Issue 10

CÉSAR

SERONT LES

SOUND OF THE BARCELONAN

UNDERGROUND

Issue 10

FEATUREDARTICLE

THE ANCIENT LEGEND

Read about the UoB Linguist Editor Maddie’s recent trip to Rome who found the other side of the ancient city that goes on behind the scenes of the tourist dream.

PAGE 7

OUR TEAM

CHAIR: Maddie Kilminster

SECRETARY AND CURRENT

AFFAIRS: Susanne Hartmann

TREASURER: Joel Mitchell

CREATIVE DESIGN: Adele May

PUBLICITY & RUSSIAN:

Natalia Alyukova

SOCIAL SECRETARY: Kirsten

Peters Roebuck

PROOF READER & TRAVEL:

Yashi Banymadhub

DEPUTY PROOF READER & CULTURE: Clare O’Driscoll

EDITOR’S NOTE

Hi to all readers of The UoB Linguist! We are proud to welcome you to another issue of our magazineforlanguagelearnersandculturevultures.

by Maddie Kilminster

DESIGN ASSISTANT & FOOD AND DRINK: Dom Phipp

LIFE & STYLE: Daisy Lindlar

CHINESE: Nick Lanigan

FRENCH: Pierre Greenhalgh

GERMAN: Catherine Dawkins

GREEK: Susanna Georgiou

ITALIAN: Ciaran Cresswell

JAPANESE: Arisa Lee

OLISH: Pawel Pokorski

PORTUGUESE: Kia Hunt

SPANISH: Olivia Doyle

This issue is bursting with new content from around the globe demonstrating fresh, personal views and experiences of our students. Many of our photographs were taken by the writers themselves. Notably the front cover taken by Kia Hunt, our Portuguese editor. Particularly worth checking out are ‘Je Suis Charlie: The DayTerrorStruckFranceand the World Community’ and ‘Subtitling vs Dubbing: The TroubleofTranslatingFilms’.

We hope you enjoy reading and remember: anyone is welcometojoinandwritefor us whenever you want to fit in around your studies. It doesn’t matter what you study or where you come from, we’d like to hear what you have to say about the world! We are holding elections in Marchfornext year’s teamandwillbeorganisinga workshop soon to give you a flavour of what it’s like to be part of our editorial team. Being a secretary, treasurer, publicity officer, or editor of our many sections is a great way to boost your CV with added skills and to meet amazing people. Feel free to get in touch with us to hear more.

Happy reading!

PAGE 3: CURRENT AFFAIRS

PAGE 5: LIFE & STYLE

PAGE 6: FOOD & DRINK

PAGE 7: TRAVEL

PAGE 9: CULTURE

PAGE 11: FRANÇAIS

PAGE 12: ESPAÑOL

PAGE 12: PORTUGUÊS

PAGE 13: DEUTSCH

PAGE 14: РУССКИЙ

PAGE 15: ITALIANO

PAGE 16: POLSKI

PAGE 17:日本語

PAGE 17: 汉语

PAGE 18: ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

If you would like to know more about our magazine, our writers or have comments to make about our articles then feel free to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages or email us. If you wish to read more articles check out our website. We’re always looking for new writers and contributors, so don’t hesitate to get in touch!

linguist@guild.bham.co.uk

Front Cover: Photograph taken in San Sebastián, El País Vasco, Spain by Kia Hunt

CURRENT AFFAIRS

JE SUIS CHARLIE: THE DAY TERROR STRUCK FRANCE

AND THE WORLD COMMUNITY by Lucie

'Freedom fighters'. 'Heroes'. This is how the victims of this unnameable tragedy have been described. President Hollande said 'These men, this woman died for the idea they had of France, that is to say liberty. Today they are our heroes'.

Wednesday January 7th, at approximately 11:30, three men, heavily armed, barged into Charlie Hebdo newspapers' editorial room, on the second floor of a building they shared with other magazines and various businesses.

Prior to that, the gunmen mistakenly broke into the third floor of the building, reported a journalist writing for another magazine located on the same floor as Charlie Hebdo.

Realising their mistake they finally made their way to the second floor, shot across the room before fleeing the scene in a car, killing 12 people including 2 policemen who were in charge of the journalists' security and wounding another 11 in the process.

Identities of the victims were later revealed and it is with great stupor and shock that we learned that editor-in-chief Charb; cartoonists Cabu, Wolinski, Tignous, Honore; economist Bernard Maris; columnist Elsa Cayat; visiter and former journalist Michel Renaud; copy editor Mustapha Ourrad; building-maintenance worker Frederic Boisseau; and 2 policemen, Ahmed Merabet and Franck Brinsolaro, on duty at the time, all died.

On Friday 8th January, the now identified suspects, two brothers, retreated to a printing house in Dammartin-en-Goele, north -east of Paris. Thankfully, no hostages were killed during the siege. The suspects, the Kouachis brothers, however, were killed during the raid that followed. They had earlier told the police they wanted to die as 'martyrs'.

In the same time, another hostage situation was taking place in Paris in a kosher delicatessen. The perpetrater, soon identified as Amedy Coulibaly, opened fire, killing four people before the police was able to enter the supermarket and put an end to the tragedy. Coulibaly was also killed during the raid.

This put the number of victims to 17 – including the female police officer shot dead by Coulibaly on Thursday 7th January. This is the worst attack to take place on French soil for more than half a century, in terms of both victims and shock.

Former justice minister Robert Badinter said he did not remember a crime of such magnitude ever occurring against journalists.

Support from France and the rest of the world was quickly manifested, whether it was virtual – with the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie (#IamCharlie) becoming one of the world's trending topics – or in form of speeches delivered by artists and politicians.

Marches and vigils have been carried out in France and the rest of the world. The biggest march was carried out on Sunday 11th January, where 1.6 million took to the streets of Paris in the presence of President Hollande and more than 50 politicians having flown from all over the world. It is only the second time in French 5th Republic history that a President has taken the street with his people.

As US State secretary John Kerry said it, in French, in his solidarity speech, 'Aucun pays ne sait mieux que la France que la liberté a un prix. Parce que c'est en France que de nombreux idéaux démocratiques ont vu le jour' (No other country knows better than France that liberty has a price. Because it is in France that numerous democratic ideals were born).

And it is for these ideals that we must not let ignorance and terrorism win. We must always stand up for what we believe in. Today, we all are Charlie.

HE DID NOT REMEMBER A CRIME OF SUCH MAGNITUDE EVER OCCURRING AGAINST JOURNALISTS

P. Norris

AMERICAN LEVIATHAN: HOW THE DEFINITION OF JUSTICE IN

AMERICA HAS CHANGED FOR THE WORSE by Saul Shimmin

The United States Senate report on the treatment of the CIA’s detainees is a paper echo of what was already silently acknowledged within and without the United States. America is not yet the evil empire it once fought, and few nations are devoid of sin. Time will pass and the Senate report will be just another hurried epilogue to maintain appearances. But, the systematic torture of prisoners is the creeping shadow of a far darker turn within American society.

Politics is the act of convincing. As long as men remain compelled by their emotions, then emotions can be used to convince and to galvanise. Where politics exists so does fear, and fear is powerful.

WHERE POLITICS EXISTS SO DOES FEAR

America’s history was in part borne out of fear; the Declaration of Independence was a response to both the grievance and fear of being arbitrarily and excessively punished by the British Monarch.

A society that addresses fears can be beneficial; it can allow a state to envisage future problems, and counteract them pre-emptively. But while the 20th century faded into the next, fear began to mould the American concept of Justice. Justice is perceived in two forms, equality or order. Justice as equality centres on the individual. Each citizen has the right to equal process under law. Justice as order expends the individual for the collective security of society. The state can arbitrarily punish any soul as long as order remains.

