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Chinese at the tip of your tongue: How do you translate brand names? video icon

Languages

Chinese at the tip of your tongue: How do you translate brand names?

Have you got a 'treasure horse'? Discover the interesting stories behind the Chinese translations of international car brands.

Video
5 mins
Chinese at the tip of your tongue: East, west, south and north video icon

Languages

Chinese at the tip of your tongue: East, west, south and north

Place names in Chinese are often associated with their geographical locations. Can you guess the place names correctly?

Video
5 mins
Chinese at the tip of your tongue: Culture behind the numbers video icon

Languages

Chinese at the tip of your tongue: Culture behind the numbers

Just like in other cultures, numbers have hidden meanings in Chinese culture too. Discover the philosophy behind the figures.

Video
5 mins
Chinese at the tip of your tongue: A glimpse of Chinese video icon

Languages

Chinese at the tip of your tongue: A glimpse of Chinese

Why does Chinese sound so tonal? Dr Kan explains the myth of pronouncing Chinese characters.

Video
5 mins
Titty or Tatty: What's in a name? article icon

Languages

Titty or Tatty: What's in a name?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. Severine Hubscher-Davidson explores why texts need to change with the times - and why some things are better left untouched.

Article
Hafan: What do you know about Welsh language and culture? activity icon

Languages

Hafan: What do you know about Welsh language and culture?

The future of Wales is as exciting as its past. Take our challenge, listen to stories from the locals and get to grips with Welsh culture and language.

Activity
Methods in Motion: The middle children article icon

Languages

Methods in Motion: The middle children

Dr Sarah Crafter explores how child language brokers act as cultural mediators of identity and belonging.

Article
Download our Chinese characters learning apps article icon

Languages

Download our Chinese characters learning apps

Dr Qian Kan, Head of Chinese at The Open University, led the development and the update of the Chinese@OU app, which is ready to download. She explains below why it is important to learn Chinese.

Article
Write it right: seven common writing mistakes video icon

Languages

Write it right: seven common writing mistakes

Tutors told us that students make several of the same common writing mistakes which can impact the grades they receive for their Open University assignments.

Video
A short introduction to the English language free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

A short introduction to the English language

This free course, A short introduction to the English language, will look at the role language plays in our lives, with a particular focus on the English language. It will examine the history and the future of the language, from the Anglo-Saxons and Shakespeare to social media communication and stand-up comedy.

Free course
5 hrs
“Beagán ar bheagán: Pobal Teanga Faoi Bhláth” - Athbheochan na Gaeilge ó thuaidh i ré Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta article icon

Languages

“Beagán ar bheagán: Pobal Teanga Faoi Bhláth” - Athbheochan na Gaeilge ó thuaidh i ré Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta

What was the effect of The Good Friday Agreement on the Irish language? Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh traces the language's history and recent revival.

Article
“Pobal Teanga Faoi Bhláth” - The Irish Language Revival and the Good Friday Agreement article icon

Languages

“Pobal Teanga Faoi Bhláth” - The Irish Language Revival and the Good Friday Agreement

What was the effect of The Good Friday Agreement on the Irish language? Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh traces the language's history and recent revival.

Article