Between Tahitian and French: How This Teacher Strives to Keep Her Family’s Language Alive

This episode was originally published on April 26, 2023 Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. It’s no secret that I’ve been wanting to feature the Welsh language on this show for years, so I’m thrilled to have this conversation with Dafydd, host of the Life to the Full Podcast, about the Welsh language and culture in Wales. You’ll definitely want to stay tuned throughout as we learn a LOT of Welsh vocab and pronunciation this week. In this episode, Dafydd tells us about growing up speaking Welsh and English and attending school where Welsh was the language of instruction. He breaks down the Welsh language and how to understand and use the grammar and he even lets us know the one linguistic feature of Welsh that he loves. Since Wales is a bilingual country, we learn about where we’ll hear the language spoken and where we’ll see it while out and about. We take a pointed look at Welsh poetry including examples of the Cynghannedd rhyming pattern and Dafydd tells us about Welsh rugby, the longest place name in Europe and life in Cardiff. Massive thank you to Dafydd for this conversation and talking with us about your language and culture.  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.Speaking Tongues Podcast:Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on Twitter: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge on-going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastBuy 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 was originally published on August 16, 2021 Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. My guest today is Moenau and we’re having a conversation about the Tahitian language and the culture of French Polynesia.I learned a TON in this episode and I hope that you listeners will as well. Moenau talks to us about growing up in French Polynesia speaking French and learning the Tahitian language from her great-grandmother. She tells us not only about the Tahitian language but also about the 5 other languages that are native to French Polynesia. We talk about the differences within the country among these different languages and we learn about the grammatical structure of Tahitian and what makes it stand out among other languages in the South Pacific. We definitely spend some time talking about culture in French Polynesia including a rich and meaningful storytelling tradition and the cultural concept of “mana” that exists in many cultures and countries in the South Pacific As an extra to this episode, you can find a deleted portion of the conversation by becoming a member on Buy me a Coffee where Moenau and I talk about Tahitian food and culinary traditions. We’re discussing all of it from seafood to desserts to tropical fruits that you probably won't find outside of the region. If you don’t know much about Tahitian food, you will want to hear this - but don’t listen on an empty stomach! Big thank you to Moenau for this conversation and for sharing your Tahitian language and your culture with us. If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts or 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 comConnect with Speaking Tongues:Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on Twitter: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge ongoing monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastBuy 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 was originally published on June 3, 2024Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues, the podcast in conversation with multi linguals. Today, we’re talking with Óskar about Icelandic language and culture. Óskar Bragi is the Chief Icelandic Language Coach at Speak Viking. He has been teaching Icelandic for over 10 years. When not teaching, you can find him: Spending time with his daughter, going to the movies (he's a bit of a human IMDB and loves soaking in everything about the art of filmmaking), marveling and exploring the gorgeous and dramatic Icelandic nature. Occasionally he will cool off with an ice plunge (sometimes in the Atlantic Ocean!) but he IS frequently warming up with a great cup of coffee.In this episode we talk about: The Icelandic language’s relation to Old Norse and connection to Faroese Some reasons he’s encountered people wanting to learn the languageHow filler words can help Icelandic learners in conversationsThe historical push to maintain the integrity of IcelandicIcelandic self care rituals and the traditions of the thermal watersAnd surprisingly enough, Icelandic hip hop music. Big thank you to Oskar for sharing your language, culture and your sense of humor 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! Thank you to Good Good for sponsoring this episode of Speaking Tongues. Born in Iceland, made in the EU, GOOD GOOD offers better for you pantry staples. Naturally derived, non-GMO, low carb, and low calorie, GOOD GOOD jams and spreads are perfect for anyone looking to cut down on sugar without sacrificing taste. Find them on Amazon and in stores across the US, Europe, Canada, and more. Learn more at goodgoodbrand.com.Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on Twitter: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge on-going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastBuy 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 was originally published on Dec 6, 2021Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week’s episode is the last new episode of 2021 and I’m so excited to share this conversation with Luna from Collina Italiana where we talk about the language, history and culture of Italian-Americans. This conversation is an important one because we’ve had the opportunity to talk about a culture and a language here in the US that is often, at best, misunderstood and at worst, stereotyped. Luna talks to us about the history of Italian immigration to the U.S. and which regions of Italy came to influence the development of Italian spoken here. We talk about how the language is evolving over generations in the U.S. and some common factors between recent immigrant