The celebration of St Patrick’s Day

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Laze it up. Packing your holiday itinerary with activities may seem a good idea, but the best memories when travelling are often unexpected. The perfect bench in the sun after a day of sightseeing or reading a book on a slightly uncomfortable public beach: moments like these are free and so far removed from the stress of uni. Don’t miss them by overbooking. Plan now. Not only does booking in your trip early give you something to look forward to as deadlines move ever closer, but flights, hotels and experiences are far cheaper booked in advance. Embrace spontaneity, but don’t let it cost you! Bon voyage!

Agata Koralewska, International Editor, writes about the importance of the celebration of St Patrick’s Day

THE upcoming celebration of St Patrick’s Day, that is held on the 17th March, is an opportunity to join together and remember the Irish heritage. It involves a range of cultural activities, such as cheerful street parades, dressing up in green or even dyeing some drinks. The origin story of the day comes from the name of St Patrick, a legendary character that converted Ireland to Christianity, after being captured as a slave. There are many myths about him, for example that he got rid of all the snakes of the country by preaching a sermon from the top of a mountain. One thing about him that has directly translated into the ways in which the festivity is performed is the symbol of the shamrock. The saint used it to explain the concept of Trinity to the masses. The common use of the colour green during the day can be linked to the 18th century when it was used by the supporters of the independence of Ireland.

St Patrick’s Day is held on the 17th of March

In some places, such as Chicago, the long-awaited day is commemorated by dyeing the river green to acknowledge the Irish immigrants who helped to settle the city. It serves a purpose of remembering their history and has roots in parades organised in the United States when they settled in. Probably the most recognisable and popular symbol, other than the shamrock, is the folk creature named Leprechaun. It is a small, bearded, ginger man that is inspired by Celtic beliefs and possesses magical powers. A rule says that if one catches a Leprechaun, he might even gift you with a pot of gold or grant your three wishes!

In some places, such as Chicago, the day is commemorated by dyeing the river green

There are many ways that you can experience St Patrick’s Day in Exeter.

There are parades organised that will march through the town, and you can try some Irish food in some restaurants if you reserve beforehand. There are also some club or bingo nights that you can go to if you feel like partying after a couple of Guinnesses. Overall, the most important thing about St Patrick’s Day is spending some time together with your family or friends and remembering the importance of Irish culture around the world.

The role of dialects in society

Ewan Edwards, Tech Editor, examines the significance of dialects in the UK

GREAT Britain is famous for having such a variety of regional accents within such a small space of land; a Liverpudlian sounds distinctively different from a Mancunian despite only being 35 miles apart, and a Glaswegian sounds like they’re from another planet compared to an Exonian. What is more fascinating is how dialects we know so well in society, can die so easily.

The cockney accent which is so familiar to Britons is believed to be ‘dying out’. We may be left to being reminded of it in Guy Ritchie films or, God forbid, EastEnders . It is an accent that is synonymous with London, often glamourised or satirised; either way, as London becomes a larger melting pot of cultures, the accent is dying a death. It is rooted in the working class of the East End which since the 1950s has seen a huge change in demographics, particularly due to immigration from Bangladesh and West India. What we have seen is a sharp rise of a hybrid between these dia- lects along with Carribean, which has come to be informally known as Jafaican or Multicultural London English. Another British dialect that has drastically changed in the last 50 years is Scouse. If you listen to recordings or interviews with the Beatles, or even modern-day interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, they speak in a softer tone with a lower register than the screeching Scousers do today. Rather than saying ‘lad’ in every sentence the Scouse accent of 50 years ago was pleasant to listen to… It is thought that TV has had an influence on dialect change, especially with the Americanisation of words, as well as the demography of Liverpool changing from predominantly Irish immigration to global immigration.

Another British dialect that has drastically changed in the last 50 years is Scouse

Dialect is a funny thing, but it gives people identity and a sense of community. It is now, rightfully, more acceptable than ever to wear your accent proudly and not be forced into elocution lessons.