The CIA Report, Ferguson, and Eric Garner are all symptoms of America’s shifting perception of Justice. The American police, empowered by both the war on drugs and terror are able to arrest and punish with extreme prejudice. The Washington Post recently published a large exposé on the excessive use of powers by the American police. In the name of attacking drug and terrorist organisations, American police stop citizens at random and seize their property. Such behaviour utterly violates the American constitution’s protection of an individuals’ property against unlawful seizure. This is a fundamental liberty of the American constitution. These arrests raise the profile of that department as it appears to be cracking down on crime. The seized assets become the department’s fund to buy new weaponry. Hence why police departments such as Ferguson, Missouri can afford military hardware. This behaviour has been actively encouraged since 9/11. Recent media exposures of scandals in police conduct have spurned a general response that the end justify the means. The police are justified in their actions by their intent to maintain order.

Since World War Two America has existed under crises. The War on Drugs overlapped the Cold War’s end. It now exists alongside the War on Terror. American society believes it is plagued by enemies both within and without. They are undetectable and infallible in their desire to extinguish the nation. Politicians have continued to create shadow monsters from what are very real issues. Illegal drugs and terrorism are not fantasies. These crises are repeatedly exploited by politicians seeking office. The problem is aggrandised by politicians into a moral tale of America versus the foe. Bush’s “Axis of Evil” is of the same vein. Thus the behaviour of both the CIA and the police is understandable. Neither institution has known a time when their country, from Communist to Jihadist, was not beset by some nemesis. The tactic of exploiting fear, beginning with the Red Scare, has warped America’s mentality, endangering the liberties that bind the nation together.

For anyone interested in the Washington Post articles mentioned, please see below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/10/11/cash-seizures-fuel-police-spending/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/09/07/police-intelligence-targets-cash/

LIFE & STYLE

DISSECTING THE CHIC by

Maddie Kilminster

Does the image of the chic waif French woman have any truth behind it? We all attribute an impossible elegance to the French women who slink around in oversized coats, who smoke Vogues and who, with enviable self-discipline, can coolly leave uneaten fresh bread in the basket on the table of their regular brassérie.

Having lived for over five months in Paris I can testify that this image is not entirely mythical. So what is behind the mystery of the delicacy and grace of French women who glide and dodge between throngs of obese tourists on the metro?

It is not simply genes. It is not the smoking. It is certainly not the ‘small’ portions.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE MYSTERY OF THE DELICACY AND GRACE OF FRENCH WOMEN?

I was in a Parisian restaurant with two other girls and the waiter, having immediately spotted us as punters for his nightly flirting tournament, initiated us into his charm offensive. As he talked us through the menu, he was sure to warn us, with a wink, about the large portion size of what was to come. As we asked for more bread – bear in mind I judge a restaurant by its bread and this place is atop my list – a further caution forced its way out of his smirking lips: “you’ve got to be careful”. As for the question of dessert, the baked camembert to share was plonked onto the table with yet another glib raised eyebrow as he said: “that’s how you stay single” and chuntered to himself on his way back to the kitchen.

The line between harmless teasing and cutting remarks had been thoroughly bent and skewed. Charm ‘offensive’ it certainly was.

This was revealing. We had the feeling that a waiter in Britain would never, with such brutal audacity, cut across all social norms of a waitercustomer relationship by targeting a table of girls and commenting directly on their choice of food and, by extension, their lifestyle. As an idea of flirting this was worlds away from what a British ‘cheeky-chappy’ could get away with.

Perhaps this demonstrates a difference in French perceptions of beauty and health. A dominant ideal seems to be slimness which is to be attained, not through obsessive calculations and exercise, but rather through restraint and the honing of a blasé attitude towards food. Whilst we have The Great British Bake-Off which celebrates whole-heartedly all things substantial and yummy, the French have Qui sera le prochain grand patissier? Which puts candidates through their paces to refine and perfect the art of dessert craftsmanship – something they consider a very serious and pivotal value in their culture.

Nonchalance is built into their nature. To be able to pass an unblinking, weary eye past the tantalising array in a patisserie window and to consider it normal is the recognition of the high standards that they have come to expect from French craftsmanship. By taking it all for granted and resisting temptation to over indulge they preserve and reinforce the elusive French taste and refinement.

FOOD & DRINK

THE SECRET LIFE OF CAFÉ GOURMAND by

Maddie Kilminster

When I was in Paris during my year abroad, this little delicacy served as a treat after a meal or when out and about on the boulevards. Made up of four or five little elements alongside a little expresso, Café Gourmand (meaning a ‘foodie’ coffee) tickles your taste-buds with a palate of different flavours and textures, rebounding off the bitterness of the coffee at all angles. You will find either miniature versions of classics such as crème brulée or a small slice of brownie, a macaron or even a petit fruit salad! It became an obsession of mine to sample as many versions of this dish as possible and rate restaurants based on their spin on it during my time in Paris! You knew you were in a good place when they ordained it with a scoop of ice-cream! For me, this custom truly encapsulates the elegance, the restraint and the flair that the French are best known for. Why don’t you wow your friends by trying this out yourself? You can’t get much better than a little nibble of all your favourite things on one plate!

A WEST INDIAN FAVOURITE by Dominique Phipp

Over the Christmas break I spent a month visiting my parents in the Caribbean on the little known tropical island of Nevis. Nevis has been known by many names throughout its history; ‘Oualie’ in pre-Columbian times meaning ‘land of beautiful waters’, ‘Dulcina’ by its first English settlers, meaning ‘Sweet One’ and finally ‘Nevis’: an abbreviated form of ‘Nuestra Senora de las Nieves’ which means ‘Our Lady of the Snows’. Previously a Crown Colony of the British Empire, having been one of the earliest Caribbean islands settled by European migrants, Nevis is now a federal two-island country with its neighbour St Kitts. Today, the assorted locality of this paradise consists of Nevisians, Kittians, Europeans, Americans and West Indians from other islands, giving the island a uniquely multi-cultural and welcoming atmosphere. The island is still unspoiled due to a lack of commercial industry or urbanisation, unlike many other locations in the Caribbean Sea, and instead its natural tropical beauty is preserved – yet it is largely unknown by tourists. Because of this, when I’m in Nevis my first question to people I meet is always ‘how did you discover the island?’ The most common answers involve family relations or recommendations from friends, as only real explorers can find this exotic spot on their own.

While I was there in December, I went to a traditional Nevisian cooking class. ‘Traditional’ in the sense that we drank beer throughout, cooked in my teacher’s cluttered kitchen and followed no recipe, so we just guestimated all of our measurements! We produced a typical Caribbean dish called ‘Goat Water’ with dumplings. It may sound disgusting – I thought it would be! – But it turned out to be really delicious and much like a good old English stew. My cooking coach was vegetarian, but told me that he often cooks with meat for others, and shared that he never tastes his cooking because he cooks so often that he already knows it tastes delicious. If you are anything less than a very experienced chef I wouldn’t encourage following his example! The recipe below is his own and therefore has no measurements, but I have tried to break it down into a ratio for your ease! Happy Cooking!

RECIPE: GOAT WATER WITH DUMPLINGS

GOATWATER:(ADDTOLARGESTSAUCEPANINORDERGIVEN)

 Small amount of oil

 1 part diced onions and 2 parts finely diced garlic (sautéed)

 2 parts goat pieces (bones and all for the best flavour). If you don’t have access to goat, lamb is just as yummy!

