16. Speaking Yoruba with Ase Ire

Hello Language Lovers!

Thank you for joining me for another episode of Speaking Tongues, the podcast in conversation with multi linguals! I’m your host, Elle Charisse.

Today, I have the honor and privilege of introducing you to Dr. Funlayo E. Wood-Menzies.

Dr. Wood-Menzies is a leader in her community, a scholar-priestess of Ifá-Òrìsà and a teacher of the Yoruba language and that is just a short list of her work! Iya Funlayo, as she is also known, earned her PhD in African and African American Studies and Religion at Harvard University and her research centers philosophical and theological aspects of Ifá-Òrìsà tradition as practiced in Nigeria and in the Americas, and cross-cultural analysis of Yoruba religious concepts and practice – within all of which she privileges Yoruba language as a conduit to understanding. Her work has been published in various scholarly and public venues and she has appeared in documentaries for PBS and the National Geographic Channel.

For the first time since starting this podcast, I’m having a conversation about an African language and I am over the moon excited for you all to hear this conversation. I want everyone listening to understand how important it is that we, as language learners and lovers, continue to put a spotlight on languages spoken on the continent. One of my aims of this show is for it to be a CELEBRATION of language. And it’s important to me to do my part in showcasing languages that have been historically devalued as many native tongues in Africa have been for centuries..

In this episode you’ll hear why this devaluation of languages spoken in Africa continues to persist and what scholars and governments across the continent are doing to change that. You’ll learn about the language that is considered by some to be an endangered language despite having over 20 million speakers AND, you’ll learn about a very important connection between the languages spoken in West Africa and the language spoken in African American communities here in the US. You will all get to the end of this episode and come away having learned something. I promise. All of that AND You’ll even be learning some Yoruba along the way.

Thank you to Dr. Funlayo E. Wood-Menzies for your time and sharing your life's work, expertise and wisdom with us for this episode. Listeners, if you’re interested in learning more about the topics we discuss or Dr. Funlayo’s work please visit aseire.com or follow Iya Funlayo on Instagram, Facebook or Youtube by clicking on the links in the show notes. Ok, Let’s Chat!

To find Dr. Wood-Menzies:

Website: www.Aseire.com

Instagram: @iyafunlayo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AseIre/

The Story of Swahili: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Swahili-Africa-World-History/dp/0896802930

Orisha Image: https://www.orishaimage.com/#gallery-home 

Nollywood on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/1077508

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