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

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:

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 

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:

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

This episode from the archives is a conversation about Greek language and culture with Stefanos, (IG: Learngreekwithstefanos) Greek language teacher from Cyprus. This episode was originally published on August 9, 2021

In this episode, Stefanos shares:

🇬🇷 The connections between modern and ancient Greek, and the intriguing triple Greek dialect.

🇬🇷 Insights into Greek etymology and some favorite root words that appear in modern languages.

🇬🇷 The diverse Greek dialects found throughout the Mediterranean, and their connections to languages spoken in Albania and Bulgaria.

🇬🇷 A walkthrough of Greek grammar, and a discussion on Greek culture and music.

In case you missed it, this is a repost of Episode 33. Speaking Swahili, Kikuyu & Sheng, first published Nov 16, 2020.

Our guest Wairimu (@mwalimuwairimu) talks with us about experiences growing up in a multilingual environment and the origins of Swahili, its spread through East Africa, and the unique differences between coastal and Nairobi Swahili.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇰🇪 Wairimu’s journey from being exposed to Kikuyu and English as a child to learning Swahili and French.

🇰🇪 The impact of educational policies on native language use in Kenyan schools and the broader implications for identity and culture.

🇰🇪 The cultural and linguistic diversity of Swahili, including its Bantu and Arabic influences and regional variations.

🇰🇪 The emergence and evolution of Sheng, a dynamic urban youth language in Nairobi, and the societal reactions to its growing prominence.

🇰🇪 The role of Swahili as a unifying language in Kenya and its use in various contexts, from marketplaces to media and politics.

🇰🇪 Wairimu’s personal project, Mwalimu Wairimu, and her mission to preserve and promote Swahili language and Kenyan culture through social media.

🇰🇪 My attempt at learning a Swahili proverb, showcasing the beauty and challenge of embracing a new language.

Hello Language Lovers! Welcome back to a new episode of Speaking Tongues.

This week, we're thrilled to explore several languages through jazz music, the legendary and influential Cesária Évora, and the new album, Cape Verdean Blues with the incredibly talented Kavita Shah. Kavita is an award-winning vocalist, composer, researcher, and educator who deeply engages with the jazz tradition while advancing its global sensibilities. In September 2023, after seven years of immersing herself in the traditional music of Cesária Évora on the Atlantic island of São Vicente, Kavita released her latest album, Cape Verdean Blues, which has been described as "gorgeous" by The Guardian and "quietly riveting" by The New York Times. 

In this episode, we discuss:

🎵 Kavita’s multilingual journey, starting with Gujarati and spanning languages like Spanish, French, Portuguese, Yoruba, Hindi, Cape Verdean Creole, and more.

🎵 The influence of her multicultural upbringing in New York City and how it shaped her musical and linguistic path.

🎵 Her deep connection with Cesária Évora’s music and the profound impact of experiencing Cesaria live in concert while living in Brazil.

🎵 The journey of learning Cape Verdean Creole and the cultural significance of the language and music in Cape Verde.

🎵 The emotional and cultural resonance of the concept of "saudade" and how it connects to her own experiences of longing and belonging.

🎵 The process of creating her album Cape Verdean Blues, including her collaboration with Cesária’s musical director, Bau.

🎵 The founding of Folkalist Records, a music label centering female voices from the Global South, and its mission to celebrate and uplift diverse musical traditions.

Thank you to Kavita for sharing your incredible linguistic and musical journey, your culture, and your music and our shared love of Cesaria 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! 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 Connect with Kavita Shah:

Website: www.kavitashahmusic.com

www.instagram.com/cantakavita 

www.facebook.com/KavitaShahMusic

https://www.youtube.com/KavitaShahMusic 

www.twitter.com/cantakavita 

FOLKALIST SOCIAL MEDIA

Website: www.folkalistrecords.com

www.instagram.com/folkalistrecords 

www.facebook.com/FolkalistRecords

Listen to Cape Verdean Blues:

BandCamp: https://kavitashah.bandcamp.com/album/cape-verdean-blues

Connect with Speaking Tongues:

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! Welcome back to a new episode of Speaking Tongues. This week, we're thrilled to have this conversation about Fado music and European Portuguese language with Cordeone, a multi-instrumentalist who began his musical journey at the tender age of nine. Cordeone's impressive repertoire includes the accordion, piano, classic guitar, Portuguese guitar, Brazilian percussion, drums, and bass. By 18, he had embarked on a professional music career, collaborating with artists across North and South America, the EU, and Africa. Today, he joins us to share his fascinating linguistic and musical adventures.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇵🇹🇫🇷 Cordeone’’s bilingual upbringing in a Portuguese family in France, and how he navigated speaking both languages.