 ½ tsp ground ginger

 Pinch of cumin powder

 ½ tsp coriander

Add more to taste!

 Pinch of ground pepper and salt

 Enough water to cover all the ingredients

 1 bay leaf

 1 part chopped carrots, small chunks

 2 parts chopped breadfruit, large chunks

(Potatoes, yams or perhaps even aubergines will make good substitutes!)

Simmer for 20 minutes or until cooked to your liking.

DUMPLINGS:

Puree in a blender:

 2 tbsps water

 2 parts diced onion

 1 part diced garlic

Knead this puree into a ball with 3 parts flour. Form tiny grape-sized balls and drop directly into your pan of boiling stew. Needs about 510 mins cooking time – they are ready when they float!

TRAVEL

Rome, if you are a tourist — if you are happy with this identity and go into the experience with a pigeon level of Italian, legs and feet of steel and a dogmatic, unswerving preconception of it as the city of love – will certainly seduce you. The impossible deliciousness of street pizza, the imposing marvel of churches, and the passionate song that dances out of the mouths of the locals will beguile anyone.

It is true that a panoramic view from the heights of Villa Medici across the coffeestained roofs punctuated with spires, domes and pines has the majesty of a glorious oil-painting. However the once immaculate purity of the paint is now beginning to crack. There is not a modern building to be seen and any building projects sit unfinished and forlorn under tarpaulin somewhere. Rome clings onto the glory that was Ancient Rome like a relic of a late loved-one. This is all she has.

Of course, this is exactly what the punters want. That panoramic sea of terracotta would not pack half the punch if it were polluted by high-rise glass and concrete monstrosities. But for this dedicated preservation of the past, the Romans pay a high price.

In a place whose name derives from romance itself there is, rather, a dirty tragedy playing itself out behind the scenes. One cannot help but notice the glaring contrast between the blindingly pristine façades of the church and the rotting, mucky wayside of the streets which form an unfortunate underbelly to the holiness. On these streets shuffle a hopeless, lifeless drudge of homeless and migrants proffering pleading, shaking hands to passers-by. The journey into the city by train reveals actual shanties sprouting up on the river beds and huddling under the over-passes.

It is not only through the rises of seats in the Colosseum that you see a reflection of the old societal hierarchy but rather these same patterns of feudal rule are realising themselves today on the streets of the capital. Whilst the Church reigns unchallenged from its marble throne, benefitting from all the guilt-driven efforts and funds that the lowly earthlings pour into it, many of its people are relegated into an impoverished grapple for survival. For many, of course, the best refuge is found snug in the pockets of the tourists who swan in and flap cash around from their superior economies in a carefree holiday trance. Like ailing vultures the beggars appeal to you with their frowning eyes.

Public transport has also suffered neglect under the new old world order. Banished to the roads is an infestation of insects buzzing between lanes, blurting out burps of fumes and battling each other as if in a crazed stock car race. Driving in Rome demands a whole other way of thinking; they have taken a completely different examination which teaches them that lanes are imaginary concepts sent by the devil to tempt us, that the body-work of their cars is purpose-built for cage fighting and that what constitutes a parking space is two free metres of tarmac.

A trip to Rome is two things: the realisation of a wonderful ancient legend in modern times but at the same time an eye-opener to the inequality of life and the ill truth which can be eclipsed by beauty.

TRAVEL

AMSTERDAM’S LIGHT FESTIVAL by Kirsten Peters Roebuck

For the third winter in a row, Amsterdam and her trademark canals are aglow with captivating artworks by Europe's most innovative light artists. More than just the usual Christmas displays, the Amsterdam Light Festival seeks to capture the spirit of the city through displays and installations designed to provoke thought and make passersby reflect on what Amsterdam means to them.

STOCK AND TRADE OF THIS LIBERAL AND WELCOMING METROPOLIS

A leisurely seventy minute boat cruise around the central canals and the Amstel river after nightfall is the best way to see the festival in all of its glory. Glowing tulips rise from the water powered by pumps operated by interested pedestrians on the quayside – a reminder of the city's tulip mania in the 1600s, uniform bridges turn to undulating cosmoses and neon signs demanding attention remind passers-by that 'This is It' and to 'Be Here Now', before switching off as they draw closer.

Technology sees itself put to use in original and unlikely ways. An enormous revolving heart made of 178 glass bottles representing the 178 nations the city plays host to, picks up the nationality of smartphone users in its vicinity and displays their country's flag. The message of '178 Bottles, 1 Message' is one of love and inclusivity – a stock and trade of this liberal and welcoming metropolis. Another installation that made a deep impression was House of Cards, which takes pride of place in front of the central station. Designed by an Israeli artist, the illuminated house of cards stands as a metaphor for both the fragility and sturdiness of a city – a testament to the complex structures that ensure the house remains standing. Each card in the deck has been designed by a different international street artist with a link to Amsterdam and the mosaic of perspectives renders this one of the most striking pieces of the festival.

While the festival draws to a close of January 18th, it is sure to return bigger and brighter than ever later this year. The perfect antidote to the post-Christmas blues and an inspiring start to the New Year, the Amsterdam Light Festival is the ideal cherry on top of a winter trip to Amsterdam.

CULTURE

SUBTITLING VS DUBBING: THE TROUBLE OF TRANSLATING FILMS

by Jenny Nicholls

The translation of film and TV dialogue can be significantly more awkward than that of written material, and there are multiple ways of approaching the task.

Dubbing is the preferred option in many European countries where large singlelanguage audiences can justify the production cost – France, Germany, Italy and Spain, for example. There are historical reasons for the choice: France initially favoured dubbing in order to protect the French language against foreign influence, and dubbing was chosen in the 1930s dictatorships in Spain, Germany and Italy to strengthen the sense of national identity through a common language.

Even in countries that usually subtitle, children’s films and TV programmes are dubbed, as the target audience has limited reading skills. The process involves voice actors re-recording dialogue in the target language, and in most cases the only restriction is that the translated dialogue has to last the same length as the original, so the dubbed dialogue doesn’t ‘bleed’ over and carry on after the on-screen actor’s mouth stops moving. Lip-synchronisation is no longer considered necessary in European countries, where audiences have become accustomed to the mismatch of sound and mouth movement.

FRANCE INITIALLY FAVOURED DUBBING IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE FRENCH LANGUAGE

Subtitling is preferred in Portugal, The Netherlands and Scandinavian countries, among others, mainly because the relatively inexpensive cost is more viable for small audiences. It is quite a challenge to express dialogue in subtitles. Conventions can vary, but translators are usually restricted to two lines of around 35 characters on screen at a time, so that the text is big enough but does not obscure the picture. Each set of subtitles must stay on the screen for at least six seconds, requiring translations to be hugely compressed.

The number of film and TV programme imports is just as influential on translation method as audience size. At one end of the scale, the US industry prefers to completely remake foreign productions rather than translate them, because subtitles are unpopular and, where dubbing might be used, audiences insist on complete lip-synchronisation – an extremely difficult task that makes shooting a new version the easiest option. An exception to this is animated films, which are easier to synchronise and can therefore arrive with no trace of ‘foreignness’. At the other end of the scale, countries such as Poland and Hungary import so many English-language programmes that a quick and cheap technique called lectoring is used. This involves a single voice ‘narrating’ over the dialogue of all characters, while the original language track is still audible underneath; it serves more as a check of understanding than a full translation.

Those who favour dubbing argue that subtitles distract from the visual image and prevent immersion and entertainment, but the choice of translation method has consequences far beyond the viewing experience. Studies have shown that the standard of English is higher in countries that use subtitles, because viewers are exposed to the language through the many imported English-language films and TV programmes - whereas dubbing erases and replaces the original audio.

