The Linguist

Chartered Institute of Linguists WINTER 2025 The Linguist 29 SECTION HEADER REVIEWS Universal Language starts with a wintery scene of a school in Winnipeg. Children from an ethnic community face a bullying teacher who threatens the whole class with suspension, while a girl tries to help her classmate after finding a frozen bank note that may be the solution to the imminent threat. This, however, is only a fragment of a complex film, directed and co-written by Canadian experimental filmmaker Matthew Rankin, in which new and unusual characters present their own, seemingly unrelated stories. Its beauty lies not only in skilfully intertwining these tales but also in the powerful message and excellent cinematography. Language is the glue, as the film is set in an alternative reality among Persian-speaking communities in Canada. The masterful storytelling (in Persian and French with English subtitles) evokes the Christmas spirit, and there is even a wandering Christmas tree which goes around moaning about its fortune. The themes, both funny and profound, highlighted through each character eventually knit together, touching on universal values of family, love, kindness and compassion. This contrasts with survival in a society where opportunities often have to be self-created. The experience of watching this surrealist comedy-drama is similar to completing a jigsaw puzzle, as the full picture slowly appears, reminding the audience that small pursuits in life feed our identity and our relationships. I would highly recommend it with a warning: it should be watched with an open mind. Instead of tracing a path, allow the film to offer you the message that personally touches you. Adriana Uribe MCIL DVD £22; Blu-ray £26, from https://store.oscilloscope.net For film buffs Universal Language For gamers Chants of Sennaar different colour palette but something they all have in common is a love of music – details I really appreciated. I enjoyed the linguistic elements and discovering the very different ways each language works. For instance, the bards use dashes to form a negative, while the alchemists have a maths-based language. As maths isn't my forte, I found this level difficult but it had many cool features, particularly the way the maths of the language works and enables you to play around with the words. Although the new app version inevitably loses some impact and functionality, it makes for satisfying puzzling on the daily commute. Lily Gomez Moore Rundisc, Xbox One/PlayStation 4/ Nintendo Switch/PC, £16-£17.99; iOS/Android, free with in-app fees With a gorgeous soundtrack and stunning imagery, Rundisc's Chants of Sennaar is a lot of fun. This puzzle-solving game is set in a tower and ostensibly the goal is to reach the top as you meet different groups of people (devotees, warriors, bards), but as you progress, you realise it's more about enabling the tribes to communicate. Each chapter introduces you to a new tribe whose language you have to decipher. As you learn their language, you also learn about their culture and civilisation. Being able to talk to each group in turn, translate between them, and solve conflicts as they come to understand one another, was very rewarding. The art and music enhance the atmosphere and overall story. Each tribe is distinguished by a Co-curated by artist Sam Winston and poet Chris McCabe, the Barbican's inaugural Voiced festival brought together poetry readings, panel discussions, visual art and workshops. Highlights included an immersive poetry space exploring links between biodiversity and language, and a poetry translation workshop with poet Shamim Azad and translator Mike Raggett. Those in the northwest of England can enjoy part of the programme in 2026 through a collab with Manchester Metropolitan University. MM Manchester Poetry Library, 21 February 2026 For culture fiends Voiced: The Festival of Endangered Languages XÇàxÜàt|ÇÅxÇà

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