Issue 1

The Linguist A magazine for language learners and culture vultures

THE POWER OF THE INTERNET AND THE ARAB

Tickle you taste buds with tastes of the world

SPRING UPRISING

Русский

YEAR ABROAD WORRIES?

A GUIDE TO KARELIA’S CAPITAL

Top tips

EIN ÖSTERREICHISCHES FURCHT-FEST QU’EST-CE QUE C’EST, LA MODE FRANÇAISE?

FROM RUSSIA with (Heterosexual) Love www.thelinguistmagazine.org

OUR CURRENT FAVOURITE IDIOM: “Lassen die Kirche im Dorf” (leave the church in the village) Photo by Nick Lanigan in Berlin’s Tiergarten, Germany

CONTENTS Letter from the Editor

Culture 2 Current Affairs Travel Sport

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Life & Style 4 LGBT French

“Don’t get carried away”

W

e hope you enjoy dipping into the first issue of the Linguist!

We can keep you up to date with WORLD AFFAIRS, SPORT and STYLE, let you in on year abroad tips, share with you some foreign recipes, give you the lowdown on WHAT’S ON socially and tickle your fancy with tons of reviews of book and film. Best of all you’ll polish up your language skills without even realising! We’re always keen to recruit new writers so don’t hesitate to drop us a line if you have an idea. Our aim is to unite all language enthusiasts and get people talking!

5 From your Editors

Spanish

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German

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Portuguese 8 Chinese

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Russian Italian

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Recipes

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Contact 1

Lana Hunt Editor

Benvenuti al Sud: Film Review by Lana Hunt

© Google Images

CULTURE

In 2011 a total of 31 Italian films were released onto the big screen, including 29 features and 2 documentaries. But it is important to understand that who ever you are, these movies can be enjoyed by all - whether you speak the language or not! One of my personal favorites from the 2011 collection was ‘Benvenuti al Sud’ which is a hilarious take on the universal theme of rivalry between the North vs the South in Italy. Its actually an Italian take on the French film Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, but the Italian box office made over 30 million euros for their version, proving that it is a success in its own right.

Although the differences between the North and South in Italy have always been judged with some prejudice throughout the years, Luca Miniero ( the director) takes a more humorous approach when addressing these issues. Alberto ( Claudio Bisio) is a postal worker, who is sent to the small town of Castellabate in the South. He arrives with preconceptions, and even wears a bullet proof vest! His wife Maria (Angela Finocchiaro), is too terrified to go with him because she imagines that it will be dirty hilltop town swarming with mafia. However, what he finds is something at odds with his prejudices.

Although the people from the town of Castellabate are admittedly incompressible, and they eat the strangest things including sanguinaccio ( a blend of pigs blood and chocolate) , he also discovers that the people are friendly, honest and they live in a place of heart-stopping beauty. Overall, whether you want to study the film from a cinematic point of view, analysis the differences between the French original and the Italian disposition, or if you simply want to watch it for its entertaining quality, this film is defiantly one to watch!

Watch the trailer if you interested! ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JtQfHPPGS8&feature=player_embedded

CURRENT AFFAIRS THE POWER OF THE INTERNET AND THE ARAB SPRING UPRISING By Matt Hewson

Siobhan O’Sullivan Editor

More than a year has passed since the advent of the Arab Spring, an overwhelming movement of dissent and popular protest that unseated leaders across North Africa. The uprisings continue even now; Syria is on the brink of a civil war as opposition protestors clash with government troops on a daily basis. © Google Images

The internet, and specifically social media, has been credited with supporting, sustaining and even accelerating the uprisings, which began in Tunisia and quickly spread to other nations.

Platforms such as Twitter and Facebook were harnessed by activists to coTHE SNOW IS FALLING LIKE TEARS By Siobhan O’Sullivan ordinate efforts, generate sympathy and most importantly, provide news when news organisations could not.

Twitter hashtag #egypt was the most popular in 2011, a figure that isn’t lightly ignored; the micro-blogging site has nearly 200 million users, only a small number of whom actually live in the North African state.

Yet for all the fuss, many have suggested that the part that the internet played has been exaggerated. Back in March, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange argued that while it had been of some use, Arab news network Al Jazeera had been more important.

Even Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, downplayed the role that his site may have had, pointing to previous revolutions where neither the internet nor mobile phones have been necessary; “social media’s role is maybe a bit overblown” he stated during an interview in November, adding “if people want change, then they will find a way to get that change”.

The internet and the ever-evolving social media which it supports was an important factor in the Arab Spring. To claim it alone is responsible for the movement’s successes is however, a step too far. It has been, in every way, a popular movement, whose success lies not with trending topics or ‘likes’ but with people.

