Hello Language Lovers! In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we are excited to welcome Katerina Manoff, founder and CEO of ENGin, a global nonprofit dedicated to connecting Ukrainian English learners with volunteers for meaningful conversation and cultural exchange. Katerina shares her inspiring journey from her early life in Kyiv, where she grew up speaking both Russian and Ukrainian, to her current role helping over 50,000 Ukrainians engage in language learning.
We dive deep into Katerina's experiences navigating her dual linguistic heritage and the complexities of identity, especially in light of the ongoing invasion in Ukraine. She reflects on her father's commitment to preserving Ukrainian culture and language, and how that has shaped her own understanding of what it means to be Ukrainian today.
In this episode, we discuss:
🇺🇦 The significance of language in shaping identity and cultural heritage.
🇺🇦 Katerina's reflections on the impact of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the subsequent war on her perception of language and belonging.
🇺🇦 The mission of ENGin and how it empowers Ukrainians to learn English while fostering cultural exchange.
🇺🇦 The challenges and joys of raising multilingual children in a diaspora community.
🇺🇦 Katerina's favorite Ukrainian dishes and the cultural significance of food in her life.
A huge thank you to Katerina for sharing your story, your work and your languages 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!
To Connect with Katerina:
Website: https://www.enginprogram.org/
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