families and those families whose ancestors immigrated generations ago. We talk about harmful stereotypes that have perpetuated about the Italian-American community so stay tuned for that segmentAnd, because we love words around here, Luna talks to us about some words that she’s researched for her series “Cosa Dici” where she finds the origins of some commonly used Italian-American words. Big thank you to Luna for having this conversation with us and giving us the history lesson we need to understand the Italian-American community better. This episode is just the latest in a handful of episodes where we’ve discussed languages spoken in the U.S so if you’re interested in learning more about indigenous, colonial or immigrant languages spoken here in the U.S. make sure you listen to Episode 70. Speaking Gullah Geechee with Sunn M’Cheaux, Episode 58. Speaking U.S. Spanish with Tertulia Podcast, 55. Speaking Hawaiian with Halau Olelo and Episode  49. Speaking North American French and Spanish with Multilingual Marissa. 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.  Speaking Tongues Podcast:Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on Twitter: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastBuy 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 was originally published on Sept 12, 2022Hello 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! Speaking Tongues Podcast:Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on Twitter: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge on going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastBuy 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 was originally published on March 11, 2024 Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues, the podcast in conversation with multi linguals. This week, we’re talking with Dr. Eukene Franco Landa about her language of Basque. Eukene is a Ph.D. in Linguistic Studies at the University of Miami. She is an advocate of minority languages and cultures. Her work focuses on the language variation in young Basque speakers and ethnolinguistic identities and attitudes towards Basque, both in the Basque Country and the Basque diaspora of Idaho.In this episode we discuss:The perceptions of Basque being a “difficult” language and why that’s not trueEfforts that have been made over decades to ensure that children are learning the languageTrauma that exists within minoritized languagesThe standard variety of Basque and the local languages spoken in Pais Vasco Conducting research among the Basque community in IdahoBig eskerrik asko to Eukene for sharing your language, your research and culture 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. Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on Twitter: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge on-going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastBuy 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 was originally published on May 22, 2023Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals.This week’s episode we are talking with Yara Elmjouie who is a James Beard award winning, and Emmy winning journalist for AJ Plus about his language of Persian. I’ve been a fan of Yara’s work for a long time and I’m thrilled to have had a chance to talk with him about Persian language and Iranian and Iranian-American culture and heritage. In this episode, we talk about some of his favorite things about Persian language, including direct object identifiers and its similarity to other languages he’s familiar with. We talk about growing up between the US and Iran, navigating the cultural differences between the two places. Yara talks to us about exploring rural parts of Iran with his dad and encountering first hand how language varies around the country. He also tells us about his path to becoming a journalist and being intentional about reconnecting to his Persian heritage. Big thank you to Yara for this conversation and for sharing your language, culture and your work 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. Speaking Tongues Podcast:Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on Twitter: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge on-going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastBuy 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! In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Albert Ventayol, a computational linguist dedicated to bridging the gap between indigenous and low-resource languages and technology. With a Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara, Albert is currently on assignment at Meta, where he is working towards achieving omnilinguality in AI-powered automatic speech recognition (ASR) and machine translation (MT).Albert shares his fascinating journey through the world of languages, beginning with his upbringing in a multilingual family where Catalan, Spanish, and English were spoken. His passion for languages led him to explore various linguistic landscapes, including Polish, Russian, Yukaghir languages, and Welsh, and to study the complexities of language identity and power dynamics.In this episode, we discuss:- The significance of computational linguistics in preserving and promoting low-resource languages.- Albert's experiences learning and teaching languages, and how they shaped his understanding of linguistic diversity.- The impact of technology on indigenous languages and the potential for AI to aid in language revitalization efforts.- The challenges of building language technology that serves all languages equitably.- Albert's current work at Meta and the exciting projects aimed at supporting multilingual communities.Big thank you to Albert for sharing his insights and experiences with us. If you enjoyed this episode of Speaking Tongues, please subscribe, rate, and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to like and subscribe on YouTube to help other language lovers discover the show! You can also support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon, and check out my food 'zine, Taste Buds Vol 1., available for purchase now! Links to all platforms are below!To Connect with Albert:Listen to Lingüistes de Capçalera: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YLfgsoZkP8sdFzjPTtKKJ?si=EGFBLPYBTMuKBz1KVG_nAQ&nd=1&dlsi=8e12460414084e78Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgSupport Speaking Tongues on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge ongoing monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastSubscribe to my Substack: https://speakingtonguespod.substack.com/Shop my Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/speakingtonguespodBuy my Food Zine, Taste Buds Vol. 1 here: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4language#speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtongues #languagepodcast #ComputationalLinguistics #AIandLanguage

