The American journalist, linguist, and author Michael Erard (Babel No More) has lived in South America, Asia, and now in Europe. He’s always had an ear to the native languages as much as for them.

A deep researcher of language, he shares in this episode why he believes that “human beings are meant to have very complex linguistic systems in their brains.” He also explains why he likens learning a language to weaving a rope.

Thanks to members of the America the Bilingual Project team who worked on this episode: Fernando Hernández, writer for this episode, and his production house in Guadalajara, Mexico, Esto No Es Radio, which provides sound design and mixing; Mim Harrison, editorial and brand director of the America the Bilingual Project; and Karla Hernandez at Daruma Tech, who manages our website.

Meet the entire America the Bilingual team—including our bark-lingual mascot, Chet—here.

Music in this episode, in sequence:

Demoiselle Döner, - Des têtes trop pleines

https://bit.ly/421rrhp

John Bartmann - African Moon

https://bit.ly/47Avvqe

Kevin Macleod - QuasiMotion

https://bit.ly/KevinMacleod_QuasiMotion

Loyalty Freak Music - Waiting TTTT

https://bit.ly/3HEwICx

TRG Banks - Michael Landon

https://bit.ly/47ytYkp

TRG Banks - Horse Ride 2

https://bit.ly/3LRPuZv

Jorge Mario Zuleta - En Detención

https://bit.ly/JMZ_detencion

John Bartmann - Bouncy Gypsy Beats

https://bit.ly/4aR7RZv