There may also be an impact on the creation of films. The 'Bergman effect', named after the Swedish director, refers to how the awareness of export potential affects writers and filmmakers. In Bergman’s case, the films he intended for an international audience had a significantly more succinct dialogue that was easier to convert into subtitles.

Translation method is chosen based on audience size, historical circumstances and film import levels, but the choice affects much more than the viewing experience. It has an impact on national industry, language acquisition and even the style of filmmakers, becoming entrenched in, and influencing, national culture.

SOUND OF THE BARCELONAN UNDERGROUND

by Adele May

Navigating public transport for the first time in a new country is always unknown territory. On a recent trip to Barcelona, my travelling buddy and I (two self-declared country folk) decided to be brave and take the metro on our very first day in the city. Armed with our map and day passes and looking like the very epitome of tourists, we descended the steps into the metro expecting the hustle and bustle of an ordinary underground system. What we didn’t know is that we were going to stumble upon the unique musical culture of the Barcelonan metro.

A HUB TO CELEBRATE THE MUSICAL CULTURE OF THEIR CITY

Sitting on our first train from where we were staying in Sants Estacio, we were travelling 5 stops to the Sagrada Familia, a beautiful Roman Catholic church designed by one of Barcelona’s famous sons Antoni Gaudí and one of the most visited cultural landmarks in Barcelona. At the second stop on our journey, a couple entered the carriage holding big items covered mysteriously with material. We were puzzled by what was happening but quickly went back to discussing our day’s itinerary. Then, all of a sudden, we were interrupted by the most beautiful music playing from the other end of carriage by that same couple whom it turned out had brought onto the train an accordion and cello. After finishing their song they walked through the carriage collecting money for their music and promptly left the train at the next stop.

Thus we were introduced to Barcelona busking. It should be noted that the word busker in fact actually comes from the Spanish word “buscar” meaning “to seek” as buskers are playing to seek both fame and fortune. Barcelona helps eliminate the stereotype of buskers being associated with homelessness, as the city is not only proud of such musicians but also encourages them to “seek” fame and fortune. The Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona started a project 12 years ago allowing suitable musicians to apply for licenses to play in the subway system. This project has transformed the Barcelonan metro into not only a means of transport but a hub to celebrate the musical culture of their city.

Our experience with buskers did not end with our first journey, we witnessed them both travelling on other train journeys throughout our visit and also in the underpasses entering the metro stations. We were even treated to a father and son duet of a Beatles medley on our train to the airport at the end of our trip which definitely earned the 3 euros I gave them. What struck me most about these musicians is that whilst they were playing to earn money from tourists such as myself, they all seemed so happy to be just sharing their music with the general public. One male accordion player on one journey played with so much joy that he caused the whole carriage to laugh along with him and to leave us all with a smile on our face and a story to tell.

Many people remember their visit to Barcelona for the cultural landmarks such as Gaudi’s architecture or Plaça de Catalunya but if you ever find yourself in the city, make sure you check out the music of Barcelona’s underground.

FRANÇAIS

UN LONG DIMANCHE DE FIANÇAILLES (2004) par Pierre Greenhalgh

Un siècle après la Trêve de Noël, notre société se souvient encore des horreurs de la Première Guerre Mondiale. Un long dimanche de fiançailles, réalisé par Jean-Pierre Jeunet (l’homme derrière Amélie et Delicatessen), est un film typique du genre de la guerre : sombre, triste et choquant. Aidé par les talents de l'icône française Audrey Tatou, ce film se révèle être tout simplement dans la liste des plus beaux films français.

Tatou joue une jeune femme qui surmonte ses handicaps physiques dans une tentative pour trouver ce qui est arrivé à son fiancé pendant les combats. Elle rencontre plein de gens qui sont à la fois prêts de l’aider et de la déstabiliser. Pour le spectateur, c’est son espoir charmant qui rend le film si engageant ; une héroïne déterminée et pleine de vivacité qui arrive à résoudre un puzzle avec la même sérénité intelligente qu’on voit dans Amélie. Un moment surprenant pour moi est de voir Jodie Foster dans le rôle d’une veuve d’un des autres soldats : son français est tellement admirable qu’on ne la reconnait pas.

En utilisant les couleurs douces dans ce film, Jean-Pierre Jeunet arrive à évoquer une sensation du passé et maintient ses qualités surréalistes. Les scènes dans les tranchées sont bien contrastées avec celles dans les villes et la civilisation ; les couleurs ne changent pas mais la transmission entre la misère des soldats et le désespoir de la jeune femme est efficacement réalisé. En tout, ce film est touchant, satisfaisant et arrive à démontrer la terreur de la guerre sans trop exploiter les scènes d’action.

CÉSAR 2015: QUI SERONT LES GAGNANTS? par Katya

Browne

Depuis 1976, le public français a tenu aux César, car ils symbolisent la longévité et l’importance du cinéma national. On voit en 2015 l’édition quarantième de la cérémonie, qui aura lieu cette année au Théâtre du Châtelet à Paris, le 20 février. Des acteurs, des réalisateurs et toute l’élite de l’industrie française du film vont remplir les sièges du théâtre. Toute l’action passera au chaîne Canal +. Mais plus important, qui va présider la cérémonie? Ce sera Dany Boon, l’humoriste et réalisateur derrière Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis, le film qui a battu presque plein de records du box-office en France. Donc, Boon est bien préparé d’animer cette célébration de la diversité et le succès du cinéma français. Il suit un tas de célébrités qui ont présidé la cérémonie pendant les années récentes, y compris les actrices Marion Cotillard et Jodie Foster ainsi que l’humoriste Jamel Debbouze.

ON VOIT EN 2015 L’ÉDITION QUARANTIÈME DE LA CÉRÉMONIE

Puisqu’on annoncera les nominations le 28 janvier, il est l’heure de considérer les gagnants potentiels de ces prix prestigieux, la version française des Oscars. Attendu que les nominées ne sont pas encore dévoilées, on ne peut que spéculer : mais les gagnants du festival de Cannes peuvent nous fournir une idée. Un film, pourtant, qui n’a pas été invité à Cannes est Adieu au langage de Jean-Luc Godard, lequel avait toujours un rapport difficile avec le festival. Ce film bien expérimental et éclatant en 3D a divisé ses critiques, mais peut-être qu’il sera reconnu finalement par le comité des César. D’autres films à considérer incluent Party Girl de Marie Amachoukeli, un drame social sur une entraîneuse de soixante ans dans une boîte de nuit, qui a gagné les prix ‘Un certain regard’ et ‘Caméra d’Or’ à Cannes 2014. Finalement, on peut suggérer que le court-métrage Aïssa de Clément Trehin-Lalanne, l’histoire d’une immigrée africaine, aurait du succès aux César à cause de son pertinence contemporaine indéniable. De toute façon, les César nous montrent toujours une sélection de films excitants, originaux et vraiment français ; les films qui seront choisi cette année-ci ne vont pas sans doute nous décevoir.

ESPAÑOL

LA MAGIA DE CUENCA por Kia Marie Hunt

El año pasado, visité a mi amiga Mariadel para vivir con ella y su familia en España. Aunque tengo muchos recuerdos de lugares maravillosos que visitamos en la región histórica de La Mancha, hay uno en particular que destaca: la bonita ciudad de Cuenca.

