109. Speaking Armenian

Hello 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 Armenian with Liana, a writer and journalist and creator of Dining in Diaspora, A book and multimedia project documenting the Armenian experience in America through food.

In this conversation, Liana talks about immigrating to the U.S. from Iran as a child and settling into the vast Armenian community in Southern California. We talk about the Armenian language changes through the diaspora and the other languages that have influence on diaspora speakers all over the world. We talk about differences between the Eastern & Western Armenian dialects and efforts being made to revitalize Western Armenian. Liana talks about diversity within Armenian culture and the melodic cadence of the Iranian-Armenian dialect. She tells us about ways that the Armenian community has been able to remain connected to the culture and because she writes about food, we discuss some of her favorite dishes and Armenian contributions to American cuisine.

Big thank you to Liana for this conversation and sharing your language, heritage and history of your community 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. 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 in the show notes! 

To Find Liana:

Dining in Diaspora: https://www.diningindiaspora.com/

Website: http://www.lianaaghajanian.com/

Instagram @diningindiaspora

Speaking Tongues listeners receive a special 10% off all languages with our friends at NaTakallam!  NaTakallam pairs displaced people with learners worldwide for online language learning & cultural exchange. With NaTakallam, you can support these individuals & their host communities by working with them as online tutors, teachers, translators, & cultural exchange partners – regardless of their location & status. Use the code SPEAKING10 at www.natakallam.com to redeem your discount. NaTakallam -- Learn a Language, Make a Friend, Change a Life.

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