‘The snow is falling like tears’, this is how one North Korean general described the start of the two day funeral of Kim Jong-il on Sky News. State television showed thousands of people over come with grief, having to be held back by police.

Though how much of this is staged? North Korea, the most closed country in the world has sent images of the funeral to the international press before expected. And the message is clear; we have the biggest standing army in the world and we’re here to stay. The precession was lead by the suspected successor and son of the late leader, Kim Jong-un. Murals of dictator who died of a heart attack in mid December were paraded through the snow covered streets of Pyongyang for the country, and the world, to see. The streets and area in front of Memorial Palace were filled with citizens in mourning, their distressed cries filling the air. Kim Jong-il is almost perceived to be a deity and in Pyongyang, the capital made up of the political elite, this is taken as fact.

However, there is wide spread speculation in the Western media that some of the public grieving is forced due to fear. Anyone seen to be speaking out against the communist dictatorship could find themselves in forced labour camps, or gulags. The West fears for the stability of North Korea and its new, young, inexperienced leader Kim Jong-un. The young are rash and little is known about the perspective leader of a country rooted in the wars of the 20th century and how he will impact the international community of the 21 st century.

But, for the time being, Korea stands in mourning. What the future will bring leaves the rest of us guessing.

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YEAR ABROAD WORRIES? TIPS FOR FRANCE Chloe Osbourne Editor

© Google Images

TRAVEL

By Stephanie Hedges

1. ARRIVE EARLY. This one is super important. My housemate and I arrived two weeks

before term started, which gave us a chance to get administrative stuff done early.

2. BE PREPARED FOR FRENCH BUREAUCRACY. It moves at a slow pace; slower than a

tortoise with a limp. So be prepared for things like opening a bank account or registering at uni to take a while.

THE GERMAN WEINSTRASSE AND ITS WURSTMARKT By Jonathan Harding This festival is a hidden gem within the southern German countryside and although well known to wine tasters, it remains relatively unknown to the greater part of Europe. On arriving in southern Germany for my year abroad I was unaware that this historical festival, which is 570 years old, and is the world’s biggest, was to take place in the nearby town of Bad Dürkheim. The festival centres on entertainment, food and wine and offers over 150 different types of wine to try from small “wine towns” around the region.

The locally made Riesling, a symbols of the Rheinland-Palitante county, is the most popular choice and after my first glass, I was knew why. The so-called “schorle” is in fact a large glass of wine, a quarter of which is sparkling water and is also incredibly popular for those pacing themselves through the day. The event’s good nature emanates through the wine stands, food courts and music stages, and local transport runs throughout the festival period, make it easier for everyone to join in the celebration. The festivals’ tradition has been preserved with local music and of course local produce and despite the rather Americanised fairground the festival manages to retain its unique atmosphere.

3. DON’T TRY TO DO ANYTHING IMPORTANT ON A SUNDAY. EVER. France is closed on

Sundays. Finding you’ve run out of food on a Saturday night is an Erasmus student’s nightmare- avoid long, hungry Sundays and plan ahead.

4. SPEAK FRENCH. Sounds like an odd suggestion, but don’t fall into the trap of only making friends with other English students.

5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. Your French is probably better than you think,

but there will be occasions where you need to ask for help. I was too nervous to, which is how I accidently ordered my boyfriend a slab of raw mincemeat in a French restaurant last term (he wanted a burger. Whoops.) Ask if you don’t understand.

6. FINALLY, HAVE FUN! Yes, work hard, but year abroad is amazing. You’ll make mistakes, of course, but it’s all part of the experience- I’ll be telling that raw meat story

for years….

After my day’s festivities, the train journey home through the region made me truly appreciate my experience. Bad Dürkheim is situated on Germany’s wine road and the locally produced wine means that vineyards dominate the landscape and on the return journey, w ith the sun setting on fields and fields of vineyard, it was simply glorious. The German wine road stretches 100km from Bockenheim south to Schweigen-Rechtenbach and each town adds something different to the wine it produces.

A-Z OF FIFA PART ONE

SPORT

After what seems like constant speculation it seems appropriate that a somewhat jovial, yet also questioning A-Z of FIFA should be constructed. The farce with the poppies last week proves that the machine must not be disrupted on any level and the fact they even allowed us, is something we should (apparently) be grateful for. This machine, all of it’s branches and tiers and of course the man at it’s helm is the governing body of world football but, as most machines of such vast size, is corrupt and far too powerful. Here are my attempts to categorise this body of footballing power and wealth in the alphabet.