ES REALMENTE UN ESPECTÁCULO MÁGICO PARA LA VISTA

El nombre ‘Cuenca’ se refiere a la geografía de la ciudad; una cuenca es un barrio hundido y rodeado de montañas. Esta geografía crea un paisaje impresionante. Por ejemplo, una de las características más famosas de la zona son las Casas Colgadas. Las Casas Colgadas son una serie de viviendas edificadas suspendidas en el borde de los acantilados escarpados por encima de la garganta del río Huécar en el siglo XV. Otro rasgo de esta ciudad es el Puente de San Pablo, un puente construido originalmente en 1533 que conecta la ciudad vieja con el convento de San Pablo. El puente tiene una altura de 40 metros y permite ver Las Casas Colgadas desde abajo.

Estar de pie debajo de estas construcciones y mirar hacia ellas tan precariamente equilibradas, es realmente un espectáculo mágico para la vista. Aquí hay una fotografía panorámica, en que intenté capturar la magia de esa escena, pero esta no le hace justicia. Personalmente, recomiendo de todo corazón que pongas Cuenca en tu lista de lugares para visitar, de modo que puedas experimentar por tí mismo.

PORTUGUÊS

UM CASAMENTO DIFFERENTE por Ana Almeida

Foi uma tragédia na noite com desastre após desastre, mas agora, sentados á volta da mesa, as gargalhadas influenciadas pelo vinho verde não param de vir ao tentar compreender a pouca sorte dos meus pais na sua noite de casamento. Foi um casamento bastante pobrezinho, feito com um impréstimo, que mesmo assim não lhes chegou. A minha mãe, só de vinte anos que já estava grávida comigo, começou por enfrentar o primeiro obstáclo antes do casamento: o meu avô. Ele era um homen tradicional, que apareceu em casa, horas antes do casamento com a cara pisada após uma forte bebedeira, causada pela angustia de ver a sua filha preferida saír da sua vida para começar a sua própria familia. Depois da cerimónia, toca á hora de jantar, e foi aí que aconteceu o segundo desastre; o leitão, que era para ser um dos pratos principais foi roubado. Tendo isto em conta, o leitão não foi a única coisa a desaparecer. Depois de descalçar-se para poder dançar comfortavelmente, foram roubados os sapatos da noiva. Contudo, depois de dasaparecer o jantar e os sapátos com os convidados, os meus pais vieram a descubrir que, devido a estragos e um problema nos pagamentos, eles, no seu proprio casamento teriam que ficar até tarde a lavar a loiça para ajustar as contas. Cansados e desiludidos com o casamento, no carro emprestado de uns amigos seguiram para um hotel na mesma cidade que seria a sua lua de mel, só para vir a descubrir que as portas do carro não destrancavam e a noiva teria que ser puxada pela janela do carro se quisesse saír. Depois dos seus esforços e cansaço, quando chegaram ao seu quarto de lua de mel, vieram a dar com a ultima surpresa; Duas camas de solteiro separadas.

El centro de la ciudad encantadora, con sus edificios coloridos y la Catedral de Cuenca.

DEUTSCH

DEUTSCHER FUSSBALL: EINFACH BESSER ALS

IN ENGLAND von Michael Richards

Letztes Jahr fand die zwanzigste Fußballweltmeisterschaft in Brasilien statt und wurde zum vierten Mal von der deutschen Fuβballnationalmannschaft gewonnen. Deutschland hat die anderen Mannschaften hinweggefegt und insbesondere gegen Brasilien hat die deutsche Mannschaft eine verheerende Demonstration von offensiven Fähigkeiten gezeigt und das obwohl Brasilien die erfolgreichste Nationalmannschaft ist, da sie die Weltmeistermeisterschaft bereits fünfmal gewonnen hat. Diese Mannschaft ist die aktuelle ‚Goldene Generation‘ aus deutschem Talent, das in den Vordergrund rückt. In der letzten Weltmeisterschaft war Deutschland Drittplatzierter und Zweitplatzierter und Drittplatzierter in den EM-Turnieren 2008 und 2012. Es gab Gerüchte, dass diese Mannschaft keine Chance auf einen Sieg hätte. Aber die Kritiker wurden eines besseren belehrt, als Mario Götze – ein männliches Aushängeschild aus der neuen ‚Goldenen Generation‘ – ein Tor per Direktabnahme gegen Argentinien schoss. Deutschland brach in Hysterie aus wegen des Sieges. Lassen Sie uns diesen Sieg mit der Mannschaft aus der Heimat des Fußballs vergleichen. Enttäuschend verlässt die englische Mannschaft den Wettbewerb mit nur einem Punkt und zwei Toren. Zwar stimmt es, dass es sozusagen eine Art Übergangsphase für unsere Mannschaft war aber wir spielten gegen eine alternde italienische Mannschaft, gegen Uruguay, die nicht sehr fit und launenhaft spielten, und Costa Rica, die die einzige Mannschaft in der Gruppe ohne einen Weltmeisterschaftssieg war und folglich als „Underdog“ eingestuft wurde. Der Underdog hat die Gruppe gewonnen und England flog zurück nach nur 10 Tagen. Wie war es möglich, dass eine Mannschaft mit ihrer eigenen ‚Goldenen Generation‘ während der 2000er an der ersten Auftaktetappe scheiterte?

DA NUR 36% AUS DER ANFANGSELF FÜR ENGLAND SPIELEN DÜRFTEN

Viele Journalisten streiten darüber, ob es ein Problem der Premier League, da es jetzt so viel importiertes Talent gibt und deswegen immer weniger Nachwuchs aus dem eigenen Land. Deswegen habe ich recherchiert, wie viel Fußballspieler in Spielwoche 6 (September 27. bis zum 29.) von der Anfangself von jeder Mannschaft in der Premier League für England spielen dürften. Die Statistik ist bedenklich, da nur 36% aus der Anfangself für die englische Nationalmannschaft spielen durften. Mit einem Fokus auf die Spieler des Vereinigten Königreiches steigt die Statistik gerade mal auf 48%. Weniger als die Hälfte aus der Anfangself kommt somit aus dem Vereinigten Königreich. Im Vergleich zur Bundesliga gibt es 48% aus der Anfangself, die aus Deutschland kommen. Wenn man das deutschsprachige Österreich und die benachbarte Schweiz mit einschließt, steigt die Statistik auf 58%. Der Unterschied zwischen dem Nachwuchs in der Premier League und in der Bundesliga wird durch den Erfolg der Nationalmannschaften gespiegelt. Die Spieler haben größer Wettbewerb und die deutschen Mannschaften haben mehr nationalen Nachwuchs im Vergleich zu denen, die in der Champions League spielen. Im Vergleich zur Premier League gab es nur einen englischen Spieler (James Milner) unter den amtierenden Titelträgern der bei Manchester City spielt. Liverpool, der Zweitplatzierte, hat nur vier in seiner Anfangself. Bayern München, die amtierenden Titelträger in der Bundesliga, haben fünf (jeder hat eine Weltmeistermedaille) und Dortmund, die Zweitplatzierten, haben sechs (vier davon haben eine Weltmeistermedaille – obwohl Reus auch eine gehabt hätte, wenn er nicht verletzt gewesen wäre). Sowohl Bayern als auch Dortmund haben Manchester City und Arsenal in der ersten Woche der Champions League besiegt. Die Bundesliga ist jetzt so stark wie die Nationalmannschaft und wenn England mehr Weltmeisterschafsiege hätte, sollte die Premier League mit der Bundesliga verglichen werden. Die Anwesenheit von nationalem Nachwuchs in einer Liga ist deswegen in einer starken Korrelation mit dem Erfolg der Nationalmannschaft. Es ist kein Zufall. Man muss nur Spanien fragen.

