S2E4: Biocultural Diversity with Dr. Luisa Maffi

Today we speak with linguist and anthropologist Dr. Luisa Maffi about the concept of biocultural diversity.

In 1995, Dr. Luisa Maffi and David Harmon explored the idea of how cultural diversity, language diversity, and biodiversity are all interconnected. If we were to lose a culture or language then we would see the negative effects in our biodiversity as well. Ultimately, this understanding led Dr. Luisa Maffi, David Harmon and some team members to create Terralingua - an international non-profit dedicated to sustaining the diversity of life in nature and culture.

Dr. Luisa Maffi is now the director of Terralingua and continues to explore the “connections between language and the way language expresses the way of thinking and acting of a given culture. In particular, the way it expresses and codifies the ways of thinking and acting towards the environment.”

If you have any stories to help contribute to the understanding of biocultural diversity or are interested in hearing authentic stories from people across the globe then check out Dr.Luisa Maffi’s Langscape Magazine. It is an annual online publication that further explores the interconnectivity of biocultural diversity.

To learn more about Terralingua visit their website.

Terralingua’s Twitter: @TerralinguaBCD.

Terralingua’s Instagram: @terralingua.langscape.

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