Hello Language Lovers! In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we are thrilled to welcome Paul, a Syrian-American author and musician based in Philadelphia. In this episode, we’re talking about his fascinating journey navigating his cultural identity through language, music, and food. Paul shares his experiences growing up in Texas’s linguistic landscape, the challenges of maintaining his Arabic, and the incredible diversity of Syrian culture.
From his childhood memories of summer trips to Syria to the complexities of dialects and the beauty of Arabic, Paul talks with us about his ongoing relationship with his heritage language. We also explore the vibrant culinary scene of Syria, where food serves as a bridge between cultures and generations.
In this episode, we discuss:
🇸🇾 The impact of growing up in a Syrian-American household and the significance of language in shaping identity.
🇸🇦🇧🇭 Paul’s experiences living in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and how those shaped his understanding of Arabic dialects.
🇸🇾A delightful exploration of Syrian cuisine, from shawarma to kibbeh, and the cultural importance of food.
🇸🇾 Insights into the nuances of Arabic language and culture, including common phrases and idioms that reflect Syrian identity.
Big thank you to Paul for sharing your global experiences and your language with us. If you enjoyed this episode of Speaking Tongues, please subscribe, rate, and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers can find the show! You can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And don’t forget to check out my food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1., available for purchase now! Links to all platforms are below!
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