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. My guest today is Liza who joins me to talk about her languages of Tunisian Arabic and Afrikaans.

In this episode, we travel from the North to the South of Africa.  Liza talks about how she started learning the Tunisian dialect of Arabic and how her knowledge of French language plays a role in helping to communicate in this dialect. We talk about code switching in Tunisnan and conjugation patterns of Arabic spoken in North Africa that share similarities with Tamazigh. We talk about what Western ideology gets wrong about the Arabic speaking world and Liza even tells us what Tunisian has in common with Afrikaans. We also talk a bit about her native Afrikaans language and its place among other languages of South Africa including a full circle moment with a clear connection to the Arabic language.

Big thank you to Liza for this very thoughtful conversation about her languages. If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! Ok! Let's chat!

To Find Liza

IG @liza.learns.languages

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

Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This is Episode 91 and we are officially 9 episodes away from episode 100! This week, my guest Esther joins me to talk about her languages of Basque and Spanish.

Esther talks to us about growing up with Spanish as her first language in the US. She shares her connections to her Basque heritage through her parents and how the heritage was a part of her upbringing. She tells us about the Basque communities in the Western U.S. and how she started on her own journey to learning the language and eventually to teaching it. Esther tells us some wonderful stories on the people and experiences she encountered as she was learning the language. And for those of you who are learning Euskera or curious about how to speak it, Esther is sharing a few helpful tips that can help you understand the language.

Big thank you to Esther for sharing parts of your languages and heritage with us.  If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! 

To find Esther:

Website: https://www.estherciganda.com/

Immigrant All Around Podcast: https://www.estherciganda.com/the-immigrant-all-around-podcast/

Teach Launch Create Podcast: https://www.podpage.com/teach-launch-create/

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/estherciganda

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

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This is episode 90 everyone!  I’m thrilled to officially start the countdown to 100 episodes with my guest Dr. Ardi Mendoza. In this episode we’re talking about his two languages of Tagalog and Spanish.

Ardi talks to us about growing up in NYC in his Tagalog speaking Filipino family and how he became fluent in Spanish (two separate things). We talk about some family connections through traditions and food & also about how he’s reinvesting in learning Tagalog as an adult. Ardi tells us about some customs in Filipino culture including honorifics that are used for older and younger relatives and how grammar and gender distinctions are important to the culture. He tells us about how he’s able to use his languages in his workplace as a doctor and how important language is when it comes to providing excellent patient care. Other topics include : Peruvian slang, Spanish language influence on Tagalog and the endless joy of the balikbayan box.

Big thank you to Ardi for this conversation and teaching us all a little bit about your heritage.  If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! 

To Find Ardi

Instagram: (@) ardimendoza

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

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. In this episode, I’m joined by sisters Lara and Mira from Australia who talk to us about the Albanian language.

Lara & Mira tell us about their family connection to the language through their grandparents. We talk about their language adventures on some of their earliest trips to Albania. They explain how their Albanian seemed to me more “frozen in time” compared to how the language is spoken colloquially in Albania. We talk about polyphony and polyphonic music in Albanian culture, unexpected things encountered when visiting the country, wedding traditions and celebrations that last for days and some similarities between Albanian and Greek languages. If you pay close enough attention, there are also some moments where we get to learn some Australian English that doesn’t quite translate to Albanian or, to American English either!

Thank you so much Lara & Mira for sharing your story and parts of your heritage with all of us. If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes!

To Find Lara & Mira’s Work:

Zemerbags: @zemerbags (IG)

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

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. Today, my guest Jessica Kumar, host of the Invisible India Podcast joins me to talk about Hindi.

In this episode, she tells us how an opportunity to work abroad in India completely changed her life. She talks about her journey with the Hindi language including why devanagari script makes learning Hindi much easier than it might appear to be. Jessica talks to us about the kind of Hindi spoken in Bihar, where she lives with her husband and kids and how it’s different from Hindi spoken in other cities. We talk about the other languages that influence Bihari Hindi, the kinds of food she loves cooking in India, and even how a lot of people in the U.S. have the wrong idea about the value that arranged marriage can have.

Big thank you to Jessica for this conversation about Hindi and giving us a glimpse into India’s beauty!  If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! Ok! 

To Find Jessica:

Website: https://invisibleindiapodcast.com/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfFznDUloRgilbwc-8D4mOg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible

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

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

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. Today, I’m joined by Katie from Myanmar Indigenous Community Partners to talk about Burmese language and Indigenous languages in Myanmar.

Katie tells us how she got started with learning Burmese language and how she uses it in her work as a linguist. We talk about grammar and how its structure stands out among the other languages of the region. Katie talks to us about over 100 languages spoken in Myanmar by indigenous groups and how these languages get used in daily life. We talk about the Eight “major” indigenous languages in the country and how they are used in the area of the country bordering Bangladesh and Thailand. Katie gives us a brief explanation of the conflict happening now in Myanmar and shares resources for all of us to learn more about the conflict in depth. We also learn about Myanmar Indigenous Community Partners and the work they are doing to advocate for the language and education of indigenous groups in Myanmar.