РУССКИЙ

ЛЕВИАФАН

ХОЛОДНЫЙРАСЧЕТИЛИВЫСОКОЕ

Недавно вышедший фильм А. Звягинцева, основанный на библейской истории Иова, не только был принят западными кинокритиками, но и вызвал противоречивую реакцию русской аудитории. Библейский образ чудовища Левиафана использован в качестве метафоры и может представлять собой как государственную машину, крушащую все на своем пути, или же неподвластные обычному человеку силы обстоятельств, работающие против него. Этот фильм обнажает идею безнадежности и невозможности противостоять року, уничтожающему человеческую природу и свободу.

Фильм был преставлен на Каннском фестивале и номинирован на всевозможные награды в Европе и Америке, получил Золотой Глобус за “Лучший иностранный фильм”, а также позитивные отзывы иностранных кинокритиков. Изображение современного русского народа, культуры и коррупции, в сочетании с сильным сценарием, поднимающим темы судьбы и роли Бога в жизни обычного человека, и высоким уровнем кинематографа были встречены с интересом аудиторией вне России. Однако реакция самих россиян была очень неоднозначной. И фильм, и позитивные отзывы внешней аудиторией были восприняты весьма критично.

«Левиафан», по мнению некоторых представителей русского сообщества, не является корректной репрезентацией современного общества, и некоторые элементы выглядят как утрированный стереотипы страны. Высказано мнение, что фильм был снят для запада в целом, а не для собственных граждан, поскольку показанная картинка совпадает с всеобщим представлении о России, и россиянам не по вкусу столь негативная окраска, да и история в целом.

Еще до выхода фильма в прокат в интернете появились бесчисленные пиратские копии без цензуры (для официального показа в России было принято решение исключить всю нецензурную лексику). В итоге не только обычные зрители, но даже журналисты и представители журналов ознакомились с фильмом и прокомментировали еще до официального выхода в прокат. Была высказана теория, что фильм не только был направлен за западную аудиторию, но слив пиратских копий в интернет был пиарским ходом.

RUSSIAN LANGUAGE FOR ENGLISH SPEAKERS by Natalia Alyukova

For English speakers (or speakers of most non-Slavonic languages) Russian is one of the most difficult languages to learn for several major reasons. Russian is ‘special’ because of its Cyrillic script, which is very different from Latin that is the dominant script in most of the countries. It’s easy to see the differences on the example of Russian and English languages. Russian alphabet consists of 33 letters, as opposed to the English one that only has 26 letters. What’s more confusing is the fact that some of the letters look exactly the same, such as ‘M’, ‘C’, ‘A’, ‘H’, yet they rarely express the same sounds. For example, the English ‘H’ stands for Russian version of ‘N’, and what’s ‘P’ for English is an ‘R’ for Russians. It’s just a couple of examples that show why learning Russian for English speakers would seem more challenging than learning French or even German.

Unlike English, Russian is very phonetic, which makes it a bit easier for learning. On the other hand, its grammar is even more complex than German, because there are three genders and six cases, and a pile of exceptions for any rule. But before trying to find your way in the grammar woods, you might find it useful to learn how to roll your ‘r’s properly, pronounce all the letters in the word, learn that ‘Я’ is not a reflected ‘R’ but actually means ‘me, myself, I’ in Russian and is pronounced like ‘ya’. There are also extra letters such as ‘Ж’ (the sound ‘zh’) and ‘З’ (no, it’s not a three, it’s actually a Russian version of ‘Z’), and the English ‘W’ and ‘V’ sounds become one in Russian ‘В’.

So, if one day you feel adventurous and think you can finally roll your ‘r’s, you can have a lot of fun trying to remember letters that look vaguely familiar (‘T’) or don’t make any sense to your Latin writing habits (‘Д'). Удачи!

ИСКУССТВО? автор НатальяАлюкова

CREDIT: 2014—Sony Pictures Classics

ITALIANO

I GENITORI CRIMINALI di Henry Wakelam

Se i genitori dei bambini gay, lesbiche, bisessuali e transessuali non rispettano e non abbracciano i loro bambini, dovrebbero essere puniti? Sono criminali?

Alla fine dell’anno scorso, Leelah Alcorn, una ragazza transessuale, si è suicidata perché i suoi genitori non hanno mai accettato che lei fosse una ragazza. Ha scritto una lettera d’addio su Tumblr che spiega suoi problemi. Dopo 10 anni di confusione Leelah ha scoperto di essere transessuale e di non essere sola. Peraltro sua madre non era felice come lei e le disse che era solamente una fase, che Dio non commette errori. Poi, sua madre l’ha mandata da uno psicologo cristiano, per tentare di eliminare il suo transessualismo. Per capire tutto ciò che è successo, vi incoraggio a leggere il suo post su Tumblr o questo articolo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Death_of_Leelah_Alcorn

Per tutte le persone LGBT, i genitori possono avere un effetto grande sulla vita. Quando le persone decidono di diventare genitori, oppure adottare o prendere un bambino in affidamento, hanno la responsabilità di amare senza condizioni, perché quando non abbiamo gli amici, abbiamo la famiglia.

Se i genitori rifiutano i loro bambini per la loro sessualità o il loro sesso, secondo me, dovrebbero essere puniti. L’omofobia e la transfobia sono definiti come un crimino di odio, perciò qualcuno che è omofobo o transfobo, inclusi i genitori, viola la legge. Penso che sia necessario ridefinire la legge per proteggere tutti i bambini da tutti tipi di crimine, e per essere sicuri che il sacrificio di Leelah Alcorn non sia stato invano. Inoltre, che succederà se i fratelli di Leelah non conformano al modello voluto dai loro genitori? Vogliamo che la storia si ripeti?

Dov’è la giustizia per i bambini che soffrono quotidianamente?

Che Leelah Alcorn, una bambina con i genitori criminali, riposi in pace.

MEANINGFUL di Catrin Westerland MAURILIO MANARA: MISOGYNISTIC OR

Maurilio Manara, professionally known as ‘Milo Manara’, is an extremely provocative Italian artist and writer who specialises in comic book illustration and erotica. I first discovered him through his work on the album cover of the Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro’s second studio album, “The Vertigo of Bliss”. Having never before come across such a grounding and proud form of personal escapism, my first reaction was to dismiss this sort of artwork as vulgar. However, mid-way through my inner rant, I tripped myself up, and began thinking about what this picture was actually saying. Who indeed was I to say that such lustful images were unfit for the public eye? As a hardy left-winger and firm believer in freedom of speech and expression, nobody.

Upon closer examination and with this (fractionally) more open minded approach, I began to feel that it was unhealthier of me to be disgusted by these nudes than it was to appreciate the lack of censorship and self-control contained within them.

I can’t help but to relate the Italian culture of indulgence to their uninhibited and unashamed personalities. This is not only reflected in the Italian language itself, but also the rich history of artistry, identity and innovation. Seen in this way, the paintings become about the celebration of women rather than the possession of them.

The women in Manara’s work are not faceless objects but powerful, enchanting characters. The subject matter, if shocking, demands to be admired; and in many ways that is part of the reason one struggles to avert their eyes. This representation challenges contemporary materialistic and consumer-orientated ways of looking at the female form, while still maintaining the simplistic voyeurism of admiration and attraction. The significance of such a depiction lies within the human desire for fantasy and a very real need to maintain a realistic idea of what female sexuality is.

