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Why am I forgetting my English? Charlie Bodsworth Thursday, 21 April 2022 Ever wonder why you sometimes can’t recall words or have started wording things weirdly in English? So have I! And, don’t panic, you’re not forgetting your English. Let’s dive together into the lesser-known linguistic field of first language attrition and how this affects us as language learners. I wonder if any of you have had similar linguistic experiences to me recently: struggling to recall an English word, wording things a bit strangely, or even full-on dropping a phrase from your second language into your English! Sometimes these little interactions between our languages can catch us off guard - I often am left confused when I’m at a train station and my brain is only telling me that I need “voie deux” instead of “platform two”! Well, there’s no need to panic. There’s a fairly straightforward explanation for this. It is related to something called language attrition . Language attrition is a lesser-known and somewhat understudied area of linguistics that is concerned with decrease in language performance, whether first language (L1) or second language (L2). It can affect several layers of your L1, the main ones being your phonology, lexicon, and grammar. Let’s take a quick look at each of these categories. Phonology In simplified terms, this is our use and understanding of accents and groups of sounds within a language. When your L1 is attrited, you may start using some non-native-like pronunciation and may struggle to distinguish certain sounds and foreign accents. Lexicon There are many effects in this area as it is the most susceptible to attrition: a slow-down in recalling words, more pauses, repetitions, hesitations, self-corrections, and sometimes an impoverished lexical diversity. Grammar The grammar of your L2 can sometimes intrude on how you speak in your L1, especially in cases where the area of grammar is simpler or shorter in your L2. Similarly, though not strictly grammatical, there may also be times where you’ve picked up a useful turn of phrase in your L2 that has no equivalent in English, and upon finding yourself in a situation where you would use that phrase, you find yourself at a loss of what to say. So, this rather begs the question of why this all happens. On a small scale, when there are two words (or more!) for one meaning in your head, the one that is currently being used the most and deemed to be more important by your brain is the one that will come to you first. This is called activation. In my earlier example, the reason I often forget “platform” is because I’m in Paris train stations a lot nowadays. My brain uses and sees the word “voie” far more often than the word “platform”. So whenever I need to use the English word, it takes my brain longer to find it. On a more general scale, the cause is, unsurprisingly, a decrease in L1 use, which can certainly stem from increased use of your L2 (such as when you live abroad in a country that speaks your L2…sound familiar?). However, it is quite difficult to quantify how much each language is being used, so it’s difficult for researchers to actually chart this cause and effect. An alternative (and more quantifiable) hypothesis is that an increase in code-switching (which is the linguistic term for swapping languages in the middle of an utterance) can significantly contribute to the rate of L1 attrition. This is because it causes both languages to be activated at the same time, causing them to further intersect and interact in your brain. So, what is the takeaway from this? (Other than learning a nifty little bit of linguistics…) Personally, every time I experience these little moments of difficulty in English, I take it as a sign that my French has greatly improved over my year abroad and that I’m being truly immersed in the language! It can also be really cool to think about how your brain is dealing with having several languages at its disposal. Because it is true that your bilingual or polylingual brain is pretty cool! If you want a slightly more comprehensive overview of first language attrition, check out the short video below! References: ● Francis, N. (2005) ‘ Research Findings on Early First Language Attrition: Implications for the Discussion on Critical Periods in Language Acquisition ’, Language learning ● Gallo, F. et al. (2021) ‘ First Language Attrition: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and What It Can Be ’, Frontiers in human neuroscience About the Author Related Articles 5 podcasts to help you improve your French Niamh Woodhouse The economic value to the UK of speaking other languages: realistic or idealistic? Rosie Loyd Our top 5 tips for keeping on top of your Chinese Rosie Loyd 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: Charlie Finney Language Learning Attrition Linguistics Grammar 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! 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 LOAD MORE

Liberal Arts < Back Esha Singh As part of my Liberal Arts degree, I study Spanish and have returned from my year abroad in Spain and Cuba. This experience, combined with the interdisciplinary breadth of my studies, has provided me with invaluable insights into the dynamic relationships between language, identity, and culture. I am also interested in pursuing a career in journalism, and with a magazine like Lingo that intersects language and culture, I am eager to translate my experiences and offer my contributions! Latest Articles by this Author How students help build tolerance on and campus and beyond 01/05/25

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

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 Related Articles 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! LOAD MORE

