This episode was originally published as Episode 39 on January 11, 2021.

In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we're having a conversation about Martiniquais Creole and French with our guest Mickael, founder of French Class NYC. Mickael shares his insights on the Creole spoken in Martinique and the French spoken in France, discussing the cultural and linguistic nuances that define these languages.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇲🇶 Mickael's bilingual upbringing, with Creole as his mother tongue and French as the official language, and how this shaped his cultural identity.

🇲🇶 The perception versus reality of people of color in France, highlighting the diversity and expression of Black voices in French culture.

🇲🇶 The representation of French Caribbean culture in Paris and the similarities and differences between French Creole and French in the diaspora.

🇲🇶 Mickael's advice for learning authentic French and exploring regions in France beyond Paris.

🇲🇶 The challenges of maintaining a cultural identity within the context of a dominant French culture that often overlooks the contributions of its minority communities.

🇲🇶 The intimate and personal nature of Creole as a language, often used within families and close-knit communities.

Mickael also shares his journey in founding French Class NYC, his experiences teaching French in New York, and how he incorporates diverse voices and literature into his curriculum. He offers a glimpse into the vibrant cultural exchanges happening in his classes and the importance of informal French in connecting with native speakers.

To Connect with Mickael:

Website: frenchclassnyc.com

Instagram: @frenchclassnyc

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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This episode was originally published as Episode 97 on April 18, 2022.

In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we have a conversation about Singlish, a unique linguistic blend that reflects the multicultural essence of Singapore. Our guest, Marcus, provides fascinating insights into the nuances of Singlish and its interplay with the diverse languages of Singapore.

In this episode, we explore:

🇸🇬 The linguistic landscape of Singapore, where English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil coexist, shaping the distinct identity of Singlish.

🇸🇬 The evolution of Singlish, from its origins to its role in everyday communication, and the impact of the "Speak Good English Movement" on its perception.

🇸🇬 The fascinating concept of code-switching in Singapore, where individuals seamlessly navigate between multiple languages in social and professional contexts.

🇸🇬 The rich cultural expressions embedded in Singlish, including common phrases, greetings, and the use of discourse particles like "lah," "loh," and "meh."

🇸🇬 The unique cadence and tonality of Singlish, influenced by the diverse linguistic heritage of Singapore.

🇸🇬 The significance of abbreviations in Singaporean vernacular, reflecting the efficiency and adaptability of the language.

Marcus also shares delightful Singlish phrases and idioms, offering a glimpse into the humor and creativity that define this beloved linguistic variety.

To Connect with Marcus:

Instagram: GoodSinglish

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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This episode was originally published as Episode 116 on October 24, 2022

In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we journey into the world of Finnish language and culture with Saga from FinnishLearning on Instagram. Join us as we explore the intricacies of Finnish grammar, the unique agglutinative nature of the language, and the cultural significance of the sauna tradition in Finland.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇫🇮 The meaning and usage of the word "Suomi" in Finnish, and the differences between written and spoken Finnish.

🇫🇮 The similarities and differences between Finnish and other languages like Estonian and Hungarian, and the influence of regional dialects across Finland.

🇫🇮 The traditions of Christmas and Midsummer in Finland, including the magical midsummer spells and the importance of nature in Finnish culture.

🇫🇮 The communal and relaxing tradition of the Finnish sauna, and how it is an integral part of Finnish life.

🇫🇮 Saga shares insights into the Finnish language learning journey and the vibrant cultural experiences that await in Helsinki.

To Connect with Saga:

Instagram: finnishlearning

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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This episode was originally published as Episode 109. Speaking Armenian on July 25, 2022.

In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we're having a conversation on the diverse world of the Armenian language and culture with our guest, Liana, a writer, journalist, and creator of "Dining in Diaspora." Liana shares her journey from Iran to the United States and her experiences within the Armenian community in Southern California.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇦🇲 Liana's immigration story from Iran to the U.S. and how she navigated the Armenian community in Los Angeles.

🇦🇲 The evolution of the Armenian language within the diaspora, including influences from Persian, English, Arabic, and Russian.

🇦🇲 The differences between Western and Eastern Armenian dialects and efforts to revitalize Western Armenian.

🇦🇲 The unique melodic cadence of the Iranian Armenian dialect and how dialects are recognized by their accents.

🇦🇲 The cultural significance of food in Armenian heritage, including contributions to American cuisine such as Almond Joy and the introduction of yogurt.

🇦🇲 Traditional Armenian dishes and the vibrant debates over whose recipe reigns supreme.

🇦🇲 Armenian idioms and expressions, including the charming saying, "May you grow old on one pillow."

To Connect with Liana:

Website: www.diningindiaspora.com

Instagram: diningindiaspora

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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This episode was originally published as Episode 94 on March 28, 2022

This week, we're diving into the fascinating world of Egyptian Arabic and ancient Egyptian cuisine with Dr. Menna El Dorry, an Egyptologist and archaeobotanist. Dr. Menna shares her expertise on the intersection of language, history, and food in Egypt, offering us a unique glimpse into the past and present culinary traditions of this remarkable country.

In this episode, we explore:

🇪🇬 Dr. Menna’s journey with languages, including Egyptian Arabic, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

🇪🇬The influence of ancient Egyptian languages on modern Egyptian Arabic, and the grammatical elements that have persisted through time.

🇪🇬 The distinct characteristics of the Cairene dialect and its widespread understanding across the Arabic-speaking world.

🇪🇬 The methods Egyptologists use to uncover ancient cooking techniques and dietary habits, including the analysis of plant and animal remains.

🇪🇬The evolution of Egyptian cuisine, the regional variations in food preferences, and the significance of traditional dishes like sunbread and fava beans.

