Speaking Tongues Podcast: Celebrating Voices, Stories, and Flavors From Around the Globe

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, I’m speaking with Kenny, a polyglot and language teacher about two of his languages, Belgian Dutch and Italian.

In this episode, Kenny tells us how language is a part of life where he grew up in Belgium and which languages are spoken in which regions of the country. He tells us about how politics and language are often related in Belgium and how it can impact interactions with strangers. I’m even telling a story about how this once affected my travels in Brussels. We talk about some variations on Standard Dutch and Belgian Dutch and we talk about understanding why we say Belgian Dutch and why we say Flemish. Kenny talks to us about code switching in Flanders, subtitles on Belgian television, his experience with learning Afrikaans. He also tells us about how a trip to Italy at a young age sparked his love with Italian language and culture. And we have a bit of a moment bonding over both of us being introverts.

Big thank you to Kenny for this conversation and sharing bits of your languages and culture with all of us.  If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are below! Ok, Let’s chat!

To find Kenny: 

Website: somethingpolyglot.com

Italki: https://www.italki.com/teacher/8639713

Twitter: @kenny_db1983

Instagram: @something.polyglot

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, Awa is joining me to talk about her language of Wolof and her career as a translator.

In this episode, Awa talks to us about growing up with Wolof and French as her first languages. She tells us where we’re likely to hear Wolof used in Senegal, particularly in Dakar and how Wolof is not just a language but also an ethnic group. We talk about some basic grammar points, formalities and honorifics in Wolof. Awa tells us how people mix Wolof with French in Dakar and why it’s incorrect to assume that everyone in Senegal speaks French. We also talk about diversity in West Africa, Senegalese culture in Paris and the art of drum making and storytelling in Senegal.

Big thank you to Awa for sharing bits of your language, culture and work with all of us. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are below!

To Find Awa: 

Website: https://www.thewoloftranslator.com/

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

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Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. Joining me this week in conversation about Gujarati language and culture is Jenny Bhatt, writer, translator and founder of Desi Books.

In this episode, Jenny talks to us about growing up in Mumbai and many of the languages that are spoken and heard in this cosmopolitan city. We talk about the unique nature of Hindi as it’s spoken in Mumbai and the Gujarati dialects heard not only in Mumbai but in regions of Gujarat. We discuss Gujarati literary tradition and using translation as a language revitalization tool. And speaking of translation, Jenny is talking with her latest translation work “The Shehnai Virtuoso and other Stories” which is the first Gujarati to English book length translation of noted writer Dhumketu and the first translation of this kind to be published in the U.S. As Jenny is also the founder of Desi Books, we talk translated works of South Asian authors as well. Now, make sure you keep an eye on my instagram account because we are doing an IG live “afterparty” to talk about The Shehnai Virtuoso and South Asian literature. Links can be found in the shownotes to all platforms.

Big thank you to Jenny for this conversation and for all that you do in uplifting the works of South Asian authors and community. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! Special shout out to Speaking Tongues’ recent supporters and Patrons Heidi L., Linnea H and Pat N. If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are below!

To Find Jenny: 

https://jennybhattwriter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennybhatt0/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/jennybhatt

To Find Desi Books: 

Desi Books: https://desibooks.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desi.books/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DesiBooks

Buy "The Shehnai Virtuoso and other Stories": https://store.deepvellum.org/products/the-shehnai-virtuoso

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

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Buy my book here https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, we’re talking about the Lingala language and Congolese culture with Melissa, the founder and teacher behind Lingala Lessons.

In this episode, Melissa tells us about growing up in Paris speaking both Lingala and French and how this often felt like living in two different countries- France and DRC. She tells us about how her parents made the effort to reinforce Lingala and their Congolese roots at home and how Black American tv shows were impactful in African French communities. We talk about Lingala grammar and learn how the language is used in DRC, Republic of Congo and other Lingala speaking regions. Melissa tells us about Congolese music and why it’s really important to Congolese people and keep listening to find out where we can experience Congolese culture & food in Paris.

Big thank you to Melissa for this conversation and for sharing parts of your languages and culture with us. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! Special shout out to Speaking Tongues’ recent supporters and Patrons Heidi L., Linnea H and Pat N. If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are below!

To Find Lingala Lessons:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lingalalessons/

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

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@lingalalessons?lang=fr

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

Follow on Twitter: @stpodcasthost

Like our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, we’re talking about Armenian with Liana, a writer and journalist and creator of Dining in Diaspora, A book and multimedia project documenting the Armenian experience in America through food.

In this conversation, Liana talks about immigrating to the U.S. from Iran as a child and settling into the vast Armenian community in Southern California. We talk about the Armenian language changes through the diaspora and the other languages that have influence on diaspora speakers all over the world. We talk about differences between the Eastern & Western Armenian dialects and efforts being made to revitalize Western Armenian. Liana talks about diversity within Armenian culture and the melodic cadence of the Iranian-Armenian dialect. She tells us about ways that the Armenian community has been able to remain connected to the culture and because she writes about food, we discuss some of her favorite dishes and Armenian contributions to American cuisine.

Big thank you to Liana for this conversation and sharing your language, heritage and history of your community with all of us. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! 

To Find Liana:

Dining in Diaspora: https://www.diningindiaspora.com/

Website: http://www.lianaaghajanian.com/

Instagram @diningindiaspora

Speaking Tongues listeners receive a special 10% off all languages with our friends at NaTakallam!  NaTakallam pairs displaced people with learners worldwide for online language learning & cultural exchange. With NaTakallam, you can support these individuals & their host communities by working with them as online tutors, teachers, translators, & cultural exchange partners – regardless of their location & status. Use the code SPEAKING10 at www.natakallam.com to redeem your discount. NaTakallam -- Learn a Language, Make a Friend, Change a Life.