In the middle of nowhere, but on the way to somewhere! Elodie McMinn Thursday, 8 February 2024 During my road trip around America, I tried to get to Cadillac Ranch in Texas. The only thing between me and the Cadillacs was a ghost town in Oklahoma, an angry evangelical, and the great emptiness of America. Oklahoma, 2019. The further you drive out west, the larger everything seems to get. The landscape stretches into the distance, the space between you and the nearest car grows, and it takes longer and longer to reach a new town. It gets harder to ignore the lingering sense of loneliness that underpins any great journey, especially in a place like Jackson County, Oklahoma. We’d left Memphis that morning and were heading towards Cadillac Ranch in Texas, an art installation and the namesake of a Bruce Springsteen song. Getting there from Tennessee in one day would require a miracle, so we booked a room from a man called Samuel in Olustee, Oklahoma. Cowboy Papa and I had to drive through miles of dust before we got there. On arrival, we realised that this place wasn’t exactly a town, but more like a string of empty, run-down bungalows. Faded American flags hung dead in the air, confederate flags were plastered on a window or two, and half-starved dogs lurked in the shade of bony trees. We walked around until it was time for our booking, just before night came, when the sky was fading into violets and roses. Samuel was leaning against his pickup truck when we arrived. He greeted us and showed us a tiny inflatable swimming pool. There were about a dozen kids splashing around inside, cooling off after the day’s heat. “Do you guys have swimming costumes? I close the pool in 5 minutes, but I can keep it open a bit longer if you want to dip in.” said Samuel. I smiled and shook my head. “No?” he continued, “Well, do you guys wanna come to Church with us? We’d give you a ride and there’d be free food. I bet you guys are real hungry after coming from…where’d you come from?” “Tennessee,” said Cowboy Papa, “so we’re pretty tired.” “It really isn’t a bother. We’ll take you there and back, it’d only be a few hours or so.” I considered it. When else would I have a chance to experience Church in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Oklahoma? But the memory of the confederate flags strung up on the windows crept into my mind, so we declined again. We watched as the kids were piled into the back of the truck like livestock, before they zipped down the road and disappeared. Alone now, it was like we were the last souls left behind after the rapture. That night we sat in our room and ate cold beans from a cooler that smelt like rancid cheese and butter. It was our third night on the road and everything we brought had melted, but we didn’t care so long as we could hear the circadas singing. We were heading west and signs of it were appearing all around us. Our peace was disturbed a few hours later by a knock on the window. Samuel. “I wanna show you something. Come with me.” He led us to one of the empty bungalows. It was filled with piles of junk inside old cardboard boxes. Samuel reached into one and pulled out a notebook, placing it into our hands like an ancient relic. It was a guestbook where visitors could thank Samuel for their stay. Nothing unusual, except I had never been handed a guestbook in a dilapidated bungalow, and I had never seen a guestbook where each guest spilled their hearts out across pages and pages. RICHARD, FROM NORTH CAROLINA. Samuel. I was only meant to stay a few nights, but I ended up staying three months. Oh god. You helped me see how off-track my life was. You made me see how aimless I was. You made me see that I could feel like myself again. You made me get back on track. I can’t thank you enough. You’ve saved me. And so on, and so on, for ten pages straight. Cowboy Papa shut the book and handed it back to Samuel, who was smiling at us strangely. “You’ll be writing in that soon.” “Yes. Of course. But we really have to go to bed now.” Cowboy Papa said. “You leaving tomorrow?” Samuel asked. We told him we were. “You could stay another day. Free of charge. I have another place, you could crash on the sofa.” “Another place?” asked Cowboy Papa, frowning. “I have a few houses in this town. Those kids earlier? Their parents send them here to fix up the houses in the summer. It’s good work.” I thought of all of those broken houses and how it seemed that no one lived there. I thought of all those kids piled up in the back of the truck. Oklahoma was starting to tighten my lungs and dig its nails into my wrists, and I longed to be back on the road. “Thanks, but we can’t stay. We have a schedule to stick to.” I said. Samuel frowned and straightened. He was blocking the doorway. “Schedule?” he hissed, “I don’t understand. Why can’t you just stay one more night?” If I was at a vulnerable point in my life, Samuel’s wrath might have made me feel as though I’d done something wrong. It might’ve made me feel that someone, somewhere, was going to be in great pain because I didn’t stay on Samuel’s sofa. To fix the damage I’d caused, I needed to stay here, in an empty house being worked on by kids on a missionary trip. Instead, his attempted manipulation made me sick with anger, and we left quickly. The next day we rose early and put on our Springsteen shirts, eager to claim sanctuary in Cadillac Ranch. Samuel was waiting for us. We thanked him and got in the car, hoping to make a great escape, but he held Cowboy Papa’s door open. “I really hoped you had a nice time here. I’m from New York myself, but this place is real nice." said Samuel. “New York?” I asked. “Yeah,” he looked down at our Springsteen shirts, “Make sure you visit the Cadillac Ranch. It’s a nice place. They stuck Cadillacs in the mud.” “Oh, we will.” I said. We left him in a trail of dust. On the road into the Texas Panhandle we saw nothing but prairie grass for hours. “So, he’s from New York.” I said. “He chose to live there. He chose to live there .” Cowboy Papa exclaimed in disbelief. I rolled down the window and read the landscape like a book. “Did you notice how he looked at our shirts before telling us to go to the Cadillac Ranch? You think he knew Springsteen? Cadillac Ranch…Who knows that song except proper Springsteen fans? Samuel must have known rock and roll once. Because why would he look at our shirts, see Springsteen, and not say anything , then tell us to go to Cadillac Ranch, in a whole other state. Maybe he’s left Springsteen behind. Maybe we were horrible reminders of the unrighteous! Even though, you know, Springsteen is the most righteous.” “Oh, of course,” said Cowboy Papa and she turned up the music, and we drove on. About the Author Related Articles 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: Travel Oklahoma Road Trip Elodie McMinn 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