🇪🇬 The challenges and surprises in replicating ancient recipes and understanding historical food palates.

🇪🇬 The importance of considering the past to appreciate and understand modern Egyptian cuisine.

🇪🇬 The cultural and culinary richness of Egypt, and the must-try experiences for anyone visiting Cairo.

To Connect with Dr. Menna

Instagram: eatlikeanegyptian

Website: www.eatlikeanegyptian.com

Connect with Speaking Tongues:

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This episode was originally published as Episode 119 on November 14, 2022.

This episode of Speaking Tongues wades into the fascinating world of the Sardinian language & culture with our guest Dalila. We explore the unique characteristics of Sardinian, its historical influences from Catalan and Spanish, and how it stands apart from Italian. Dalila shares insights into the grammar, highlighting differences between Sardinian spoken in the north and south, and the linguistic variations across Sardinia's micro-regions.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇮🇹 The rich history of Sardinian, tracing its evolution from Latin and its influences from Catalan, Spanish, and Italian.

🇮🇹 The grammatical structure of Sardinian, including the unique use of interrogative sentences and the influence of Proto-Sardinian.

🇮🇹 The vibrant Sardinian literary tradition, featuring works from the 1500s and contemporary poetry, especially highlighting the contributions of female poets.

🇮🇹 The challenges and efforts in preserving the Sardinian language, including teaching it in schools and the debate over which variant should be standardized.

🇮🇹 The coexistence of other minority languages in Sardinia, such as Tabarchino, Sassarese, and Gallurese, and their relationship with Sardinian and Italian.

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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This episode with my guests Kimhia and Indira was originally published as Episode 98 on April 25, 2022.

This episode unfolds the many influences that have shaped Saint Lucian Creole, highlighting its roots in Mandinka and Wolof grammar structures. We explore the cultural significance of Creole Day in Saint Lucia and the use of Madras fabric, while also practicing some phrases in Creole.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇱🇨 The fascinating development of Saint Lucian Creole, including its linguistic ties to French and West African languages.

🇱🇨 The cultural expressions and celebrations in Saint Lucia, such as Creole Day and the island's vibrant music scene.

🇱🇨 The journey of Kimhia and Indira in preserving and teaching Creole through their Two Saints Language Academy, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage.

🇱🇨 The nuances of code-switching in Saint Lucia and the societal perceptions of Creole in different contexts.

🇱🇨 The rich culinary experiences and local traditions that visitors should explore when visiting Saint Lucia.

Kimhia and Indira also share delightful Saint Lucian Creole proverbs and sayings, offering a glimpse into the wisdom and humor embedded in the language.

To Find Twossaints

Website: https://twossaints.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/twossaints/

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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This episode with our guest Grace was originally published on May 2, 2022.

In episode 99, we explored the intricacies of Thai grammar, including its 72-letter alphabet, and practice the tonality of the Thai language. Grace guides us through the use of polite particles and highlights the similarities between Thai and Chinese, particularly the five distinct tones.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇹🇭 The structure of Thai grammar and the tonal nature of the language, with practical examples to differentiate meanings through tones.

🇹🇭 The cultural nuances of Thai dialects and how accents change across different regions in Thailand.

🇹🇭 Essential do's and don'ts for visitors to Thailand, including a humorous take on handling the spiciness of Thai cuisine.

🇹🇭 Grace's experience learning Thai boxing in Brazil and insights into the cultural significance of Muay Thai.

🇹🇭 The joyful nature of Thai people, often referred to as the "land of smiles," and how this reflects in their everyday interactions.

To Find Grace 

Thai with Grace : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtxPNb4l4rf4msU-oD-Abqg

Polyglot Grace : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8CAEKDnWEamcYMJXpNecg

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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Buy my book here

This episode was originally published as Episode 83. Speaking Te Reo Maori on January 10, 2022. Our guest is Amelia Butler, the founder of Learn Māori Abroad.

In this episode, we discuss:

🌿 Emilia’s journey with Te Reo Māori, from her early education in Māori immersion schools to her current role in teaching the language worldwide.

🌿 The historical transition of Te Reo Māori from an oral to a written language and the impact of colonization on Māori culture and language preservation.

🌿 The cultural significance of the haka, a traditional war dance, and its role in modern contexts such as sports and corporate environments.

🌿 The concept of Whakapapa, a foundational Māori principle of genealogy and interconnectedness, and its influence on Māori worldview and environmental stewardship.

🌿 The revitalization efforts of Te Reo Māori and cultural practices, highlighting the importance of community support and engagement in preserving indigenous heritage.

Emilia also shares a meaningful Māori karakia (prayer) with a message about embracing both light and darkness in life, reflecting the balanced perspective inherent in Māori culture.

Find Learn Maori Abroad: 

Website: https://www.learnmaoriabroad.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnmaoriabroad 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVQxbrtdRL7fPp7h1fKNnA

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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This conversation with Mauricio of @babelsolutions was originally published on March 21, 2022 as Episode 93: Speaking LatAm Spanish

Episode 93 takes us on a linguistic journey through Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, offering insights into the rich tapestry of Spanish dialects across these regions.

In this episode, we discuss:

🌎 Mauricio’s upbringing between Argentina and Peru, and how this duality shaped his understanding of Spanish.

🌎 The three geographical blocks of Spanish-speaking regions and why Chile and Argentina are considered linguistic outliers.

🌎 The unique characteristics of Chilean Spanish and how Mauricio navigates these differences in his translation work.

🌎 His career in translating media, including movies and television, and the impact of technology on the field of translation.

🌎 Observations on the influence of English on Spanish spoken in the US and the cultural nuances that arise from this interaction.

To Find Mauricio: 

Instagram @babelsolutions

Website: https://babelsolutions.org/en/home-2/

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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