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Languages
The Unsung Women Who Shaped the Blues
Blues is a musical genre often associated with male pioneers. However, women were also a huge part of this development. This article shines a light on three women who helped shape the blues: Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.
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Languages
Dancing to the rhythm of cultures
Spain exhibits a vast array of traditional dances all over the country. This article looks at the Flamenco, religious dances and more...
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Languages
Test your language skills: Spanish, French, Italian and German
How are your language skills? Heading off on a trip to Spain, France, Italy or Germany and want to know how you'd fare getting by? Find out with our virtual, interactive adventures and test your language skills on the way!
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Languages
Methods in Motion: The middle children
Dr Sarah Crafter explores how child language brokers act as cultural mediators of identity and belonging.
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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.
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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.