A is for Australia – It seems an odd place to start but losing out to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup was a ridiculous call when Australia deserved the vote. The Australian FA invested $46 million on it’s own bid and yet fell short. The issue internally with their Rugby League and Aussie Rules fixture list clash (should their bid have succeeded) seemed the excuse that Blatter and FIFA used to eliminate Australia from the running, albeit a race with a selected winner. Australian football has been on the up and the only other country threatening the same kind of progress is the USA, who were also successful in their bid for the same year. In the words of Blatter and FIFA, the promotion of the game across the world is pivotal and yet the decision to favour other countries with other peripheral benefits seemed to take precedence. Countries such as the USA or Australia, had good set-ups of stadium, transport links and were countries whose passion for the sport was on the increase and they weren’t picked? It says more than enough about the machine’s true aim.

B is for Blatter – Who else could have taken the B spot? Bin Hammam was close but unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, he fell out of the running. The man has been in charge for four terms. That is nearly a total of 16 years and let’s not forget he himself is 75 years old. His reappointment in 2007 was only with 60 voting in favour (from a possible 207) which apart from a hugely obvious mathematical failing, suggests that people are just plain and simple afraid of the man. His entire FIFA presidency career has been riddled with corruption, money laundering, sexist comments and international abandonment. His is infuriating and yet is the most powerful man in football. What has he changed during his spell you ask? Well, not as much as you would want/hope/think for such a long spell. The silver goal, the yellow card for over-zealous and shirt removing celebrations and no automatic qualification for the next campaign for World Cup Champions are all on the list of Blatter’s changes. Positive or not that’s not even the question I ask myself. I am sure there are many more internal changes that he has made to the game and I am sure, although it has hard for me to say, some of them of good use but it is the fact that we, the footballing public, no nothing of these changes, most peculiarly the internal ones. Again, it certainly says enough about the machine and the man at it’s helm, who really must be laughing at how things have turned out for him.

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(Jonathan Harding’s football writing, this article included, features online at www.the4thofficial.co.uk)

QU’EST-CE QUE C’EST, LA MODE FRANÇAISE? Amy Wakeham Editor

LIFE & STYLE A PERFECT PARISIAN DAY By Sophie Spirit

By Jake Hall The most common misconception is that French fashion consists solely of berets and Breton stripes – however, one look at the emerging trends from Paris Fashion Week shows that les femmes françaises will be more likely to be wearing masculine suits and brogues, as shown by famous French fashion house Lanvin. Yves Saint Laurent has also opted for the classic look, pairing tailored shirts with floaty maxis to create the elegant look that the French women are renowned for.

An ideal day out in Paris could only start with a true continental breakfast of typical French pastries whether that involves a croissant or a pain au chocolat or both! To In addition, many French fashion houses have subtly introduced truly blend into the Parisian way of life, breakfast should be eaten on the go. A morn- the pastel colours which are slowly becoming one of the most ing of shopping at the Galleries Lafayette can be followed with lunch at Montmartre by popular trends. However, in Paris, the colours (lemon, mint), the Sacré Coeur, the highest point in Paris overlooking the city. Best known for its were seen applied to timeless pieces such as pencil skirts and tailored jackets in order to appeal to the classic minimalist arty background with the likes of Dali, Picasso and Van Gogh having spent most of their artistic career within the area, plenty of small, cosy and candle-lit cafés can be attitude of the French woman.. found which are perfect for a light lunch.

Not far away from the Sacré Coeur is the Champs-Elysées. Getting off at the metro stop ‘Charles de Gaulle Etoile’ and you will find yourself standing in front of the Arc de Triomphe. The walk along the Champs-Elysées is certainly an intriguing one; whether you have the money to spend or not. Off a road at the end of the Champs-Elysées down towards Place de la Concorde, is an Italian restaurant called Pasta PaPa. Not only is it delicious, but the portions are extremely generous and the pricing is definitely affordable! The way Pasta PaPa works is that on their menu there’s a choice of pasta types, with a list of 30 plus sauces. You choose your pasta type, and sauce, and it is brought out in a family-sized dish all for you!

LGBT

FROM RUSSIA WITH (HETEROSEXUAL) LOVE By Dale Lewis St.Petersburg. Cultural capital of the Russian Federation, founded by Peter the Great of Russia, now the most homophobic city in the West?

In November 2011 the world famous hot spot for Western travellers passed a bill on its first reading banning all homosexual, bisexual, transsexual and paedophilic propaganda in Russia. The ban prevents education to Russia’s younger generations that homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality are normal in everyday life, condemns and compares the lifestyles of homosexuals to those of paedophiles, and breaches the Russian Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by taking the right to Freedom of Speech from LGBT Russians – similar to the Thatcher’s infamous Section 28 some thirty years ago.

