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

Elle Charisse

Speaking Tongues is a podcast celebrating language, culture, and identity through in-depth conversations with multilingual guests from around the world. From endangered and Indigenous languages to Creoles and diaspora stories, each episode explores how language connects us to memory, history, community, migration, and meaning. Host Elle Charisse talks with artists, educators, and storytellers working to preserve cultural heritage through words, food, music, research, and lived experience.

  1. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    What Does It Take to Keep Colombian Culture Alive Across Generations?

    This episode was originally published on April 10, 2023 Hello Language Lovers! Thank you for joining me for this episode of Speaking Tongues- the podcast in conversation with multilinguals. This week, joining me in conversation is Janny from MiLegasi and The Latina Mom Legacy Podcast to talk about her Colombian Spanish language and culture.  In this episode, Janny talks to us about her upbringing between Florida and Medellin, Colombia. We talk about the pride that Colombians carry when speaking and representing their language all over the country. She tells us about ways that her family had been able to stay close to their Colombian roots through traditions and how in the area of Florida where she grew up, she was able to learn Spanish words and phrases of Caribbean origin. Janny talks to us about things she loves in Colombian culture including the humor and we even talk a bit about Colombian food. For the full portion of our food conversation, head over to my Patreon to hear the full 20 minute segment about all kinds of dishes you can find in Colombia.  Big thank you to Janny for having this conversation with me and for sharing bits of your language 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. For just $5 per month, you will have access to excerpts of this conversation that did not make it to the full published episode.  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 Janny Website: https://www.milegasi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milegasi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milegasi 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

  2. Oct 21 ·  Bonus

    Croatian Beyond the Textbook: Dialects, Diaspora, Food, and Identity

    This episode was originally published on Nov 22, 2021 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 Croatian with Uncle Mike, Tony D and DJ Moe, the hosts of the Let’s Learn Croatian Podcast.  I’ve been listening to the Let’s Learn Croatian podcast for a while now and I’ve always loved the energy that these guys bring to their episodes. I’m so happy that we had a chance to talk about the Croatian language and culture. In this episode, we talk about grammar of the language including its cases and the diacritics that affect the sounds of the language. We talk about dialects in Croatian and how they change both throughout the country itself and in the Croatian diaspora in other parts of the world. Uncle Mike talks to us about things that he enjoys teaching Tony D about the language and Tony D and DJ Moe tell us how they are enjoying the process of learning the language. They tell us how they started their podcast and fun fact, we even learn about some connections to Croatian music to Mexican music.  I really encourage you all to listen to this show whether you’re learning Croatian or not because their content is just so much fun and they are great at taking a deep dive through the culture, language and history of Croatia. I’ve learned so much from them and I’m sure that you will too. If you enjoy this episode of Speaking Tongues, 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 com. Links to all platforms are in the show notes! Ok! let’s chat!  Listen to Let’s Learn Croatian wherever you get your podcasts Website: https://www.letslearncroatian.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llcpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llcpod/?eid=ARB0_QBC_b5t32mjbZLY3o1z4YxWbk-EYGIf_F3x2k7GdgkDqONAr2tkwu82jyrZlepKcRSbkyemRi9u YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_T6a1XdNe00BTDfd7754tw 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 Subscribe to my Substack: https://speakingtonguespod.substack.com/  Shop my bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/speakingtonguespod Pledge on-going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtongues #languagepodcast

  3. Oct 14 ·  Bonus

    What Jamaican Patois and Haitian Creole Reveal About Caribbean Identity

    This episode was originally published on Feb 5, 2024 as Speaking Haitian Creole and Jamaican Patois ___ Hello Language Lovers! Today we are speaking with Maggie, a content creator based in Toronto about her languages of Haitian Creole and Jamaican Patois Maggie is a perfect person to have this conversation with as she is so well versed on creole languages spoken not just in the Caribbean but all over the world. In this episode we talk about: How Jamaican stands out in the Caribbean through culture and language The way language is spoken differently in different parts of Jamaica Growing up in a Haitian Creole speaking household and experiencing different languages spoken daily French based creoles around the world and what they have in common Caribbean culture and its influence in Toronto Big thank you to Maggie for sharing your language, your culture and your adventures with us all! 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. Special shout out to Speaking Tongues’ recent supporters and Patrons Heidi L., Pat N. and John L.  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!  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 Subscribe to my Substack: https://speakingtonguespod.substack.com/  Shop my bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/speakingtonguespod Pledge on-going monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtongues #languagepodcast

  4. Oct 7

    How One Chef Is Reconnecting Puerto Rican Food to Its Indigenous Roots

    This episode was originally published on August 19, 2024 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 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!To Connect with Chef Alexandra Strong:Visit Mitsitam Café at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/american-indian-museumConnect 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 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

  5. Sep 30

    Reclaiming Ktunaxa: A Journey Back to Language and Culture

    This episode was originally published on Feb 26, 2024 Hello Language Lovers! Thanks for tuning in to this new episode. This week we’re speaking with Aiyana @ktunaxapride about her language of Ktunaxa. Aiyana Twigg is Indigenous, belonging to two nations in Canada, the Ktunaxa Nation and Blackfoot. She grew up within the Ktunaxa Nation in Tobacco Plains and graduated from University with a passion to revitalize her Indigenous language Ktunaxa.  In this episode we talk about Growing up in the community and her journey to wanting to learn more about the Ktunaxa language The efforts being taken to revitalize Ktunaxa and what those responsibilities are like, including developing dictionaries and apps with audio (yes!!) The wisdom ritual and traditions being passed down and recorded by elders in the community Advice for how we can support indigenous language and community.  And we even get to learn some Ktunaxa words and phrases along the way.  Big thank you to Aiyana for sharing your heritage, your language and your community and all of your hard work you do with the Ktunaxa Nation 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 Find Aiyana IG @ktunaxapride  First Voices  https://www.firstvoices.com/ 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

  6. Sep 23 ·  Bonus

    Learning Welsh Is One Thing. Living Welsh Is Another.

    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: @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

  7. Sep 16 ·  Bonus

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

    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 com 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 ongoing 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

  8. Sep 9 ·  Bonus

    Can Icelandic Stay Icelandic? Teaching a Language Without Freezing It in Time

    This episode was originally published on June 3, 2024 Hello 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 language How filler words can help Icelandic learners in conversations The historical push to maintain the integrity of Icelandic Icelandic self care rituals and the traditions of the thermal waters And 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: @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

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Speaking Tongues is a podcast celebrating language, culture, and identity through in-depth conversations with multilingual guests from around the world. From endangered and Indigenous languages to Creoles and diaspora stories, each episode explores how language connects us to memory, history, community, migration, and meaning. Host Elle Charisse talks with artists, educators, and storytellers working to preserve cultural heritage through words, food, music, research, and lived experience.

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