Exploring the history of the Vikings in Scandinavia, Part 2 – Stockholm & Copenhagen Aidan Cross Thursday, 11 April 2024 In the second part of their article, Aidan, a final year Hispanic Studies & History student with a love for all things Anglo-Saxon and Viking, shares the best places to explore the incredible history of the Vikings in Stockholm and Copenhagen. After spending a couple of days in Oslo, we made a brief stop in Gothenburg before travelling to Stockholm. If you’re ever in the city, you have to visit the Historiska Museet. My brother and I spent hours lost in there. Genuinely, we had planned to visit another two museums that day and instead spent more than two hours in just the first exhibition. My favourite was, of course, The Viking World, an exhibition which you are guided around by the roots of the world tree, Yggdrasil. It contains more than 2500 objects – all of which can be accessed digitally! [1] – covering all aspects of Viking society from religion and mythology to daily life, trade, and warfare through displays of incredible archaeological finds. If museums aren’t your thing, a short bus journey out of Stockholm takes you to Runriket, “The Rune Kingdom”, a trail of runestones around Vallentunasjön. Scandinavia is famous for its Viking runestones that date from the 9th to 12th centuries, from the height of the Viking Age to post-Christianisation, the majority of which can be found in Sweden, particularly in the region of Uppland, just north of Stockholm. These runestones were once brightly coloured memorials to the dead and their inscriptions tell us so much about the peoples and places that erected them, fusing traditional interlace and runic inscriptions with Christian imagery and depictions of Norse mythology. Did my brother and I do a 5-hour hike around a lake to look at some runestones? Yes. Have my knees ever been the same? No. I did get a new badge on my Fitbit though, for doing 35k steps in one day – and it was definitely worth it. Still recovering from that hike, we travelled to the last city of our trip: Copenhagen. However, my last recommendation is actually a train ride away in Roskilde, where there is the incredible Viking Ship Museum. [2] Its permanent exhibition features the five stunningly preserved 1000-year-old Viking ships that were excavated in 1962 at Skuldelev in Roskilde Fjord, where they had been purposefully sunk during the late Viking Age to form a defence system, to control the sea route into Roskilde. These ships, with their surviving fragments mounted onto metal frames that show their former force and majesty, bring to life the maritime culture of the Vikings – a culture of craftmanship, trade, travel, and warfare. The exhibition explores the importance of shipbuilding and the sea to Viking society and highlights the difficulties of excavating and preserving these incredible finds. Now go forth and explore the fascinating history of the Vikings in Scandinavia! About the Author Related Articles Exploring the history of the Vikings in Scandinavia, Part 2 – Stockholm & Copenhagen Aidan Cross [1] https://vikingar.historiska.se/index.php?l=en [2] https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/ Images provided by Aidan Cross. 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: history vikings denmark sweden scandinavia Aidan Cross 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