But how has Medvedev’s (or rather Putin’s) Russia got to the point of condemning homosexuality when so many famous Russian figureheads of the past were indeed homosexual? Legends like Tchaikovsky, the world famous classical composer, Peter the Great, Russian Tsar and founder of Russia as we know it today, and the famous ballet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev. Should these people be criticised and “removed” from Russian history so that this “disgusting” propaganda doesn’t influence the Russian youth of today? If Russia wants to be incorporated into the West, would it not be in its best interests to shirk its Stalinist past and finally enter the 21st Century?

Harry Frost Editor

© Google Images

THÉODORE, PAUL & GABRIEL – SILENT VEIL

BY AIMEE OLIVER

The sound of this Parisian girl group is nothing new, but their image offers something more interesting than most.

Théodora Delilez, Pauline Thomson and Clemence Gabriel present themselves as their androgynous alter-egos for no real political reason, but to destroy the various preconceptions surrounding girl bands. Though Théodore, Paul & Gabriel have only been together for little over a year after a chance meeting at a university café, they have already been showcased on ‘Tarantata,’ a live music show on television channel France 2 which has supported such artists as Christophe Maé, Skunk Anansie and Boy George. Singing in English adds an interesting twang to Gabriel’s ethereal voice and their mix of hard and soft sounds combines beautifully with the José Gonzalez-esque guitar work on ‘Slow Sunday’. Yet it is the title track ‘Silent Veil’ which truly grabs the listener’s attention; its memorable chorus will stay with you long after you have finished listening to it. Even if this type of music isn’t for you, these women must be saluted for their work in blurring gender boundaries.

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Français LES PREMIÈRES IMPRESSIONS D’UNE FRANÇAISE EN ANGLETERRE Par Alyssa Chamsoutdinova 18 Septembre 2011

08:00, Gare du Nord, Paris Je prends l’Eurostar en direction de Birmingham (deuxième ville d’Angleterre, mais malgré cela, aucun de mes amis français n’en a jamais entendu parler) pour mon Erasmus.

10 :30, St Pancras, Londres Je me rends compte en arrivant que prendre deux grosses valises n’était pas forcément une bonne idée. Je suis totalement désespérée en voyant les escaliers qui mènent au hall de gare.

Soudain, surgissant de nulle part, un inconnu saisit l’une de mes valises et la monte en haut de l’escalier. Il en fait de même avec la seconde.

Il disparait avant même que je ne puisse lui lancer un ‘merci’, euh, un ‘thank you’ plutôt.

Contrairement aux préjugés, les anglais sont chaleureux, sympathiques et très aimables, toujours essayant d’aider les gens sans qu’on ne leur demande rien, et cela se confirmera par la suite.

14 :00, Birmingham : enfin à destination !

Je dépose mes valises dans ma chambre étudiante et pars sans attendre à la découverte du campus.

Il est juste immense, partout des bâtiments en brique rouge – rien à voir avec notre faculté de droit en France, un édifice des années 70 toujours en reconstruction depuis.

Le campus, une vraie petite ville avec sa boite de nuit, son coiffeur, ses magasins et même son marché. Quelle surprise pour nous, français, qui n’avons souvent qu’un pauvre café dans l’enceinte de la fac!

© Google Images

Chloe Osbourne Editor

CHARLES TRENET… ENCORE UN SYMBOLE! Par Amanda Brown

« La mer, qu’on voit danser le long des golfes clairs, a des reflets d’argent, la mer, des reflets changeant, sous la pluie » Une classique de la chanson française, de Charles Trenet, le Fou chantant.

Mais qui est-ce ?

Né le 18 mai 1913 à Narbonne, Trenet montra son talent de la musique a l’âge de trois ans, quand son institutrice lui entends << fredonner des mélodies inconnues. >> Ses premières influences étaient avant tout sa mère, qui chantait beaucoup auprès de lui. A sept ans, il soufra d’une typhoïde. Pendant le temps qu’il guérisse, il développa ses compétences artistiques de la peinture et de la musique. Il écrivait aussi des poèmes. Apres ses études de l’art, sa vie commencera vraiment quand il arrive à Paris en 1930. Pendant trois ans il travaille comme accessoiriste et puis assistant aux Studios de Joinville. En 1933 il rencontra Johnny Hess, un pianiste Suisse, avec qui il forma le duo << Charles et Johnny >>. Ensemble, ils ont fait des tournées de la France. En 1936 Trenet doit faire son service militaire et puis en 1937 sa carrière solo débuta avec son premier disque << Je chante / Fleur bleue >>. Le poète surréaliste, Max Jacob, et son admiration pour la musique de jazz qui a beaucoup influencer les chansons que Trenet écriera. C’est pendant les années 40 qu’il connaitra ses plus grands succès. Apres une petite carrière en cinéma, près de 1000 chansons, quelques romans, des peintures, une carrière qui a durée 70 ans, il est mort le 19 février 2001. Ces chansons, plutôt que son personnage, resteront toujours aux cœurs des français.

