Uncovering the Linguistic World of Iranian Armenian
Language Therapy with Dr. K
Why are certain dialects stigmatized? Which factors are pivotal in transforming societal attitudes and validating the legitimacy of a dialect? How can rigorous academic studies and scholarly attention alter perceptions of a language variety? What processes and methodologies are involved in constructing a grammar? Join Dr. K and Hossep Dolatian, linguist and author of the first published grammar of Persian Armenian, as they unpack the linguistic variations of this important dialect of the Armenian language. Learn about the importance of linguistic documentation and its role in elevating the...
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Dialects of Dispossession
Language Therapy with Dr. K
How can a dialect be given new life after the loss of its homeland? Do dialects always need to compete with standard languages? What does it feel like to be a refugee in a shared homeland that is not one’s home? Join Dr. K and Lika Zakaryan, journalist and author of 44 Days: Diary from an Invisible War, a book later adapted into a movie, that documented Lika’s experience as an Artsakh native during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. She is currently the host of the Muklimandil Podcast, recorded in Yerevan, Armenia and conducted entirely in Artsakh dialects. Join Dr. K and Lika as they discuss...
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Lavash and Language
Language Therapy with Dr. K
What is the connection between food and language? Can they be separated or do they always live in each other’s orbits? And how do Armenians benefit from the culinary and linguistic diversity present in the culture? Dr. K is joined by Ara Zada, chef and co-author of the cookbook Lavash, who shares his journey through the gastronomical landscapes of Armenia. Dr. K and Ara take us on his journey to discover dishes made and consumed by people in Armenia and the linguistic encounters that punctuate the adventure. Their conversation traverses borders, cultures, and languages, showcasing the...
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Linguistic Legacies: Language, Identity, and Social History
Language Therapy with Dr. K
How do scholars decipher the ways people have used and thought about language in the past? How have those attitudes and practices been distorted and rewritten in modern national narratives? How do language ideologies from several centuries ago shape modern day practices? Join Dr. K and historical sociolinguist Dr. Jennifer Manoukian as they examine the language practices, attitudes, and ideologies of Ottoman Armenians and their descendants in the post-genocide Armenian diaspora. In tracing the evolution of the Armenian language through a social history, learn about some of the most prevalent...
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Learning in Two Languages: Dual Language Immersion in Practice
Language Therapy with Dr. K
What does a typical day look like for students immersed in two languages? How does language immersion actually work? How are misconceptions about language learning challenged through immersion educational models? Join Dr. K and Dr. Nancy Hong, Director of Dual Language Immersion and Magnet Programs at Glendale Unified School District, as they delve into the unique educational model of dual immersion, highlighting its objectives of fostering functional bilingualism and biliteracy. They explore the cognitive, academic, and social advantages of learning through two languages and dispel prevalent...
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Medz Yeghern: The Politics of Naming the Armenian Genocide
Language Therapy with Dr. K
How does our choice of language shape our understanding of history? What power do words hold in defining our past and current events? Join Dr. K and Dr. Vartan Matiossian, author of The Politics of Naming the Armenian Genocide, as they delve into the geneology, etymology, and chronology of Medz Yeghern - the Armenian term for the mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Armenian ethno-religious group in the Ottoman Empire between the years 1915-1923. They discuss how the politics of naming the Armenian genocide have been navigated in academic, political, and social spheres, particularly as...
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Polyglot Passports: Navigating Little Armenias
Language Therapy with Dr. K
What experiences and motivations inspire someone to learn multiple languages? How do polyglots use language to connect with various cultures? How can the Armenian language serve as a gateway to explore vibrant Armenian communities across the globe? Join Dr. K and Rouben Koulaksezian, author of “Little Armenias: The Travel Guide of the Armenian Diaspora,” as they embark on a linguistic journey. Together, they delve into the intricacies of language acquisition, drawing from the experiences of a seasoned polyglot who is already on his tenth language. They discuss how travel and language...
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It takes a village to raise a language: The Case of Western Armenian
Language Therapy with Dr. K
How did a historian and political scientist become the force behind the largest institutional revitalization of Western Armenian in our time? What does it mean for a language to be endangered? How can a grant making institution foster the environments and resources to promote a diasporic language? Join Dr. K and Dr. Razmik Panossian, director of the Department of Armenian Communities for the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, as they explore the role of institutional vision and support as a means of cultivating contemporary cultural production and creating meaningful opportunities for Western...
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Planet Word: The Vision(ary) Behind a Language Museum
Language Therapy with Dr. K
What does a museum dedicated to words and language look like? What does it feel like in terms of experience? How can a museum bring “language to life” and convey its power, joy, and beauty? Join Dr. K and Ann Friedman, founder and CEO of Planet Word, a first-of-its-kind interactive museum in Washington DC devoted to exploring and celebrating language in all its facets. Together, they delve into Ann's background in education, the inception of Planet Word, its dynamic evolution, and her aspirations for those who visit.
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Translation: The Anatomy of Language
Language Therapy with Dr. K
What is the nature of translation? Does it hinge on precision or is it inherently a creative process? Is it possible to live in a perpetual state of translation, both personally and professionally? And are some things simply untranslatable? Join Dr. K and Karén Karslyan - award winning poet, artist, and translator, as they discuss the cultural, social, philosophical, and linguistic underpinnings behind all kinds of translations. In response to Karen’s self-characterization as a medical examiner of language, they explore the multifaceted language dynamics and policies in Karen’s personal...
info_outlineIn this episode, Dr. K sits with renowned Armenian calligrapher Ruben Malayan, three weeks into the 2020 Artsakh War, to discuss the breadth and impact of his work, as it relates to Armenian culture and society. They also unpack the crucial role of arts and humanities in moments of rupture.
For more on Malayan's work, visit armeniancalligraphy.com and 15levels.com.
For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.