Professor/publisher/author/OED consultant Ilan Stavans has written books about all three of the languages he speaks: his native Mexican Spanish, his heritage Yiddish, and his adopted English. In Episode 78, Ilan and Steve have a far-ranging conversation that touches on how American literature is becoming multilingual literature, why prescriptive dictionaries don’t work for English, and the secret to seeing your children embrace the language of their heritage. Listen and you’ll soon know why America the Bilingual has dubbed him a Tocqueville for bilingualism in America. Enjoy!

Music credits, in order of appearance:

HoliznaCC0 - Tranquil Mindscape ( Lofi , Happy , Reflection )

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/public-domain-lofi/tranquil-mindscape-lofi-happy-reflection/

U.S. Army Blues - Kelli's Number

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/US_Army_Blues/Live_At_Blues_Alley/0_-_08_-_The_US_Army_Blues_-_Kellis_Number/

John Bartmann - African Moon

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Bartmann/Public_Domain_Soundtrack_Music_Album_One/african-moon/

John Bartmann - Somewhere nice

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Bartmann/Public_Domain_Soundtrack_Music_Album_One/somewhere-nice/

HoliznaCC0 - 20 Minute Meditation 1

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/space-sleep-meditation/20-minute-meditation-1/

U.S. Army Blues - Oginiland

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/US_Army_Blues/Live_At_Blues_Alley/0_-_06_-_The_US_Army_Blues_-_Oginiland/

Komiku - In the restaurant

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku/THE_GIRL_WITH_THE_BASEBALL_BAT/Komiku_-_THE_GIRL_WITH_THE_BASEBALL_BAT_-_03_In_the_restaurant/

Koi-discovery - Oxforf by Night

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/koi-discovery/ante-chrysalide/oxforf-by-nightmp3/