5 CHANSONS À ÉCOUTER:

Quant à la nourriture, les stéréotypes sont au rendez-vous, du bacon, des œufs au plat et des haricots pour le petit déjeuner et, du thé au lait en cours de journée. Bref, je m’adapte et prend les mêmes habitudes que les anglais.

Les étudiants anglais sont adorables. La plupart t’aident à prendre des notes en cours, t’expliquent si tu ne comprends pas quelque chose et surtout te vont découvrir la vie nocturne anglaise! Je sais que cette année sera inoubliable et probablement la meilleure de ma vie. © Google Images

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Je chante

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Y’a de la joie

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Boum !

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Que reste – t – il de nos amours

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Le jardin extraordinaire

Español

© Google Images

Jess White and Ali Barnes Editors

ESTAMOS EN: SALAMANCA! LOS CINCO PUNTOS MEJORES DE LA CUIDAD DESDE LOS OJOS DE UN ESTUDIANTE! LISTOS! Por Alys Perri/Jess White

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El español que hablan allí es la forma de Español más ‘pura’ en todo el pais. Es muy fácil para entender y aprender también

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Hay tantos estudiantes extranjeros! Es una ciudad como una universidad; simplemente! Imagina la ciudad de Birmingham pero un poco más pequeña, más limpia, más bonita y con mucho más sol!

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La universidad de Salamanca es increíble! Un buen lugar, muchas oportunidades para conocer nueva gente, las clases son fantásticas y hay mucha ayuda si necesitas algo!

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Es muy fácil para andar! No necesitas usar el transporte público!

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Nada cuesta mucho! Chupitos por un euro en la Chupiteria y tapas por un euro en la calle van dyck!

© Google Images

© Google Images

© Google Images

LA TOMATINA: ¡TIENES QUE IR A VALENCIA! Por Jess White

Hace dos años, fui a La Tomatina! Es una fiesta que se cel bra en el municipio valenciano de Buñol, en la que los participantes se arrojan tomates los unos a los otros! Un caos total! Se celebra el último miércoles de agosto, cada año desde 1945!

El primer evento de la Tomatina. Es el “palo jabón”, similar a la cucaña, que consiste en subir un a poste engrasado con un jamón en la parte superior. Luego, varios camiones lanzan los tomates en la Plaza del Pueblo, y los tomates proceden de Castellón y utilizan porque no son de buen gusto para el consumo.

Utilizan 150.000 tomates! La fiesta dura solamente una hora, pero es sin duda lo más destacado del año en Valencia, y lo mejor momento de mis vacaciones! Es claro que no pueden visitar España sin ir a un festival!

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Deutsch

Steph Taylor Editor

EINHEIT? JA ODER NEIN? Von Caroline Yeboah 1958 haben sich sechs Länder zusammengetan, um eine wirtschaftliche und politische Einheit zu gründen. Seitdem haben viele andere Länder, die in Europa liegen, beschlossen zu dieser Union gehören zu wollen.

Unter dem Wort Einheit versteht man laut Duden „in sich geschlossene Ganzheit, Verbundenheit; als Ganzes wirkende Geschlossenheit, innere Zusammengehörigkeit”. Mit anderen Worten geht es in einer Einheit um Zusammenhang und Abhängigkeit. Viele verstehen unter Einheit auch eine Art von Verantwortungsgefühl. Wenn man dann all dies bedenkt , könnte man sagen, dass eine Einheit am stärksten sein sollte, wenn Dinge in bisschen schwieriger sind oder einer der Mitglieder dieser Einheit ein Problem hat. Die EU sollte theoretisch für den Sinn der Einheit stehen, aber in den letzten Monaten haben wir wenig von dieser Einheit sehen können. Mit der europäischen Finanzkrise hatte die EU eine Gelegenheit, den Bürgern zu zeigen, dass es unter ihnen immer noch Einheit gibt. Aber es scheint, dass jedem Mitgliedsland vor allem die eigenen Interessen am Herzen liegen.

Also ist die Frage jetzt: Wie können die Bürger der Europäischen Union eine Einheit sein, wenn sogar die Regierungen, die diese Einheit eingeführt haben, sich nicht daran halten?

EIN BISSCHEN RAT FÜR DIE STUDENTEN, DIE EIN AUSLANDSJAHR MACHEN WERDEN Von Martha Lewis Letztes Jahr studierte ich im Ausland als Erasmusstudentin, in Spanien und Deutschland.