POLSKI

IMIGRACJA I POLACY Pawel Pokorski

W badaniu The Guardian i IMC opublikowanym w drugiej połowie 2014 roku 46% Brytyjczyków wskazało imigrację jako źródło ich głównych niepokojów. Negatywne nastroje w stosunku do imigrantów są podsycane przez wystąpienia Davida Camerona, który mówi o niesprawiedliwości europejskiego systemu świadczeń społecznych, podając za przykład sytuację, w której dziecko Polaka mieszkającego w Anglii może otrzymywać zasiłek nawet przebywając poza granicami Wielkiej Brytanii. W tym kontekście przestaje dziwić popularność Partii Niepodległości Nigela Farage’a, która opowiada się za zaostrzeniem prawa imigracyjnego i wycofaniem Wielkiej Brytanii z Unii Europejskiej. Taki scenariusz nie jest niemożliwy – David Cameron już obiecał, że jeśli jego partia ponownie dojdzie do władzy po wyborach w tym roku, to odbędzie się referendum nad wystąpieniem Wielkiej Brytanii z Unii Europejskiej.

Jest szereg argumentów, które przeciwnicy imigracji wymieniają jako mające usprawiedliwiać twardszą politykę wobec przybyszów: jednym z głównych jest teza o tym, że imigranci są przyciągani do Wielkiej Brytanii przez jej hojny system opieki społecznej, z dość wysokim w porównaniu z innymi krajami zasiłkiem dla bezrobotnych. Kolejnym argumentem jest to, że imigranci, szczególnie Ci z Europy wschodniej, często podejmują się w Anglii nisko płatnych zawodów i są gotowi wykonać je za niższą stawkę niż Brytyjczycy. To z kolei, według krytyków otwartej polityki imigracyjnej, prowadzi do sytuacji, w której Brytyjczycy są zmuszeni zaakceptować niższą wypłatę za swoją pracę, co sprawia, że wielu z nich decyduje się zostać na bezrobociu. Trzecim często pojawiającym się argumentem jest teza o kulturowej nieprzystawalności imigrantów, co niszczy poczucie narodowej jedności i zamienia kraj w przypadkowe skupisko niemających wiele ze sobą wspólnego ludzi.

W tym artykule chciałbym przyjrzeć się krótko tym trzem tezom i sprawdzić, czy mają one odzwierciedlenie w sytuacji Polaków na Wyspach.

Jeśli chodzi o hojność brytyjskiego systemu opieki społecznej to statystyki przeczą tezie, aby był to główny powód przyjazdu Polaków na Wyspy: okazuje się, że jest 20% bardziej prawdopodobne, że Polak mieszkający w Wielkiej Brytanii ma pracę niż Brytyjczyk. Ogromna większość Polaków w wieku pracującym, bo aż 81%, ma pracę, w porównaniu z 63% brytyjskiej populacji w wieku pracującym (obie statystyki pochodzą z badania wykonanego przez Narodowe Biuro Statystyk). Te dane potwierdzają moje własne obserwacje jako Polaka mieszkającego w Anglii już od prawie czterech lat –prawdę mówiąc, nie znam ani jednego rodaka, który byłby na bezrobociu: wszyscy moi polscy znajomi albo studiują, albo mają pracę. Nie oznacza to, że problem nadmiernego wykorzystania systemu świadczeń społecznych nie istnieje, ale ta sama statystyka wydaje się sugerować, że problem dotyczy określonych grup wśród społeczeństwa brytyjskiego, a nie imigrantów.

Co do drugiego, powiązanego argumentu o tym, że nadmierna imigracja sprawia, że płace spadają, to wydaje się on omijać fakt, że w Anglii istnieje płaca minimalna, która zresztą co roku wzrasta zgodnie z inflacją. Nie jest zatem możliwe, oile dana osoba nie pracuje nielegalnie, aby jej płaca była mniejsza niż określone ustawowe minimum. Inną kwestią jest to, że Polacy w Anglii podejmują szereg prac, także tych bardzo dobrze płatnych: stereotyp Polaka przyjeżdżającego do Anglii, aby pracować w fabryce lub na zmywaku staje się coraz bardziej daleki od rzeczywistości, mając szczególnie na uwadze coraz lepszą sytuację ekonomiczną w Polsce.

Wreszcie odnosząc się do trzeciego argumentu o kulturowych różnicach: mam wrażenie, że trudno znaleźć dzisiaj kraj w zachodniej Europie, który byłby kulturowo jednolity – kulturowa różnorodność jest znakiem naszych czasów i bezpośrednim oraz wydaje się nieuniknionym skutkiem globalizacji. Inną sprawą jest to, że Brytyjczycy wydają się dość pozytywnie odbierać Polaków: artykuł w The Times wskazuje na naszą gotowość do asymilacji i chęć nauki języka angielskiego.

Podsumowując: imigranci nie są tacy straszni jak ich malują! Pozostaje mieć nadzieję, że Brytyjczycy wezmą to pod uwagę głosując nad ewentualnym wycofaniem Wielkiej Brytanii z UE.

CREDIT: The Guardian/Alamy

日本語

鍋料理は色々あるが、体が温まる家庭の味は一つ 李亜莉沙

寒い冬には定番の夕飯であるのは鍋料理。お鍋がなぜ,どの家庭でも定番な のは具材をたくさん入れ、具の旨みを出して、簡単に作られるからだと思い ます。しかも、鍋物には種類があって、ちゃんこ鍋や、すき焼きや、おで ん。しかし、お鍋と言うのはご飯だけじゃなく、イギリスではサンデイロー ストと同じ感覚で、料理を利用して友達や家族を集めコミュニケーションの 一つとなり。そのため、ここ最近新しく味付けの鍋料理が人気があります。 雑誌に取り上げられたり、又は、テレビで地域ごとに特別な鍋料理の特番も あります。例えば、若者たちの間ではやりの鍋は、キムチチーズ入りのよう です。さらに、カルボナーラ鍋からカレーリゾット風なおじやも流行です。

2015年になって人生で初めての鍋パーティーに参加しました。いつも話では聞いてましたが、やっと自分 でお鍋の良さが体験できると思う嬉しさが溢れていました。柔らかな鳥肉と豚肉がたっぷり入り、 肉の エキスと出汁が白菜と豆腐にからまり、とても美味しくいただくことができました。最後に卵入りおじや でお腹がいっぱいになるまで食べました。みんなで作って、みんなで分けて、賑やかに昨年の嬉しかった ことや失敗の話で盛り上がった一日でした。この経験を通して、個人的に、どの具材の組み合わせが最強 のなべ料理になるかの旅が始まり、私が家庭の味と言える組み合わせを探したいと思います。

汉语

使用筷子 Olivia Capozzi

我曾经在北京读过一学期中文，在那段时间里，我发现中国饮食文化很奇妙。因为北京的饮食 显然跟英国的不一样， 所以我可以丰富了自己的生活经验。在中国的时候我发现使用筷子的 传统。因为我觉得这个题目很有趣，所以我去探索这个现象。虽然中国有丰富的饮食文化，可 是，它现在正面临很多问题。例如，新的流行性病毒和环境污染。为了能让这些饮食文化继续 流传下去，中国应该先解决这些问题。

首先，我讨论筷子的生产。这是一个环境的问题，因为对环境产生不好的影响。根据民间传 说: “中国人早在春秋战国时代就发明了筷子”所以筷子真的是中国饮食文化的一部份. 现在 中国人通常都用筷子吃饭,因为这个古老的文化。听说: “用筷子吃饭标志中国文明的发 展。”筷子也是一种送给新人的礼物。筷子可以代表夫唱妇随，和早生贵子。 虽然筷子有丰 富的象征主义，但是，它的问题是“一次性木筷造成大量林地被毁。” 每年中国筷子的生产

