K-pop and Korean entertainment. On the other hand, Tamil is not only the native language of people from Tamilnadu, a southern state in India, but it is also an official language in countries like Sri Lanka and Singapore, with over 85 million native speakers. It belongs to the Dravidian family of languages, and it is widely regarded as one of the oldest living languages in the world. Although it may not seem like it, there is a whopping 5700 kilometers between Tamilnadu and the Korean Peninsula. So, how exactly are the two languages interconnected? While most attribute this link between the two languages to ancient trade, there is a fascinating folklore that may provide further explanation. This folklore dates all the way back to the 13th century, and follows an Indian princess hailing from the Ayuta Kingdom (a kingdom in ancient Tamilnadu), named Sembavalam (Korean name: Heo Hwang-Ok), who was crowned the very first queen of Geumgwan Gaya in Korea after marrying the Korean king, Kim Suro. Many believe that she may be the reason for the influence of the Tamil language and culture on Korea. As a native Tamil speaker and an ardent Korean language student, I can certainly vouch for the ease with which Tamil-speakers can pick up the Korean language. It may be daunting to take up a new language, especially when it has its own script, but from personal experience, I found that learning came quite easily to me. The more I heard the Korean language, the more it started sounding just like Tamil in my brain! Already being fluent in a language that is linguistically similar to Korean, I found that certain words and grammatical rules were nearly the same! Research has found that the two languages may have over 500 words in common! For example, the words for ‘mother’ and ‘father’ carry the same pronunciations in both languages: அம்மா, அப்பா (pronounced ‘amma’ and ‘appa’ respectively in Tamil) and 엄마, 아빠 (pronounced ‘eomma’ and ‘appa’ respectively in Korean). The word ‘I’ is நான் (pronounced ‘naan’) in Tamil and 나는 (pronounced ‘naaneun’) in Korean. The word ‘tooth’ is பல் (pronounced ‘pal’) in Tamil and 이빨 (pronounced ‘ippal’) in Korean. Additionally, words for ‘you’, ‘day’, ’grass’, and ‘climb’, also sound similar in the two languages! Unlike English, both Tamil and Korean follow the Subject-Object-Verb sentence structure. But it doesn’t end there! The Korean Peninsula also shares socio-cultural similarities with Tamilnadu. Both cultures emphasize the importance of family, literature, art, and more. Many games and traditional practices in Korea have Tamil counterparts that are equally as important in Tamilnadu. If you are a native Tamil speaker, I hope that this encourages you to learn Korean, and if you are a native Korean speaker, I hope that this encourages you to learn Tamil. Learning languages can be an incredibly enriching experience, as it not only enables you to interact with people across the world but it also opens the door to captivating historical heritage. Did you already know the similarities between Korean and Tamil? Let me know! About the Author I'm a passionate writer with a Journalism degree and a desire to spark discussions and explore perspectives on both light-hearted and significant topics. I'm set to start my Master's degree at the University of Nottingham soon. I've always been drawn to languages, and I'm a polyglot myself! I speak English, Tamil, Hindi, German, and Korean. If I'm not writing, I'm definitely playing video games, or watching my favorite show. As someone who loves the idea of languages and culture, Lingo is perfect because it helps you explore things that you wouldn't have even known to explore! It encompasses everything that I look for in a magazine, and I'm looking forward to contributing to it! Translation and the Untranslatable Aidan Cross Why am I forgetting my English? Charlie Bodsworth What makes a language “easy” to learn? Aidan Cross 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: Language Korean Tamil Linguistics Categories: Language and Linguistics Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! 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