Deswegen weiß ich wie nervend und bedrohend die Erwartung sein darf. Es kann ein fantastisches Erlebnis sein. Man trifft viele neue interessante Leute, aus vielen unterschiedlichen Ländern. Es ist eine unvergleichliche Chance, den Wortschatz und die Aussprache zu verbessern und die neue Kultur kennenzulernen. Jedoch versteht jeder Student und jeder Professor, dass dieses Jahr manchmal ziemlich schwierig sein kann. Aber keine Angst! Es gibt ein paar Vorgehensweise, die man annehmen kann, um die Schwierigkeiten zu erleichtern:

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Beachten Sie, wie Sie andere Studenten oder andere jungen Personen am besten kennenlernen werden. Zum Beispiel, wollen Sie in einer Universität studieren oder Assistent in einer Schule sein? Als Assistent, muss man oft schwerer arbeiten, junge Leute zu finden. Vieler meine Freunden, die als Assistenten arbeiteten, haben Jugendliche durch eine Wohngemeinschaft getroffen. Auch wichtig ist, was für Unterkunft man wählt. Das bringt hervor, fantastische Chance neue Personen zu begegnen. Wenn man mit Muttersprachlern von Deutsch, Spanisch, usw. wohnt, ist es ganz einfacher, die fremdliche Sprache zu üben.

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Diskutieren Sie mit deinen verschiedenen neuen Professoren, die Unterschiede zwischen wie sie Aufsätze schreiben oder Prüfungen machen im neuen Land und in deinem Land. In Deutschland war das System ganz anders. Ab und zu werden sie Ihnen sagen, Sie könnten eine andere Form der Prüfung machen oder des Aufsatzes schreiben, zum Beispiel ein Freund von mir hat viele mündliche Prüfungen in Frankreich gemacht.

EIN ÖSTERREICHISCHES FURCHT-FEST Von Amy Homans Jedes Jahr am 5. Dezember brechen die Krampusse über die Städte von Österreich herein. Traditionell half dieses schreckliche Fabeltier in der Weihnachtszeit Sankt Nikolaus durch die Verwarnung und die Bestrafung aller schlechten Kinder, die normalerweise (weg) in seinen Sack gesteckt wurden. Heutzutage ist der Krampuslauf ein lustiges doch sehr gruseliges Ereignis, wo viele Bürger der Stadtgemeinschaft sich als Krampus herausputzen und durch die Straßen streifen, um die Bürger zu erschrecken. Sie tragen abscheuliche Masken mit Hörnern, roten Augen, großem Mund und übler Miene, die manchmal ungefähr 25 Kilo wiegen! Außerdem tragen sie Kuhglocken und schleppen schwere Ketten, damit die Menschen ensetzt sind, wenn die Tiere auf sie zugelaufen kommen. Diese Geräusch sind typischerweise laut, weil sie den kalten Winter verschieben sollen.

Während des Krampuslaufs greifen die Krampusse die Menschen Haben Sie Skype! Manchmal wird Ihr Jahr im Ausland so viel Spaß machen, mit Stöcken und Peitschen an, um sie zu erschrecken und dass Sie keine Zeit für die Familie oder die Heimatfreunde haben. Abgesehen während dieser Angriffe bekommen die Menschen manchmal Bludavon, es ist immer tröstend und beruhigend zu wissen, dass Sie kostenlos tergüsse! Sehr gefährlich! und eine lange Zeit mit denen sprechen können, die Sie am besten kennen!

Vor allem ist der Krampuslauf eine komische und spannende Viel Glück und viel Erfolg!

Erfahrung, die alle sehen sollen. Ich würde ihn total empfehlen.

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© Google Images

Português A Cidade de Deus Por Jess White Cidade de Deus’ é baseado em fatos reais, em 1960 no Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. O protagonista, Buscapé (Firecracker ou Rocket em inglês) é um jovem, aspirante de fotógrafo, esperando um momento oportuno para escapar duma favela violenta e perigosada de Rio. Nos é apresentado a sua vida como uma criança pequena, junto com seu irmão fora da lei e sua gangue, até sua vida como adolescente. Com o crescente nível de criminalidade na cidade, Buscapé começa a entender que se manter no caminho da fotografia é a única maneira de viver, e manter-se dentro da lei.

Enquanto ele está quase no seu caminho para fazer algo na vida dele, ele é arrastado aos pés de Zé Pequeno (Lil Ze) e segue com ele enquanto eles guerreiam para conquistar a favela. Zé Pequeno está lutando para acabar com as gangues rivais da área, deixando a carreira do jovem Buscapé se encontrar cada vez mais mais perigosa, a tarefa mais arriscada.

‘Cidade de Deus’ é sem duda um dos melhores exemplos da cinematografia brasileira. O filme te mantém na beira do assento (poltrona, cadeira, sofá) e te joga no meio da ação logo de cara. Un filme que, definitivamente, deve ser assistido.