🇵🇹 The nuances of Portuguese dialects, including the differences between countryside Portuguese and Lisbon city Portuguese.

🇵🇹 The journey of reacquiring and refining his Portuguese language skills, especially through his passion for fado music.

🇵🇹 The influence of other languages on modern Portuguese, with slang phrases that come from Angola and Brazil

🇵🇹 The rich culture of Portugal, from the welcoming nature of its people to its diverse culinary delights.

🇵🇹 The distinct characteristics of fado music, its emotional depth, and the integral role of the Portuguese guitar.

🇵🇹 The evolution of fado, from traditional forms to contemporary expressions, and Cordeone’s personal contributions to the genre.

🇵🇹 The unique traditions within fado performances, including the playful, competitive exchanges between singers.

Thank you to Cordeone for sharing your incredible journey, your culture, and your music 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! 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 Connect with Cordeone:

www.cordeone.com

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/album/6qJVo4rGdQeMYjDnim2Xz9

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cordeone/1215145816

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cordeone/featured

Connect with Speaking Tongues:

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! Welcome back to a new episode of Speaking Tongues. This week, we're thrilled to chat with Chef Alexandra Strong, the executive chef for Restaurant Associates at the Mitsitam Café located at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. Chef Alex shares her rich multicultural background with roots in the Indigenous Caribbean, West Africa, and Europe, and her unique culinary experience that honors the diversity of Indigenous communities of the Western Hemisphere. 

In this episode, we explore:

🌽 Chef Alex’s journey from Puerto Rico to The Bronx, NY and how her Puerto Rican and Indigenous Taino heritage influences her culinary creations.

🌽 The linguistic and cultural differences between Puerto Rican Spanish in New York City versus on the island, and how these differences manifest in food traditions.

🌽 The importance of traditional ingredients and cooking methods, and Chef Alex’s commitment to honoring these practices in her dishes.

🌽 The fascinating connections between Caribbean and African cuisines, and the shared ingredients and dishes that link these cultures.

🌽 Chef Alex’s innovative approach to fusing traditional Puerto Rican flavors with other culinary traditions, such as her sweet plantain and goat cheese ravioli.

🌽 The role of language and communication in the kitchen, and how Chef Alex fosters a multicultural and inclusive environment for her diverse team.

🌽 The responsibilities of representing Indigenous cuisines authentically, and the importance of using traditional ingredients and techniques.

🌽 The significance of food as a medium for cultural expression, history, and storytelling, and how Chef Alex uses her platform to educate and celebrate Indigenous heritage.

Thank you to Chef Alex for sharing your incredible journey, your culture, and your culinary wisdom with us and for being a beacon of Bronx excellence. A very special thank you to Raya Sfeir at Restaurant Associates and to the Mitsitam Café at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian for facilitating this conversation. 

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! 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!

Visit Mitsitam Café: Mitsitam Café at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian 

Connect with Speaking Tongues:

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! Welcome back to a new episode of Speaking Tongues. This week, we're pumped to dive into Marathi language and culture with Uma, a writer, literary translator, and film enthusiast. In this conversation, Uma shares a wealth of knowledge about linguistic traditions in South Asia and shares her personal journey with translating her mother tongue, Marathi.

In this episode, we explore:

🇮🇳 Uma’s linguistic background, growing up in Mumbai and learning multiple languages including Marathi, English, Gujarati, and Hindi.

🇮🇳 The linguistic diversity of Mumbai and how different languages influence each other in this melting pot city.

🇮🇳 The historical and cultural significance of Marathi, its literary traditions, and the influence of Persian on the language.