Weekend Getaways: The Lake District Gabrielle Wroe Monday, 17 March 2025 Why not take a quick weekend getaway with your friends? It’s the perfect escape for busy students in need of a break from constant studying. A weekend trip lets you unwind, recharge and discover new places- sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery to shake off the uni stress! Even if it’s just for a day or two, there are some great places to visit on a low budget. As a student, I’ve found that small trips are incredibly worthwhile. University life can be stressful, and taking a break to recharge is essential for your mental well-being. A perfect staycation that I highly recommend is the Lake District, which remains one of the most idyllic and tranquil places I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Last spring, I ventured there for the first time with my partner, spending a weekend in the charming village of Dent. The Lake District is easiest to reach by car, with a scenic drive of around 2.5 to 3 hours from Nottingham. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry! There are also several train stations dotted around the region, making it accessible from various parts of the UK. Trains can be a cheaper alternative if you have a railcard along with student discount. During our trip we stayed in an affordable Airbnb for three days, which was ideal – it gave us the perfect balance of comfort and affordability. Airbnb is a great choice for budget friendly stays, but you could also look for B&B’s or hostels which could save you a bit more money. The Lake District is the perfect destination if you love hiking and the outdoors! Anywhere you stay in the Lakes has countless walks and hiking routes with picturesque views, so you’ll never run out of places to explore. Whether you’re intermediate or beginner, the Lake District offers trails for all levels of experience. If you prefer gentle strolls, I recommend taking a trip to Lake Windermere, which has beautiful views and offers a flat walk. There are also more challenging climbs such as Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak that promises breathtaking views. Also, in many villages there are local pubs and cafes that offer meals with a cozy atmosphere, which is perfect after a day of hiking. If hiking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other activities such as boat rides across the lakes, local markets and lots of charming little shops and cafes. The area is very rich in history too, so there are a handful of museums and historic sites that you can explore if you aren’t too bothered about the walks. Whether you're seeking adventure or just a short trip with friends, the Lake District offers a perfect weekend getaway. About the Author Related Articles Header image is copyright free and courtesy of Unsplash. Article images provided by Gabrielle Wroe. 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: Travel Travel Guide England 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 Victory for Feminism': How France Made the Right to Abortion Part of its Constitution Charlie Bodsworth Friday, 5 April 2024 In near direst response to the shift some countries have made towards restricting the right and access to safe abortions, France has become the first ever country to explicitly include abortion as a "guaranteed freedom" in its constitution, but this hasn't been without its struggles. CW: abortion At a crucial time in history, France has officially become the first country to enshrine the right to abortion into its constitution, following a ceremony symbolically taking place on the 8th of March (International Women’s Day). Despite the overwhelming majority for this decision, the move has been a long time coming. The amendment bill was first proposed by MP Mathilde Panot in late 2022, which was met with an overall positive response from both of France’s parliamentary houses: the National Assembly and the Senate. The main division between the houses was with the wording, with the National Assembly agreeing with abortion being a “right”, and the Senate considering it to be more of a “freedom”. The bill was revisited in January of this year, which proposed having abortion be a “guaranteed freedom”. The houses then voted on the amendment bill, both experiencing an overwhelming majority voting in favour. To consolidate the vote, President Emmanuel Macron called for a special parliamentary session in Versailles as a repeat vote on the matter, in which a majority vote of three-fifths would negate the need for a public referendum. And this is exactly what happened. On 4th March, the vote was 780-72, proceeded by a standing ovation from those in attendance, and ascertaining the bill as the 25th amendment to France’s constitution since its establishment in 1958. The right to choose an abortion has been a legal right in France since 1975, thanks to former Minister of Health Simone Veil, although various adjustments have been made to the law over the years to widen access to this vital medical procedure. The most recent of these was in 2022, where the legal deadline for an abortion increased from 12 weeks to 14. So, why is making it constitutional so important? The primary reason is that, in France, there is extremely widespread support for access to abortions, even among the right wing, with polls stating around 85% of the French population were in favour of the amendment bill. This acts as a beacon of hope, in contrast to countries such as the US and Poland, where vital access to abortions has recently become more and more restricted. Of course, the bill has received some backlash from various groups. The overall enshrinement act was contested by anti-abortion groups and the Vatican. However, some have also considered the bill unnecessary, with the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man - a text highly intertwined with the French constitution - non-explicitly protecting abortion rights in the constitution. There have also been speculations that President Emmanuel Macron, who is currently at risk of losing a government majority, used the amendment bill to pander to the left wing. What is certain, however, is the hope and joy that has been brought to women both in France and further abroad, with many calling the amendment a victory for feminism. While there are still some changes to be made regarding the accessibility of abortions in France, enshrining this guaranteed freedom into its constitution has added an indefinite level of protection for the rights of many women in difficult and painful situations, and has acted as a point of resistance with the current global trend to remove these valuable rights to keep abortions legally and medically safe. About the Author Related Articles 'A Victory for Feminism': How France Made the Right to Abortion Part of its Constitution Charlie Bodsworth Cannabis Legalisation in Germany Olivia Marshall The Reintroduction of the Eastern Black Rhino in Kenya Harriet Rothwell-Inch 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: france politics rights global affairs Categories: Global Affairs News Guide Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