Harry Frost Editor

Uma experiência legal em Salvador da Bahia Por Louise Sprate

Quando viajamos por outros países, sempre é aconselhável aprender da cultura e experimentá-la, obviamente as festas e as praias são muito atraentes, mas as experiências únicas que não se pode repetir em lugar nenhum asegurarão que seu viagem seja inesquecível.

Isto é o que eu fiz quando foi para Salvador de Bahia no verão. A cidade da costa atlántica tem muita fama para as influencias africanas que se misturam à cultura tendo em conta que os escravos chegaram lá, à porta do primer capital de Brasil no siglo XVI. As influencias africanas são muito evidentes na comida e na musica, e nao hesitei probar os pratos típicos – feijoada e moqueca de camarão- nem intentar fazer (muito mal) a capoeira nas ruas com as expertas.

Contudo, a experiencia afrobrasileira que não vou esquecer nunca foi a visita a uma casa pequenha, escondida nos becos de Salvador para ver uma ceremonia de Candomblé. Só savia que era uma religião de origem africana que chegou com os escravos mas ao chegar aprendi que tinha por base a alma da natureza e a veneração dos Orixás, as divinidades de natureza.

A ceremonia me pasmou. Era um ritual para curar as pessoas da enfermedade e membros do grupo foram selecionados para realizá-lo. Eles fumavam charutos, tiravam pipoca nas cabeças de todos os adeptos- mais eu- e nos esfregavam os corpos das doenças. Então, vi algo que me impressionou, algumas dos adeptos se convulsionavam porque tinham sido possuído pelos Orixás dentro deles.

Sou muito céptica, mas agradeço que tive a oportunidad de experimentar e compreender melhor outro fenômeno brasileiro, mais de beber caipirinhas na praia!

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汉语

© Google Nick Lanigan Editor

CHINESE NEW YEAR – DID YOU CELEBRATE IT? By Catherine Dawkins

新年快乐！ 这个月是中国的新年。 这个新年是 龙年。 我们买礼物和看我们的朋友。 我们有信封和钱。 This Chinese new year, beginning on the 23rd of January 2012, celebrates the year of the Dragon. The University of Birmingham had its own celebrations yet more and more European families are beginning to notice and embrace this festival from across the world. Indeed many younger and older people know © Google Images their Chinese zodiac and take notice when their animal has their year. In primary school, I remember celebrating the year of the horse at our school dinner, something relatively unheard previously. After this I expanded my beanie baby collection with the new range of Chinese zodiac beanies. Is this this simply yet another holiday for capitalism to turn into a consumerist venture? Or is the western population of the world actually interested in the ancient traditions?

Tell us what you think online at: http://thelinguistmagazine.org/2012/01/22/chinese-new-year-did-you-celebrate-it/

HONG KONG – A CULTURAL CROSSROADS

By Anonymous

Seven years in Hong Kong; part of an international community. When I was first told we were moving there, I barely knew where Hong Kong was located. Today, as I walk in the midst of oriental flavours and scents, I find myself at home.

Called by many “an Asian Manhattan,” Hong Kong is where the Occidental meets the Oriental, full of luxurious cars and workaholics. Besides the amazing variety of top cuisines that one can indulge in, the main activity is shopping. The notorious “太太” (Tai-Tais: meaning wives that do not work) fill the city’s shopping malls, stopping at famous hotels for a quick afternoon tea. Women are in charge of their family’s social life; husbands spend their days in the office.

Despite Hong Kong’s international vibe, there still is a tremendous Asian culture in terms of the population’s aims and goals: happiness seems defined by how big your flat is, and how many Chanel bags one owns. I went to an international school, but the majority of the people were local. It is so hard to describe the dedication that Asians tend to have towards their studies and careers. After 8hrs in school, it was common for my schoolmates to have intense tutoring for every subject, on top of music lessons and sports. I believe it is an innate cultural characteristic, which goes beyond competition or striving to get ahead.

Getting around the city is easy – it is small and condensed (world’s highest population density) and English is common knowledge. Sadly, the old is not seen positively in Hong Kong – nearly every historical building has been taken down and replaced by modern skyscrapers. If you dare however, you can dive into the more traditional parts of the city, where local, exotic stalls dominate and the signs of the stores are only in Chinese.

Why do I love it so much? Well, wait for sun to set and stand by the famous waterfront.

Then wait; just wait for every building to light up at 8 o’clock. Perhaps then you will understand.

