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The Fifth Floor

Factual: Life Stories

Global stories from the BBC’s 40 Language Services, with Faranak Amidi

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services.

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services

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The Fifth Floor: Commuting in the Skies of Medellin

Documentaries

Commuting in the Skies of Medellin

24/11/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - The Fifth Floor, Commuting in the Skies of Medellin

How an urban cable car bridges the divide between rich and poor

Medellin cable car; matchmaking in Shanghai; Jane Austen in Pakistan; BBC Marathi 1942; African footballing heroes; the letter H in Spanish. With David Amanor.

Medellin in Colombia was one of the first cities in South America to integrate cable cars into its metro transit system. The Metrocable links the affluent valley with poor neighbourhoods in the hills.  Arturo Wallace of BBC Mundo explains how it's also affected social attitudes.

Shanghai's Matchmaking Corner
An ad hoc marriage agency is set up every Saturday in the People's Park in Shanghai.  Parents go there with umbrellas, on which they attach notes listing vital information about their sons and daughters.  Yang Zhuo at the BBC Shanghai office tells us more.

Jane Austen in Pakistan
Jane Austen died two hundred years ago, but her books are still popular around the world.  For members of the Jane Austen Society of Pakistan, the similarities between 18th century England and 21st century Pakistan give the stories an extra fascination.  The BBC's Haniya Ali explains.

BBC Marathi 1942
The BBC recently launched a Marathi service, but it's not the first time the BBC has broadcast in Marathi.  It happened before, very briefly, during the Second World War.  Janhavee Moole tells the story of the original Marathi service and the inspirational journalist who became its voice.

BBC African Footballer of the Year 
Voting for the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2017 is now open!   But who inspired the previous generation of African football fans?   David Amanor kicks the question about on the Fifth Floor with Victoria Uwonkunda, Robert Misigaro, Mohamed Qoutb and Aliyu Tanko.
  
H is for Headache  
The H in Spanish is mute, which leads to all sorts of challenges with spelling and understanding.  What's the point of a letter that you never hear?  Over the centuries, various linguists have tried to kill it off, without success.  Spanish journalist Irene Hernandez Velasco has been sharing her thoughts on the 'useless' letter H with BBC Mundo.

Image: Metrocable car in Medellin, Columbia
Credit: RAUL ARBOLEDA /Stringer/Getty Images

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