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

Faculty of Engineering < Back Sarah Taylor Sarah is a staff member here at the University working as a Senior Research Administrator for the Faculty of Engineering. She loves writing and culture, and thought that Lingo Mag would be a fantastic opportunity to combine both passions. She also loves photography, books, history and walking. Latest Articles by this Author Film Review: The Order (2024) 20/01/25 Film Review: Lee (2024) 01/10/24

Southern Spain’s Architectural Gems Vicki Mileson Tuesday, 15 February 2022 Southern Spain is home to some of the world’s most enchanting architecture so we offered up some places to add to your travel bucket list. Andalucía is home to some of the most beautiful examples of Moorish architecture across the Iberian Peninsula... Between the 8th and 15th centuries, the Moors controlled most of Spain and their Islamic heritage is evident today across the southern regions of Spain. The Moorish buildings in Spain are some of the last few examples of Islamic architecture in Europe and although Moorish rule didn’t last forever, the monuments now attract tourists to Spain from across the globe. Here are just a few of southern Spain’s architectural gems to add to your travel bucket list. Granada Home to one of the most visited sites in Spain, La Alhambra in Granada has preserved its Moorish heritage. Meaning “the red” in Arabic , La Alhambra was used as a palace and fortress during the 14th century and its beautiful architecture has inspired other buildings all around the world. When Granada was later conquered in 1492, it was converted into the Royal Court of the Catholic Monarchs , Ferdinand and Isabella. The city has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and La Alhambra is one of the best-preserved Moorish structures in the world. Its walls are covered in Islamic carvings and mosaics and it overlooks the Albaicín quarter of Granada’s Moorish old city , with a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. Albaicín, the origin city of Granada, boasts a rich heritage of Moorish town planning and architecture . With narrow streets and small plazas, the area is marked by its unique and well-preserved Andalusian heritage. Sevilla La Real Alcázar de Sevilla is a massive walled fortress with mosaic domes, beautiful green gardens, ancient baths, and complex stonework. Some of the same artists who worked on La Alhambra contributed to the ornate interiors of the Alcázar. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is used by the Spanish royal family as their official residence, making it the oldest European palace still in use. Sevilla is also home to La Giralda – a Moorish bell tower that is part of the Sevilla Cathedral. You can climb up to the top for beautiful views of the city by walking up a series of ramps – installed instead of stairs so that animals could walk up to the top with food and water too. The Cathedral is the largest in Spain and uses a Gothic style, brought to Spain from France . The Gothic style cemented itself in Andalusian architecture thanks to the Reconquista. Córdoba Córdoba was once the capital of Islamic Spain. In fact, the Cathedral of Córdoba was so influenced by Moorish culture that it is better known as Mezquita (mosque). Complete with red and white horseshoe arches, it was originally a Mosque and the centre of Islamic life for the city’s citizens. It has been used as a Christian place of worship since 1236, when Christian rule took over the city. Like many other examples of Moorish architecture, the architecture carries a spiritual meaning. For example, there are 365 arches which are said to mimic the expansive world around us . Also in Córdoba is the Medina Azahara, the ruins of a medieval Muslim fortress . Originally named ‘The Shining City’, the ruins feature classic Moorish geometric architecture, terraced gardens and evidence of a Roman aqueduct. Spain’s rich history has gifted it some of the world’s most beautiful and complex pieces of architecture and Andalucía is home to some of our favourites. About the Author Related Articles Barcelona’s Hidden Gems: Live like a local and escape the tourists Mhairi MacLeod 48 Hours in Seville: Spain's Sunny City Niamh Woodhouse Southern Spain’s Architectural Gems Vicki Mileson 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: Architecture Spain Andalucia History Vicki Mileson Categories: Culture Cultural Guide Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! 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