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PYCCKO

© Google Images

Ella Nicol Editor

Русский Язык 1B RUSSIANISTS! WONDERING WHAT YOUR TRIP TO PETROZAVODSK IS GOING TO BE LIKE? A GUIDE TO KARELIA’S CAPITAL

by Harry Mead

It is a little known fact that, in the North Russian province of Karelia, there lies a small town named Petrozavodsk. As you race past Russian countryside on one of the infamous night trains, you realise how rural a landscape surrounds Petrozavodsk and it is therefore no surprise that the town is quite small. There are, however, several activities to keep you occupied, including trips to the cinema and the utterly surreal puppet museum, filled with imaginatively dressed characters from Russian folklore. Despite occasionally having to refuse offers of strangers’ vodka on the water’s edge, the nearby Lake Onega is also a fantastic location for swimming and, Russian weather being gloriously hot in June, it’s a great place to top up your tan. In addition, there is a smattering of bars spread throughout the town yet they’re more akin to a small Flares than Gatecrasher. They do, unfortunately, retain the drinks prices of the former.

After a few days, it becomes clear that one of the most amusing pastimes in Petrozavodsk is simply spotting various cultural differences. The most notable is the driving and, on one occasion, we witnessed a driver disregard his brakes and simply stop his vehicle by slamming into a nearby parked car at 40mph. He then proceeded to get out, laugh and begin his afternoon shopping. The famed Russian consumption of alcohol is also notable and it felt odd returning to England and no longer witnessing anyone stumbling out of the local supermarket drinking a beer whilst clutching a 6-pack at 9am.

Visiting Petrozavodsk is ultimately a rewarding linguistic experience as hardly anyone speaks English, and the people are far warmer and more hospitable than the Russian stereotype might suggest. Although the town is of a modest size and fairly dull at first glance, looking closer and finding the quirks and nuances of Russian life makes a trip to this little known part of Russia truly worthwhile.

ITALIANO

© Google Images

Sam Foster Editor

GLI ITALIANI By Sam Foster

In questo articolo, parlerò degli italiani e loro punto di vista verso gli inglesi quando visitano l'Italia. Anche, spiegherò dove c' è di interesante e quello che dovrebbe visitare.

Gli italiani non sono di punto di vista che gli inglesi sono il nemico soprattutto, quando i turisti mostrano che vogliono integrarsi nella vita italiana per le sue vacanze. Gli italiano hanno un problema a volta quando gli inglesi si impongono e hanno il punto di vista arrogante ed egoista che non devono parlare l'italiano, l'inglese è la lingua piu parlata nel mondo allora basta.

In generale, gli italiani e gli inglesi ottengono con l'altro e gli inglesi sono i benvenuti in Italia ed è lo stesso con gli italiani in Inghilterra.

Per quanto riguarda a dove si può visitare in Italia, la verità è che in tutte le città, si può visitare qualcosa di interesante. Per esempio, in Firenze, c' è il Ponte Vecchio, in Roma c' è La Cappella Sistina, etc.

In realtà, l'Italia ha molto da offrire ai turisti e per gli inglesi, purché siano gentile e cercano di integrarsi e di parlare al meno un po' d'italiano, non ci saranno problemi.

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Recipes

© Google Images

Ali Barnes Editor

VODKA SPAGHETTI

ITALIAN ICE CREAM By Maddie Kilminster

From The Really Useful Ultimate Student Cook-

book by Silvana Franco

INGREDIENTS:

      

INGREDIENTS:

100g amaretti biscuits Amaretto liqueur 100g dark chocolate 4 eggs (separated) 100g caster sugar 500ml whipping cream 1 vanilla pod (use the seeds inside)

     

250g spaghetti Small amount of butter 2 chillies, seeded and chopped finely 2 skinned, seeded and chopped tomatoes 4 tablespoons vodka 4 tablespoons double cream

METHOD

METHOD

   

 

  

Crush the amaretti biscuits well and then stir in a small amount of amaretto liqueur Put the mix into the base of a Clingfilm-lined 2litre tub then put it in the freezer Beat egg yolks with the sugar until pale and quite thick In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites till they form stiff peaks, add to the yolk mixture and then divide between 2 bowls Melt the chocolate over a pan of boiling water and add this to one bowl.

To the second bowl add the cream (well whipped), a generous splash of liqueur and the vanilla seeds.

Take the tub out of the freezer and add the chocolate mixture, once levelled out, put the vanilla mixture on top. Put Clingfilm over the top and freeze for at least 12 hours.

 

Cook the pasta in boiling water until done Meanwhile, heat the butter in a small frying pan, once melted, add the chillies and tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes Add the vodka and simmer rapidly for 3 minutes Stir in the cream. Once it begins to boil, turn off the heat and season it with salt and pepper.

Drain the pasta well and then add the sauce Divide between bowls and enjoy!

   SERVES: 2

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Maddie Kilminster............CHAIR

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thelinguist@guild.bham.ac.uk Or madeleinekilminster@hotmail.co.uk (our Chair Maddie Kilminster) www.thelinguistmagazine.org You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter!

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