Where Duolingo falls down / How I learned to speak Welsh with my mother

 

Where Duolingo falls

Dan Fox's taid, outside Tal-y-Braich Uchaf, Eryri (Snowdonia), c 1965. Photograph: Courtesy of Dewi Jones

Where Duolingo falls down: how I learned to speak Welsh with my mother

This article is more than 1 month old

Dan Fox's taid, outside Tal-y-Braich Uchaf, Eryri (Snowdonia), c 1965. Photograph: Courtesy of Dewi Jones

Once violently defended from extinction, Welsh is still a part of daily life. By learning my family’s language, I hoped to join their conversation

by Dan Fox

Thursday 12 Marc 2026

My maternal grandmother died 20 years ago. The funeral was held in a small Methodist chapel in the lush Conwy valley of north Wales. Her entire life – she had almost reached 100 – was spent in these hills. The drizzle that morning had slicked the trees and turned the slate of the chapel black. Our family, gathered under umbrellas, entered in order of seniority: Mum, now the family elder, with Dad on her arm, then my six aunts and uncles with their spouses, and finally the cousins, led by my brother Mark and me.

Benjamin Wood / ‘John Fowles’s The Magus was so frustrating I threw it at the wall’

 

Benjamin Wood
Photo by Marc Sethi

The 

Books

 0f my 

life

Benjamin Wood: ‘John Fowles’s The Magus was so frustrating I threw it at the wall’

The author on the Steinbeck novel that moved him to tears, how becoming a father inspired him to reread Marilynne Robinson, and the culinary comforts of James M Cain

Benjamin Wood

27 March 2026

My earliest reading memory
When I was eight, my mother bought me Stanley Bagshaw and the Short-sighted Football Trainer by Bob Wilson. I grew up thinking he was the same Bob Wilson who played in goal for Arsenal and presented sport on ITV. That wasn’t true, but it has never dampened my appreciation of this brilliant rhyming picture book, which ought to be reissued to inspire more kids to read. My sons adore it.

Jon Klassen / Hats

https://youtu.be/SiHFSLbP31w?feature=shared

 

BOOK OF THE DAY

Review

The Shadow of the Object by Chloe Aridjis review – one of the boldest writers at work in English today

This fable-like novella about technologies of illusion and a life-changing friendship in Mexico City is enchanting

AK Blakemore

Wed 22 Apr 2026 

The Shadow of the Object, the new novel from Mexican-American author Chloe Aridjis, opens with an eruption of violence: Flora, a fortysomething woman, is visiting her mother and stepfather in Mexico City for the first time in many years when one evening, as she is bidding them goodnight, Diego – the household’s beloved guard dog – springs up and sinks his teeth into her hand. This unexpected incident is an assault not only on Flora’s body, but also upon those delicate fictions that have, until now, shaped her life and swathed that body in an illusory sense of safety. The ageing alsatian, who had lived until the instant of the attack with “his inner life and ours mysteriously, harmoniously, aligned”, suddenly gazes up at the benevolent limb of his human benefactor and sees “an unsettling sight” indeed: “A hand out of context, unattached to a body … A hand gone rogue, no longer following orders from headquarters.”

 

Say hello to my little compendium! Al Pacino films – ranked

As the actor turns 86, we rate his greatest screen performances and ask which Godfather was the best of the trilogy

Ryan Gilbert

Thursday 30 April 2026

20. Manglehorn (2014)

With greased-back hair, dainty spectacles and bristly chops, Pacino is a former Little League baseball coach turned locksmith. But – symbolism alert! – who holds the key to his clenched heart? One scene gives good cringe: over a would-be romantic dinner with a bank teller (Holly Hunter), he starts reminiscing about his great lost love, oblivious to his date’s escalating indignation.

Feline good … Pacino in Manglehorn. Photograph: Cinematic/Alamy

19. Any Given Sunday (1999)

No surprise that Oliver Stone’s football drama is frenzied, overloaded and unsubtle. At least it has at its centre a performance of style and grace by Pacino. He plays the idealistic coach of the fictional Miami Sharks, who sees the game as a test of character. “On any given Sunday, you’re gonna win or you’re gonna lose,” he says. “The point is – can you win or lose like a man?”

Hello Kitty / 50 years of style and friendship

 

From a simple coin purse to a cultural phenomenon, Hello Kitty's journey is beautifully echoed in the playful decor of this pink sanctuary, making every moment a celebration of joy

Hello Kitty: 50 years of style and friendship

The rise of a global icon and its economic and commercial impact

23 DECEMBER 2024, 

LUCAS FRADE

In 2024, Hello Kitty celebrated its 50th anniversary, solidifying its presence as a global icon of fashion, beauty, and culture. Created by Sanrio in 1974, Hello Kitty started as a simple character, but its message of friendship, positivity, and inclusion transformed it into a cultural phenomenon. Over the decades, the mouthless kitten with a red bow has transcended the status of a children's mascot to become a figure present in more than 130 countries, with over 50,000 different products, ranging from toys and accessories to luxury items and beauty collaborations. 

When fashion creates a star / How Sabrina Carpenter’s style conquered the world and shaped global trends

 

With every note she sings, Sabrina transforms the stage into a canvas, showcasing her unique style and the maturity reflected in her powerful new music

When fashion creates a star

How Sabrina Carpenter’s style conquered the world and shaped global trends

23 JANUARY 2025, 

LUCAS FRADE

Sabrina Carpenter is someone who quickly transcended her Disney roots, establishing herself as one of today’s most influential young celebrities. Initially recognised for her role in Girl Meets World, she went beyond the stereotype of a teenager associated with a family-friendly brand and built a multifaceted career marked by music and fashion. But how did this transformation happen? And what role did fashion play in her journey?

With each garment she examines, the power of digital platforms shines through, showcasing a diverse array of styles that cater to every taste and identity

Social media's impact on fashion trends

The redefining of consumption and culture through digital platforms

23 FEBRUARY 2025, 

LUCAS FRADE

With the fast expansion of social media, fashion has transformed into an agile, dynamic world where trends emerge and dissipate within days. The popularisation of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest has not only changed how fashion is consumed but also accelerated its cycle, creating a growing demand for innovation and adaptability among brands. Today, social media is essential for companies of all sizes, which need to stay aware of changes to remain competitive in an extremely visual and ephemeral market. This new landscape reveals a fresh era in fashion, where the cycle of trends is constantly renewed, and immediacy sets the pace for consumption, challenging the traditional seasonal collection model.

 

A vibrant street scene in Brazil sets the stage for a new era of fashion, where sustainability and local creativity come together in colourful harmony

What to expect from Brazilian fashion in 2025

Embracing sustainability, digital innovation, and inclusivity in a new era of Brazilian style

23 MARCH 2025, 

LUCAS FRADE

Brazilian fashion has always been a reflection of our rich culture, full of colours, textures, and rhythms. When we think about 2025, what lies ahead? Will Brazilian fashion follow global trends or reinvent itself in a unique way? The truth is that the fashion scene in Brazil will continue to transform, bringing new opportunities and, of course, some challenges. So, what can we expect? Sustainability, new technologies, and an increasingly inclusive fashion are just a few of the paths that may gain strength in the future.