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

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Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, we’re talking about Urdu language and Pakistani culture- and global citizenry with Faiza, an Urdu language educator, author and content creator.

In this episode Faiza talks to us about the languages she was exposed to while growing up in Karachi. We learn about the similarities and differences between Urdu and Hindi and how many Urdu speakers can also understand spoken Hindi.  We talk about the importance of greeting in Urdu and we even learn how the greetings change depending on the age of the person you’re speaking with. We talk about her going from a speaker of Urdu to navigating how to be an educator of the language and why she still considers herself a student of Urdu. Faiza tells us important points about identity and why it’s important to not just assume a person’s heritage based on their looks. She also tells us about her published children's book and her mission to get children interested in reading - in any language, not just in Urdu.

Big thank you to Faiza for sharing bits of your language and heritage with all of us. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are below!

To find Faiza:

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

Go Read PK 

One Black Cat: Aik Kala Billa 

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

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Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here 

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. We are back after a short break this week to talk about Hebrew, Arabic and Persian with Erin who is a Western & Central Asian linguist and academic, a translator and teacher.

In this episode, Erin and I talk about her beginnings as a linguist through the Spanish and French languages and how she came to studying Arabic and Semitic languages. She tells us about the grammar and spoken similarities between Arabic and Hebrew and about loan words and influences on Persian from Arabic. We unpack the terms Persian, Farsi and Dari and try to understand when to use which and where in the world we can expect to use each term. Erin tells us about her view on being a professional translator and why it’s not as simple a job as an outsider may think. She tells us about what she thinks it means to embody a language and the important nuances of appropriation vs appreciation. Make sure you stay tuned to the end of this episode to learn a Syrian proverb along with me - there will be plenty of opportunities to practice the letter ghayn.

Big thank you to Erin for sharing your wisdom and expertise and languages with all of us. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! Special shout out to Speaking Tongues’ recent supporters and Patrons Heidi L., Linnea H and Pat N. If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are below!

To find Erin:

IG trans.lingual

Twitter trans_lingual

Website: www.exhalingwords.com

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

Follow on Twitter: @stpodcasthost

Like our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Hello Language Lovers. Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, I am joined by Wanyā, an American Sign Language  interpreter and we are talking about all things ASL!

Now this is just the audio version of our conversation and I really think the best way to listen in on our conversation would be to head over to YouTube and watch the video of our chat. In this episode, Wanyā tells us how ASL came into his life and how he started signing. We talk about things that may not be known by people outside of the deaf community, the basics of ASL and some of the first things that one learns in this language. Wanyā tells us why it’s important to learn ASL from a deaf person and how we can respectfully engage with the deaf community. He tells us how the interpretation profession works on a technical level and we talk about the different types of ASL interpretation. We also touch briefly on Black American Sign Language and in a second episode we are diving into a deeper conversation about Black American Sign Language with Dr. Joseph C. Hill of the Rochester Institute of Technology. You can find both of these episodes on YouTube and while you are over there, please make sure you subscribe, like and comment on these videos so that I will know that you are interested in more of this type of content.

Big thank you to Wanya for not only coming to chat with me about ASL but for also facilitating an introduction to Dr. Hill for episode 106 and for you time and effort in providing the closed captioning for this episode. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! Special shout out to Speaking Tongues’ recent supporters and Patrons Heidi L., Linnea H and Pat N. If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are in the show notes!

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

Follow on Twitter: @stpodcasthost

Like our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here 

Hello Language Lovers Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals.This week, we’re talking with Emily from Tea with Emily about her journey to learning Brazilian Portuguese and about her tips for learning a language YOUR way.

In this episode, Emily tells us about her experience with learning other languages, including French, Spanish and Korean as a native British English speaker. She takes us back to the beginning of the pandemic when she started learning Portuguese with a challenge she named “ The Loneliness Project”. We talk about the way she has been able to use language exchange apps to her advantage and she also shares the dos and don'ts that work for her when finding a language partner. Emily is also a published author and she’s talking to us about her book series “How to Be Me: Life Stories” which is available now on Amazon in English and French. Spanish, German & Brazilian Portuguese. Link to buy is listed in the shownotes of this episode.

Thank you to Emily for sharing your language learning process with all of us.  If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! Special shout out to Speaking Tongues’ recent supporters and Patrons Linnea H and Pat N. If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! 

To find Emily & How to Be Me series:

Website: https://campsite.bio/teawithemily

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

Follow on Twitter: @stpodcasthost

Like our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here

Hello language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, we’re speaking about Missouri French with Louranse Deveraux, the founder of NorthAmericanFrench.com

In this conversation, Louranse is telling us about his exposure to Missouri French through family heritage. We learn about dialectical changes in Missouri French and relationships to other North American French dialects including Kouri Vini, Haitian Creole and New Orleans Creole.  He tells us about the places where French was historically spoken in the Midwest and where we see vestiges of the language in the area today. We also talk about foods that are part of the culture including the paw paw fruit and where possum is likely to end up on your dinner table. Louranse also tells us about the connection to Missouri French through Wolof and how storytelling and folk characters in the Missouri French culture retain a link to this Senegalese language.

Big thank you to Louranse for sharing your knowledge about the language and history of Missouri French with all of us. If you enjoy episodes of Speaking Tongues, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers like ourselves can find the show! If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And as you know, I wrote a book! My food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1. is available now for purchase! Check social media for the sneak peek inside of the book and make sure you purchase for yourself and your friends! Links to all platforms are in the show notes!

To find North American French

Website: northamericanfrench.com

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northamericanfrench/

Speaking Tongues Podcast:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

Follow on Twitter: @stpodcasthost

Like our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here