Hello Language Lovers! In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we are excited to welcome Janine Lutchman-Nkouetang, a passionate foreign language educator and writer whose work  intersects culture, identity, and heritage. As a co-editor and contributing author of the book series "Unearthing Traditions: Stories of Language and Culture," Janine shares her insights on the importance of storytelling in understanding diverse cultural experiences and the role of language in shaping our identities.Janine opens up about her linguistic journey, revealing her dual first languages of English and Trinidadian Creole English (TEC), and her experiences learning and teaching Mandarin at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine campus. We explore the dynamic language landscape of Trinidad and Tobago, discussing the interchangeability of TEC and English in various social contexts, as well as the historical influences that have shaped the unique Creole spoken in Trinidad.In this episode, we cover:🇹🇹 The significance of Trinidadian Creole English and its role in everyday communication.🇹🇹 The impact of colonial history on the development of Creole languages in Trinidad and its uniquely different development in Tobago.🇹🇹 Janine's unexpected journey into teaching Mandarin and how her experiences resonate with her students.🇹🇹 The importance of cultural storytelling and its role in preserving heritage through the book series.🇹🇹 The vibrant celebration of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and its significance in uniting the community.Big thank you to Janine for sharing her experiences and insights with us. If you enjoyed this episode of Speaking Tongues, please subscribe, rate, and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and like and subscribe on YouTube to help other language lovers discover the show! You can also support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon, and check out my food 'zine, Taste Buds Vol 1., available for purchase now! Links to all platforms are below!To Connect with Janine:@janiknots (Instagram & TikTok) / Janine Lutchman-Nkouetang (Facebook & LinkedIn)Connect with Speaking Tongues:Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on X: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge ongoing monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastSubscribe to my Substack: https://speakingtonguespod.substack.com/Shop my Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/speakingtonguespodBuy my Food Zine, Taste Buds Vol. 1 here: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4#speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtongues #languagepodcast

Hello Language Lovers! In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Ellis, a pioneering figure in the revival of the Cornish language. As the second ever paid officer dedicated to promoting Cornish following its official recognition by the UK government in 2002, Elizabeth has played a crucial role in standardizing the language and fostering its use across various cultural platforms. Now a freelance translator and consultant, she collaborates with musicians, theater companies, and filmmakers to bring Cornish to life in contemporary art.Elizabeth shares her unique journey of learning Cornish, the pride she feels in her heritage, and the vibrant community that surrounds the language. We dive into the features that make Cornish distinct, its rich history, and the fascinating connections between Cornish and other Celtic languages. Through her experiences, Elizabeth highlights the importance of language in identity and the ongoing efforts to revitalize Cornish in everyday life.In this episode, we discuss:- The significance of Elizabeth's role in the Cornish language revival and her experiences as a translator.- The unique features of the Cornish language, including its relationship with other Celtic languages.- Traditional Cornish culture, including folklore, music, and local celebrations.- The challenges and triumphs of using Cornish in modern art and media.- The future of the Cornish language and its place in the community.Big thank you to Elizabeth for sharing her insights and passion for the Cornish language with us. If you enjoyed this episode of Speaking Tongues, please subscribe, rate, and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers can discover the show! You can now support the show on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon, and check out my food 'zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1., available for purchase now! Links to all platforms are below!To Connect with Elizabeth:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth.anne.ellis/Connect with Speaking Tongues:Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespodFollow on X: @stpodcasthostLike our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespodSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxgDid you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtonguesPledge ongoing monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcastShop my Bookshop dot org storefront  https://bookshop.org/shop/speakingtonguespodSubscribe to my Substack: https://speakingtonguespod.substack.com/Buy my Food Zine, Taste Buds Vol. 1 here: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4#speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtongues #languagepodcast #Cornish #LanguageRevival