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PODCAST

Language Therapy with Dr. K

USC Institute of Armenian Studies

Language Therapy with Dr. K explores language in the Armenian context. Discover the quirky nuances, fun, and frustrations of language, as Dr. Shushan Karapetian delves into conversations about immigration, diaspora, shame, bilingualism, culture, heritage, and so much more. A USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies podcast.

education language learning

All Episodes

01:08:42

Language and Freedom: Outside the Binary

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/05/01

What does it mean to write with spelling freedoms? How do language purity and language anxiety hinder literary innovation? And how do unconventional ways of thinking and being encourage creativity within the Armenian language? Join Dr. K and Hrayr Varaz Khanjian, MIT trained linguist and author of #Ճիվճիվ, a bilingual collection of twitter poems, as they discuss the influences of his queerness on both the inventive format of his work and his views on language’s malleability. They explore and

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58:46

The Toll of the Pandemic on Armenian Mother Guilt

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

What is Armenian mother guilt in the diaspora? How can a pandemic impact language dynamics in the home? Why is it that our professional expertise, competence, and training often disappear when it comes to things Armenian, our families, and our own children? Join Dr. K and Dr. Lori Mesrobian, USC professor of Spanish, as they discuss the extra complications of transmitting Armenian during the pandemic, the intense grief, disappointment, and shame associated with fears of loss, and the need for local

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54:42

From Bazar to Belote: Language as Means to Play

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

Are you up for a game of Belote? How did a French trick-taking card game gain such ubiquitous popularity both in Armenia and the diaspora? What is the special Armenian twist (hint: the bazar element) with its own language dynamics and social hierarchy? Though full of French, Turkish, and Russian words, why is it perceived as such an Armenian domain by players? Join Dr. K with research assistant and USC student Sarkis Tricha as they explore the roots and origins of Belote, the various game-specific

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01:06:31

Armenian(s) in Russia: A Case of Linguistic Plastic...

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

How do immigrants navigate integrating into host societies while still maintaining an orientation toward the homeland? What is the role of language in that process? What if they live in a society with a colonial/imperial legacy? Dr. K is joined by UCLA PhD candidate Anatolii Tokmantcev as they discuss the formation of Armenian communities in Russia, how Armenians are conceptualized in the Russian imagination, the factors that contribute to the quick loss of the Armenian language, and so much more

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57:33

Failures of Language & Curious Hybrids

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

How do colonial and diasporic histories impact language dynamics? How do these forces manifest themselves in the case of curious hybrids or third-culture kids, the characterization author Nadia Owusu uses to encapsulate her Ghanian and Armenian-American heritage, through the lens of a child growing up in various international communities? Join Dr. K and Nadia Owusu as they discuss Aftershocks, Owusu’s powerful memoir, and use it as a springboard for topics such as colonialism, inherited languages,

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59:41

¡Ask a Mexican!

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

What happens when an alternative weekly in Orange County starts a column called ¡Ask a Mexican!, in which journalist Gustavo Arellano responds to reader questions about Mexican-American stereotypes in a satirical, wonderfully witty and informative manner? And he uses Spanish and Spanglish in almost every response? And it becomes so successful that it turns into a book? Join Dr. K and trailblazing LA Times columnist and author Gustavo Arellano as they use his work to talk about journalistic tropes

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50:23

Systems of Language

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

How can the cultural influences and language dynamics of an immigrant household make its way to heavy metal and some of the most transformational music of its time? Going from an Armenian private school to sold out arenas around the world, Shavo Odadjian of System of a Down talks to Dr. K about how growing up speaking both standards of Armenian sparked a mindset of adaptability and perseverance throughout his life and career. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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45:59

Language(s) in Therapy

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

How can a psychologist use language as a tool for healing, and as a method of traveling to times and locations often buried and distant in the past? If both therapist and patient are bilingual, how are language dynamics negotiated and experienced during therapy? In this episode, Dr. K sits down with clinical psychologist Mariam Vanounts to discuss the role of language(s) and non-verbal communication in various forms of therapy. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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26:39

CHEERIOS

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

While Cheerios are commonly known as a popular breakfast food, the term has taken on a life of its own in the Armenian American context, referring to a specific way a person speaks or behaves. In this episode, Dr. K talks to a number of young Armenian Americans and immigrants from Armenia to uncover this phenomenon and determine who exactly is a Cheerios and how that label is used. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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44:33

The Language of Priesthood in the Armenian Apostolic...

