Maynooth University School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures

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Maynooth University School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Educators in languages, linguistics and intercultural studies at Maynooth University We also teach courses in EAP - English for Academic Purposes.

The School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (SMLLC) at Maynooth University specialises in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Chinese, French, German & Spanish & Latin American Studies.

29/04/2026

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This week’s word looks tasty… but trust us, it’s not 🖥️🍝

📚 Word of the Week: Kabelsalat
Yes, Salat means salad — but this is one dish you definitely can’t eat.

Kabelsalat literally means “cable salad” and is used to describe a chaotic tangle of wires and cables. Picture an exhausted IT worker at 3 a.m., stuck behind a server rack, staring at a mess of cords that start to look suspiciously like spaghetti. And just like that, Kabelsalat was born.

The only salad that makes you want to throw your computer out the window 💻😅

Have you encountered a Kabelsalat recently?

22/04/2026

Happy Earth Day 🌍

Today we’re reminded that the planet doesn’t belong to one country, one language, or one culture — it belongs to all of us. From rainforests to cities, coastlines to classrooms, the future of the Earth is a shared story written across borders and generations.

Across cultures and communities, people are finding different ways to care for the world around them — through sustainability, environmental justice, climate action, and collective responsibility. While our languages may differ, the need to protect our planet is universal.

Earth Day is not just a celebration of nature, but a call to reflect, learn, and act together — for a greener, more equitable, and more sustainable future for everyone. 🌱

Our planet, our responsibility.

15/04/2026

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Possibly the most beautiful word in the German language — and very likely about to become your new favourite 🥂

📚 Word of the Week: Feierabend
A magical compound of Feier (celebration) and Abend (evening), Feierabend marks that glorious moment when the workday officially ends.

It’s more than just “going home” — it’s the celebration of freedom, rest, and time that finally belongs to you. And of course, Germans have a word for what comes next: Feierabendbier — the well-earned beer that tastes like victory over emails and meetings.

How do you like to celebrate your Feierabend? 👇

01/04/2026

✨ Happy April Fools’ Day! ✨

In France, today is known as Poisson d’Avril (“April Fish”) 🐟
Instead of just playing pranks, children traditionally cut out paper fish and secretly tape them onto their friends’ (and teachers’!) backs without being noticed.

If the person discovers it, everyone shouts “Poisson d’Avril !” — France’s version of “April Fools!”

So if you feel something fishy today… now you know why 👀🐠

18/03/2026

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If your tongue tripped over this word, you’ve already learned its meaning 😅

📚 Word of the Week: Kuddelmuddel
A gloriously German word for utter chaos, total disorder, or a complete mess.

Think of that one drawer where everything ends up — cables, loose screws, random batteries, and the one screwdriver you can never find when you need it. That’s Kuddelmuddel. Even the word itself sounds like it’s tumbling down the stairs.

Is your life feeling a little Kuddelmuddel lately? 👀

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day 💐
Today we celebrate the strength, creativity, and resilience of women around the world — across cultures, languages, and generations.

From classrooms and communities to art, research, activism, and leadership, women continue to shape the world in powerful and inspiring ways. We honour the achievements of those who came before us, support the voices of today, and stand with those still fighting for equality and representation.

Here’s to celebrating diversity, solidarity, and the shared pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable future for all women, everywhere. 🌍

04/03/2026

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This week’s word is as fun to say as it is to describe 😬

📚 Word of the Week: Kratzbürste
Pronounced /krats-byr-stuh/ — and yes, your mouth really does scrunch up when you say it.

Literally meaning “scratch brush,” this delightful German compound combines kratzen (to scratch) and Bürste (brush). Figuratively, it’s used to describe someone who’s a bit prickly — the kind of person whose personality feels like running your hand the wrong way across a wire brush.

We all know a Kratzbürste… or have we been one before? 👀

18/02/2026

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This week’s word is a little too relatable.

📚 Word of the Week: Verschlimmbessern
A wonderfully specific German verb meaning to try to improve something and accidentally make it worse.

It’s a reminder that good intentions don’t always guarantee good outcomes — and that sometimes, understanding matters more than fixing. Not every problem needs intervention, and not every situation benefits from change.

Have you ever experienced a case of Verschlimmbessern? Let us know 👇

17/02/2026

Happy Chinese New Year 2026! 🎉🐎

We welcome the Year of the Horse & celebrate not only the start of a new lunar year but the incredible progress made in your language learning journey. 🌏

From all of us at SMLLC , Happy New Year!✨

14/02/2026

Love looks different in every language — but it always means the same thing 💖
From Ich liebe dich to Je t’aime to Te amo, today we’re celebrating all the ways to say the three most powerful words in the world.

You are loved — in every language. 🌍

Address

Rye Building (Block D), Maynooth University
Maynooth
W23NY8A

Website

https://maynoothuniversity.ie/school-modern-languages

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