Big thank you to Katie from MICP and to learn more about their work in the community, you can click on the links in the show notes. If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! Ok! let’s chat!

To Find MICP:

Website: https://myanmaricp.org/

Instagram: @myanmaricp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/myanmaricp

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

Myanmar NOW: 

Frontier Myanmar

GM4MD

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

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. My guest today is Raul Blaze, a man of many talents including radio show host, workout instructor, social media personality and most recently poet. Today we’re talking about his language of Jamaican Patois.

Raul talks to us about growing up in rural Jamaica with a curiosity to see and experience the world. He tells us about the Patois spoken there and how there are connections to West African languages and other languages spoken in the Caribbean. He illustrates the differences in Patois spoken all over Jamaica including how pronunciation changes and words are used differently. We talk about code switching among older Jamaicans and how Hollywood movies and television do a disservice to Jamaicans and Patois speakers, accentwise. He tells us about Jamaican culture beyond the stereotypical things that many people associate with the island and the connection between Jamaican spirituality and music.

Right before the recording of this episode, Raul found out that his book of poetry “Fimi Patwa” would be published and he shared this news with us in the recording. The book is available now on BN.com if you are curious to read in the language - I’ve read it, I highly recommend it! Big thank you to Raul for sharing Jamaican language and culture with us in this episode.  If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! Ok! let’s chat!

To Find Raul:

Instagram: @raul_blaze

TikTok: @raulblazeofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/raulblaze1

The Raul Blaze Show on Streaminn Hub Radio: http://www.streaminnhubradio.com/raul-blaze/

Fimi Patwa on BN.com :https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fimi-patwa-raul-a-davis/1140482869?ean=9781737171706

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

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. My guest today is Olga, a historical linguist and Sanskrit teacher who talks with us about two of her languages, Sanskrit and Lithuanian.

I was so excited to talk with Olga because this is the first time on the show that we’re really having a conversation about Ancient languages. Olga tells us how she started on the path to studying ancient languages starting from an opportunity at school. We talk about the Proto Indo-European Language and the methods that linguists are using toward its reconstruction. We talk about differences between Classical and Vedic Sanskrit, how the language changed through the Vedas and how Sanskrit spread and gained influence through Buddhism and South Asian languages. In this conversation Olga also explains why she would describe Sanskrit as a highly synthetic language and we also learn how Lithuanian plays a HUGE role in reconstruction of the Proto-Indo-European Language.

Thank you to Olga for taking us on this historical language journey and helping us to see the connections between these languages. To learn more about Olga’s work, be sure to check the links to her website in the show notes.  If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! 

To Find Olga:

Website: https://warpgrid.de/idiomarium/

Twitter: @idiomarium

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

Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. My guest today is Meri Maroutian, an English teacher and the creator of The Non Native Speaker and this week, we’re talking about two of her languages, Armenian and English.

Meri talks to us about the advantages and disadvantages of traveling the world as she grew up and how the different places she landed with her family shaped her view of communicating. We talk about staying connected to her Armenian roots and the language despite not having grown up in Armenia. She tells us about the many Armenians living in the diaspora and some ways that millions of them are able to keep their customs and traditions close to their hearts and we learn some very basic Armenian phrases including one of the cutest greetings I’ve ever heard!!  Meri is working tirelessly to help eliminate the stigma that non-native English teachers face and we learn what she’s doing to fight back and change the narrative around native speakerism.

Huge thank you to Meri for this fun conversation and for all the work you do in language. If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! Ok! let’s chat!

To find Meri

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

Website: https://thenonnativespeaker.com/

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiCSFMKwwHQ1zs6xN6FpAfQ

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

Hello Language Lovers! Happy New Year and Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. After a short break at the end of 2021, I’m happy to be back to bring you this episode with my guest Amelia, the founder of Learn Maori Abroad to talk about Te Reo Maori.

In this conversation we are learning a ton about the Maori language, culture and community. Amelia tells us about grammar basics and dialectical differences of the language. We learn about the devastating  history of suppression with  Te Reo Maori - and you may remember in previous episodes the similar story of Polynesian cultures being forced to abandon their language under colonization so we find out the experience in Aotearoa. Amelia tells about how Maori people honor the connections between one another and nature and also how patriarchal systems have had an impact on Maori culture. We also learn the cultural importance and significance of one of my favorite things on earth - can you guess what it is? And stay tuned for Amelia’s answer to the last question of the episode where Amelia recites a meaningful Karakia in Maori with a valuable message that I think should be heard by all.

Big thank you to Amelia for sharing so much of your culture with us and don’t forget to check out Learn Maori Abroad, links to which can be found in the show notes.

If you enjoy this episode 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! And, If you’ve been a long time listener of the show or a recent listener, you can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com. Patreon extras are coming soon! Links to all platforms are in the show notes! Ok! let’s chat!

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:

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