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

What does it take to become a priest in the Armenian Apostolic Church and what role does language play in the process? In this episode, Dr. K is joined by the Parish Priest of St. John Armenian Apostolic Church, Father Mesrop Ash, to explore the different roles within the Armenian Church and understand the various procedures and processes behind ordination. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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29:37

Sounds of Multilingualism: The Case of Western Armenian

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

What kind of influence can a dominant language have on a minority language? In this episode, Dr. K sits with linguist Dr. Niamh Kelly from the American University of Beirut to discuss why knowledge of one language, such as Arabic or English, can influence the sound system of Western Armenian. They also deconstruct different language myths regarding phonetics, accents, and “perfect” speech. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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47:16

Vernaculars of Armenian Dance

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

Whether dancing at Armenian celebrations or watching Armenian dance companies perform on stage, it’s evident that the practice of Armenian dance is rich and diverse. In this episode, Dr. K sits with PhD student and dance practitioner Natalie Kamajian to define different types of Armenian dance and discuss what the discourse behind them says about how Armenian identity is performed. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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48:13

Western Armenian in Armenia

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

If the official language of the Republic of Armenia is Armenian, but the commonly spoken standard is Eastern Armenian, where does that leave Western Armenian speakers? In this episode, Dr. K is joined by Vahakn Keshishian, co-founder of Aghvor Paner, a Western Armenian language website, to discuss the changing perceptions of Western Armenian and how promoting the use of the language is a fruitful way to build communities. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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33:26

Calligraphy and Art in Time of Crisis

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/17

In this episode, Dr. K sits with renowned Armenian calligrapher Ruben Malayan, three weeks into the 2020 Artsakh War, to discuss the breadth and impact of his work, as it relates to Armenian culture and society. They also unpack the crucial role of arts and humanities in moments of rupture. For more on Malayan's work, visit armeniancalligraphy.com and 15levels.com. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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35:37

Comedy in a Time of War

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/13

Vulgar vocabulary and cursing in a time of war? Hand-in-hand with an increased interest in learning and teaching Armenian? In this episode, Dr. K is joined by comedian Mary Basmadjian as they discuss her ability to break all kinds of gender and cultural norms, while simultaneously teaching the Armenian language through comedic skits such as "Vartoush Vocabulary." For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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42:10

A Day in the Life of an Interpreter

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/13

In this episode of Language Therapy, Dr. K is joined by Khachatur Adumyan, one of Armenia’s most sought-after interpreters, who has interpreted for every Armenian prime minister since independence. They talk about the linguistic, cognitive, and ethical demands of the job, the nuances of interpreting from and into Armenian, and the day-to-day realities of an interpreter, all in the context of the Artsakh war and the pandemic. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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41:34

Karabakh: What's in a name?

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/13

Karabakh or Artsakh? Where do all the different names for this region come from? In this episode of Language Therapy, Dr. K talks to historian George Bournoutian, an expert on the history of Armenia and the Caucasus, to discuss the historical, political, and linguistic legacies of this region's various place names. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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47:32

1.5 Generation: All Kinds of Guilt

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2023/04/13

Who is a 1.5 generation immigrant? What is the connection between generation and language? What are the challenges of transmitting Armenian as a 1.5 generation parent? And what's with all the guilt and shame? Dr. K is joined by attorney and co-founder of ToTalk Armenian, Armine Bazikyan, as they discuss Armine's family's struggles with language transmission and ToTalk as a possible solution. For more, visit armenian.usc.edu.

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46:31

Robin the Robot

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2021/12/13

What is the connection between artificial intelligence, psychology, and language? Who/what is the world's first emotionally intelligent hospital robot and what's the connection to Armenia? Dr. K talks to Karen Khachikyan, CEO and co-founder of Expper Technologies, the company behind Robin the Robot, as they discuss Robin's emotional and linguistic capacities in helping children overcome their stress, isolation, and anxiety in a hospital setting. Dr. Shant Shekherdimian and Dr. Mineh Badmagharian

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49:48

Speak English: You’re confusing the child!

Language Therapy with Dr. K ·

2021/12/13

What kinds of language policies do multilingual families enact when the language or languages in the home are not the same as the dominant language outside the home? What if each parent speaks a different language? What types of reactions and attitudes do families have to deal with when they set specific family strategies for language transmission? Dr. K is joined by Los Angeles Times journalist, Esmeralda Bermudez, in a deep conversation about language, identity, immigration, heritage, and the

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