The Secret Life of Language

Mystical messages infuse the batá drumming of Nigeria’s Yoruba people. Emerging in the 6th Century royal courts of the Oyo Empire, the artform was transplanted to Cuba during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, where it became critical to the survival of African ethnic identity under Spanish colonial rule, and subsequently became embedded in Cuban culture more broadly.

This episode unveils the meanings and messages of batá drumming by bringing together the insights of three people uniquely connected to the tradition. Ms. Bosede Adetifa, from Yorubaland, is the Language and Outreach Coordinator of the Yoruba Heritage and Cultural Association of Victoria (Australia). Mr. Aloy Junco is a professional dancer and drummer from Cuba, who grew up surrounded by batá drumming. Professor Adrian Hearn is an anthropologist and drummer of English and Brazilian descent, who has lived in West Africa and Cuba to study drumming traditions. The three are collaborating in the Suns of Mercury initiative, which is funded by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Suns of Mercury create music, film, and performances with Melbourne-based artists from Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Listen to Suns of Mercury’s music on Spotify.

All music in this episode is by Suns of Mercury.

Live percussion played by Adrian Hearn, Aloy Junco and Lukas Enciso

Aloy Junco's dance class can be found at https://www.cubaneoinaustralia.com

For more information about Yoruba culture in Victoria visit https://www.yhcav.org.au

The Secret Life of Language is a podcast from the University of Melbourne’s School of Languages and Linguistics. This episode was produced by Eric van Bemmel and Kelvin Param of Profactual, Gavin Nebauer, and Professor Adrian Hearn. Recorded and mixed by Gavin Nebauer at The Horwood Recording Studio, the University of Melbourne.

“It takes courage … to switch a language.”

In this bonus episode, we delve deeper into the topic of language shift in present-day Ukraine. Through the lens of two young Ukrainians, Amina and Volodymyr, who found themselves relocating to Australia after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we gain firsthand insights into language practices and views among Ukrainian youth.

In conversation with Olga Maxwell, Amina and Volodymyr share their personal experiences of growing up with two languages – Ukrainian and Russian – and how things have changed in the context of the war. Their narratives reveal the complexities of navigating dual linguistic identities and the interplay between language, identity, and belonging.

The Secret Life of Language is a podcast from the University of Melbourne’s School of Languages and Linguistics. This episode was produced by Eric van Bemmel and Kelvin Param of Profactual, Gavin Nebauer, and Olga Maxwell, and was recorded and mixed by Gavin Nebauer at The Horwood recording Studio University of Melbourne.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians who grew up speaking Russian are now making the shift to Ukrainian. But what’s motivating this shift? How does language feature more largely in Russia’s war against Ukraine? And what’s been the impact of centuries of Russification, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and identity, on present-day Ukraine?

In this episode of The Secret Life of Language, we delve into these questions with the insights of historian Dr Iryna Skubii and linguist Dr Natalia Kudriavtseva, exploring the complexities of the language question in Ukraine. We also talk to two young Ukrainians, Amina and Volodymyr, about their lived experiences between the two languages. Presented by Dr Olga Maxwell.

The Secret Life of Language is a podcast from the University of Melbourne’s School of Languages and Linguistics. This episode was produced by Eric van Bemmel and Kelvin Param of Profactual, Gavin Nebauer, and Olga Maxwell.