破坏3.6万亩的它土地，和其中每年消耗一次性木筷子450亿双。而且劣质木筷并不干净，只是 给人一种卫生的错觉。因为中国是世界上人口最多的国家，所以筷子的生产越来越多。针对这个问题我有两个建议， 一个是转移生产到别的国家减轻中国的生产负担。另外，中国可以改变筷子的原料。比如可以用竹子做筷子。因为竹 子100%可回收和可降解。中国应该保护森林，因为树木能减少二氧化碳。这是很重要的，因为空气污染是中国的严重 的问题。

总结一下，在北京的时候我经历了有趣的饮食文化，特别是重要的文化遗产。中国不但要维持它的传统，而且要调 整。如果中国用切实的办法来改进它，既能保护环境，又能让人们也能防止疾病。

ελληνικά

Χριστούγεννα, Πρωτοχρονιά, αλλαγή του χρόνου Μικρές λεξούλες οι οποίες περιγράφουν τις τελευταιές μέρες ενός έτους που φεύγει και οι άνθρωποι περιμένουν με ανυπομονησία τον ερχομό του νέου έτους. Είναι οι μέρες που βάζουμε στόχους, πετάμε ατζέντες και αγοράζουμε καινούργιες, προσπαθώντας να κάνουμε μια αλλαγή που τις περισσότερες φορές δεν είναι τίποτα παραπάνω από ένα καινούριο, διαφορετικά χρωματισμένο ημερολόγιο.

Συνήθως τα ρεβεγιόν και οι γιορτές εκτός σπιτιού περιλαμβάνουν δείπνα, χορούς σε ξενοδοχεία και νυχτερινά κέντρα, άφθονη σαμπάνια, φωτογραφίες που θα ανεβούν στα διάφορα κοινωνικά δίκτυα και check-in σε κάθε μαγαζί αλλά και φυσικά διαλυμένα πορτοφόλια. Από την άλλη, τα ρεβεγιόν στο σπίτι περιλαμβάνουν απαραιτήτως σπιτικό, φαγητό μέχρι σκασμού, σοκολατάκια, κουραμπιέδες, μελομακάρονα, γέλιο μέχρι δακρύων και κάποιες φορές ξενέρωτες συζητήσεις με τα ξαδέλφια που είχες ξεχάσει αλλά τώρα είσαι αναγκασμένη να μιλήσεις μαζί τους.

Αλλοι λοιπόν, λατρεύουν τη φωτισμένη με λαμπιόνια πόλη και δεν μπορούν να συμβιβαστούν μέσα σε τέσσερις τοίχους, την ώρα που νιώθουν ότι όλος ο κόσμος γιορτάζει. Από την άλλη, τα Χριστούγεννα και γενικά οι γιορτές είναι για κάποιους, που ζουν μακριά ή που δουλεύουν συνέχεια, οι μοναδικές ευκαιρίες να σμίξουν με την οικογένειά τους και τους φιλούς τους που αγαπούν.

Αλλά ίσως αυτή η οικονομική κρίση στο νησί μας, το γεγονός ότι το πορτοφόλι μας δεν είναι πλεον γεματό και δεν μπορούμε όλοι (ή τουλάχιστον δεν προτιμάμε) να βγούμε έξω για τις γιορτες, να μας έκανε πιο «άνθρωπους», μας έκανε ίσως να εκτιμάμε περισσότερο αυτά που έχουμε, την οικογένεια μας και τους φίλους μας και την αληθινή

WHAT WE DO

With our AGM just around the corner, here's a run down of all the roles within our magazine up for grabs:

 CHAIR: Responsible for the overseeing of quality control and smooth running of the magazine. Involving managing a team, being a figure head for the magazine, and making crucial decisions.

 SECRETARY: Taking minutes, room bookings, coordinating editors and committee members, plus promoting the society at various public events.

 TREASURER: Managing account statements, arranging printing costs, raising purchase orders with student development, as well as paying in money earned through fundraisers and looking for other funding opportunities

 SOCIAL SECRETARY: Organising events for the committee, editors and writers. Encouraging a friendly and inclusive atmosphere within the society.

 PUBLICITY MANAGER: Responsible for advertising the Magazine using all types of media and keeping the members of the society and general public informed about what's going on with the Magazine.

 CREATIVE DESIGNER: Designing the magazine, posters, flyers, etc. Communicating with editors and proof readers to receive articles, and relaying printing deadlines.

 DESIGN ASSISTANT: Checking through content for design errors, as well as managing and maintaining our website.

 PROOF READER: Editing English articles, responsible for reading and correcting any spelling/grammatical errors to ensure good quality content.

 DEPUTY PROOF READER: Second proof of English Language articles.



ENGLISH LANGUAGE SECTION EDITOR: (CULTURE, CURRENT AFFAIRS, FOOD AND DRINK, LIFE AND STYLE) Recruiting students to write articles and suggesting topics. Editing articles to fit the word limit and maintain publishing standards. Uploading articles to the website. Current Affairs editor also involves being on top of the news and reading more about unfamiliar topics.

 FOREIGN LANGUAGE SECTION EDITOR: (CHINESE, FRENCH, GERMAN, GREEK, ITALIAN, JAPANESE, POLISH, PORTUGUESE, RUSSIAN, SPANISH) Recruiting and communicating with writers, in person and via social media, discussing their ideas and helping with language. Sourcing of native proof readers.

ΓΙΟΡΤΕΣ

CAREERS WITH LANGUAGES

by Maddie Kilminster

At the Careers with Languages session we learnt from professionals how their degrees in modern languages were useful in their careers. Representatives from Deutsche Bank, an international sales executive, and members from the international recruitment agency Angela Mortimer gave us key tips for going into the workplace. Here they are:

TEST OUT THE MARKET Don’t know what kind of job is right for you? After you graduate it is not the end of the world if your first job does not utilise your languages. It is more important to get a foot in the door and to test out the market to find which industry you suit. Do not be afraid to leave! Employers will not look negatively upon a CV which shows you have tried different options and left after a few months.

AGENCIES The advantage of recruitment agencies is that, once you tell them what you’re looking for (e.g. sales using French), they know exactly which roles are available and take your CV directly to the HR departments of top companies.

TEMPING Using agencies such as Angela Mortimer, it is possible for grads or under grads to do short-time placements (even for one day) which will give you the chance to build up experience in different fields (e.g. media, advertising or finance).

LANGUAGES IS YOUR TRUMP-CARD Many job descriptions may not directly demand language skills but it is proven that you have a definite advantage if you come armed with them! Your ability to speak languages will often trump all, even if you’re up against another candidate with much more industry-specific experience! Once in your job, your language skills will soon see you progress and gain more responsibility before your colleagues.

GERMAN ADVANTAGE There are less and less people studying German which gives you a unique advantage in the job market if you do!

BIG UP YOUR YEAR ABROAD In your interview make sure you emphasise the transferrable skills you have built up whilst abroad. The ability to successfully set up a bank account, travel arrangements and make networks in a foreign country is solid proof of organisation! For those who are planning their year abroad: top tip is to try and do work experience even whilst studying.

KNOW YOUR CULTURE The intimate knowledge of the cultural norms you build up on your year abroad is what will make you stand out over other applicants. Angela Mortimer tell us that in a recent application for a French Sales person, the candidate who got the job over the other two candidates was the one, not with admin experience, but who had worked 6 months as an au pair in France. This meant that she knew useful cultural nuances such as the lack of activity in August in France!

SELL YOURSELF In an interview try and think about all the hidden skills you have developed during your degree apart from your languages e.g. ability to interpret data and think on the spot, multitasking, attention to detail, accuracy and group work.