🇮🇳 The unique characteristics of Mumbai Hindi and how it differs from standard Hindi due to Marathi influence.

🇮🇳 Uma’s journey into literary translation, her passion for sharing Marathi culture, and the challenges and joys of translating literature.

🇮🇳 The vibrant Marathi cinema, notable directors, and films that showcase the cultural and historical richness of the Marathi-speaking community.

🇮🇳 The culinary delights of Maharashtra, including the famous Ukadiche Modak and the beloved Varan Bhaat.

Thank you to Uma for sharing your work, your culture, and your language 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! 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 Connect with Uma:

Instagram: @lyrically_obscure

Connect with Speaking Tongues:

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! Welcome back to a new episode of Speaking Tongues. This week we’re celebrating Ekpeye language and culture with Franca, founder of the  Speak Ekpeye Fluently Language Initiative, an NGO dedicated to the revitalization and promotion of the Ekpeye language. 

In this episode we discuss: 

🇳🇬the intricacies of the Ekpeye language, its tonal and descriptive nature used when communicating in the language

🇳🇬It’s similarities and differences to the Igbo language, and how despite often classified as a dialect of Igbo, the traits that make Ekpeye stand out as its own language

🇳🇬The debate between Ekpeye & Igbo over names with “chi” and the reasons people have for thinking these names belong to one or the other

🇳🇬We learn why until recently, there had not been a word in Ekpeye for “window” - and Franca tells us what that word is!

🇳🇬Festivals that are present in her community and how wrestling is a much beloved sport in Ekpeye land

🇳🇬How she started encouraging students to learn Ekpeye and the importance of being able to communicate in this language as well as one the major 3 Nigerian languages

Thank you to Franca for sharing your knowledge, your culture, and your language 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! 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 Connect with Franca: 

Website: https://speakekpeyefluently.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPEAK.ekpeye.fluently/?_rdc=1&_rdr

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@speakekpeyefluently692

7000 Languages: https://www.7000.org/ekpeye

Connect with Speaking Tongues: 

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! Welcome back to a new episode of Speaking Tongues. This week, we’re excited to share this conversation about the Irish and Valencian languages with Alexandra, a PhD candidate at the University of Valencia and a mentor with the Endangered Languages Project. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Alexandra now resides in Valencia, Spain, and shares her incredible journey and insights into these two vibrant languages and cultures.

In this conversation, we discuss:

🇮🇪 Alexandra’s linguistic journey, starting with her first language, English, and her experiences learning Irish, Spanish, and Valencian.

🇮🇪 The dynamic linguistic landscape of Ireland, especially in Dublin, and how Irish is becoming more prevalent in urban areas.

🇮🇪 The structure and characteristics of the Irish language, including its verb-subject-object word order, initial mutations, and prepositional pronouns.

🇮🇪 The historical and ongoing efforts to promote and normalize the use of Irish in Dublin and other urban areas.

🇮🇪 The challenges and stigmas associated with speaking Irish in Dublin, and how these perceptions are being challenged and changed.

🇮🇪 Alexandra’s research on urban speakers of minoritized languages and her work with the Endangered Languages Project.

🇪🇸 The Valencian language and its relationship with Catalan, including the debate on whether Valencian is a variety of Catalan or a separate language.

🇪🇸 The cultural and linguistic diversity in Valencia, and the challenges faced by Valencian speakers in maintaining their language in urban settings.

🇪🇸 The impact of urbanization and globalization on minoritized languages, and the efforts to create spaces where these languages can thrive.

🇪🇸 Alexandra’s personal experiences and reflections on the importance of language and cultural identity in both Ireland and Valencia.

Thank you to Alexandra for sharing your knowledge, your culture, and your languages 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! 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 Connect with Alexandra:

Email: [email protected]

Schedule an ELP Mentor appointment/ Is féidir leat cruinniú saor in aisce a chur in áirithe anseo:

https://endangeredlanguagesproject.as.me/schedule/9f4dee73/appointment/40138871/calendar/7762129?appointmentTypeIds[]=40138871

Connect with Speaking Tongues: 

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