How can an ancient language be used as a vital tool of contemporary research? Can it serve as a form of time travel? What is the value of studying Classical Armenian - the oldest attested form of the Armenian language? Join Professor Peter Cowe, Narekatsi Professor of Armenian Studies at UCLA, and Dr. K as they reflect on learning, teaching, and living in multiple classical and modern languages. Listen as they locate Armenian in the larger Indo-European language family, dispel prevalent misconceptions, and reinforce language as a crucial lens for understanding the past and the present.

Why are certain dialects stigmatized? Which factors are pivotal in transforming societal attitudes and validating the legitimacy of a dialect? How can rigorous academic studies and scholarly attention alter perceptions of a language variety? What processes and methodologies are involved in constructing a grammar? Join Dr. K and Hossep Dolatian, linguist and author of the first published grammar of Persian Armenian, as they unpack the linguistic variations of this important dialect of the Armenian language. Learn about the importance of linguistic documentation and its role in elevating the status of a language within the global community.

How can a dialect be given new life after the loss of its homeland? Do dialects always need to compete with standard languages? What does it feel like to be a refugee in a shared homeland that is not one’s home? Join Dr. K and Lika Zakaryan, journalist and author of 44 Days: Diary from an Invisible War, a book later adapted into a movie, that documented Lika’s experience as an Artsakh native during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. She is currently the host of the Muklimandil Podcast, recorded in Yerevan, Armenia and conducted entirely in Artsakh dialects. Join Dr. K and Lika as they discuss the pressures of language conformity, the impact of transmitting language through stories, and the multifaceted challenges and efforts to sustain the vitality of dialects in exile.

What is the connection between food and language? Can they be separated or do they always live in each other’s orbits? And how do Armenians benefit from the culinary and linguistic diversity present in the culture? Dr. K is joined by Ara Zada, chef and co-author of the cookbook Lavash, who shares his journey through the gastronomical landscapes of Armenia. Dr. K and Ara take us on his journey to discover dishes made and consumed by people in Armenia and the linguistic encounters that punctuate the adventure. Their conversation traverses borders, cultures, and languages, showcasing the transformative power of sharing meals and experiences.

How do scholars decipher the ways people have used and thought about language in the past? How have those attitudes and practices been distorted and rewritten in modern national narratives? How do language ideologies from several centuries ago shape modern day practices? Join Dr. K and historical sociolinguist Dr. Jennifer Manoukian as they examine the language practices, attitudes, and ideologies of Ottoman Armenians and their descendants in the post-genocide Armenian diaspora. In tracing the evolution of the Armenian language through a social history, learn about some of the most prevalent myths that undergird present day attitudes and practices.

What does a typical day look like for students immersed in two languages? How does language immersion actually work? How are misconceptions about language learning challenged through immersion educational models? Join Dr. K and Dr. Nancy Hong, Director of Dual Language Immersion and Magnet Programs at Glendale Unified School District, as they delve into the unique educational model of dual immersion, highlighting its objectives of fostering functional bilingualism and biliteracy. They explore the cognitive, academic, and social advantages of learning through two languages and dispel prevalent myths associated with language immersion.

How does our choice of language shape our understanding of history? What power do words hold in defining our past and current events? Join Dr. K and Dr. Vartan Matiossian, author of The Politics of Naming the Armenian Genocide, as they delve into the geneology, etymology, and chronology of Medz Yeghern - the Armenian term for the mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Armenian ethno-religious group in the Ottoman Empire between the years 1915-1923. They discuss how the politics of naming the Armenian genocide have been navigated in academic, political, and social spheres, particularly as Armenians struggled for international recognition in the face of Turkish denial. They unpack the use, misuse, and abuse of Medz Yeghern as a reflection on the weight of language choice in shaping historical narratives and collective memory.

What experiences and motivations inspire someone to learn multiple languages? How do polyglots use language to connect with various cultures? How can the Armenian language serve as a gateway to explore vibrant Armenian communities across the globe? Join Dr. K and Rouben Koulaksezian, author of “Little Armenias: The Travel Guide of the Armenian Diaspora,” as they embark on a linguistic journey. Together, they delve into the intricacies of language acquisition, drawing from the experiences of a seasoned polyglot who is already on his tenth language. They discuss how travel and language intersect, intertwining heritage, identity, and the shared narratives of dispersed communities. They explore the nuances of learning both Eastern and Western Armenian, along with multiple other languages, and uncover the transformative power of language when approached through a diasporic lens.