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PODCAST

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and Culture

Farshid Delshad

I am a linguist and scholar of Middle Eastern studies by profession, and in this podcast I offer a wide range of topics with a particular focus and historical linguistics, culture, religion and languages of the Middle East and the world of Islam. However, you might find here also philological subjects on Indo-European linguistics and Caucasian studies.

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

00:35:03

On Yuval Harari’s Sapiens, Summary & Critique ‎

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2025/02/03

On Yuval Harari’s Sapiens, Summary & Critique ‎In this session, we’ll be diving into the world of Yuval Noah Harari and his three ‎major works: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Still, Sapiens offers a compelling, if flawed, journey through humanity’s past, ‎present, and potential future. Harari’s ability to distill complex ideas into digestible ‎narratives ensures that even readers who take issue with his conclusions will find ‎plenty to ponder.‎

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00:39:17

Good Morning, Gandalf: A Linguistic Journey

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2025/01/27

Good Morning, Gandalf: A Linguistic JourneyIn this episode, we ventured into a deceptively simple exchange between ‎Gandalf and Bilbo to unravel the profound linguistic, philosophical, and ‎interpretive questions it raises. We explored how Jacques Derrida’s ‎deconstruction unveils the inherent instability and multiplicity of ‎meaning in Bilbo’s good morning, while Michel Foucault’s analysis of ‎discourse and power dynamics reveals the subtle authority at play in ‎Gandalf’s response. Together, these

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00:40:19

On The Etymology of the Name Moses

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2025/01/20

On The Etymology of the Name MosesIn this episode, I delve into the fascinating intersections of linguistics, history, and culture, exploring the ‎name "Moses" Cf. Hebrew, ‎משה‎ Greek: Μωυσής, Arabic‏ موسى ‏‎ through its linguistic and symbolic ‎dimensions. We examine the representation of Moses in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs *Mo-uses, ‎unravelling connections to religious discourse, monotheism, and Freud’s intriguing insights on the origins ‎of guilt and intolerance. ‎ This discussion highlights

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01:01:31

Antisemitism Revisited ‎

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2025/01/15

Antisemitism Revisited ‎Summary: In this episode, we dive deep into the ongoing and evolving nature of antisemitism, drawing from historical figures and movements that have shaped modern attitudes. We explore the role of Haj Amin al-Husseini, his collaboration with Nazi forces, and how this legacy continues to influence contemporary Palestinian nationalism. The episode also examines how movements like Hamas and the Iranian regime, with their roots in radical ideologies, continue to perpetuate

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00:40:09

The Invention of Palestine: A Historical and...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2025/01/08

The Invention of Palestine: A Historical and Linguistic NarrativeIn this episode, we explore the historical and linguistic roots of the term "Palestine," ‎tracing its origins to the Roman designation "Syria Palaestina," given to the land of Israel by ‎Emperor Hadrian following the Bar Kokhba revolt. The name "Palaestina" was derived from ‎the ancient Philistines, with the term "Philistia" in Greek (Φυλιστίη) reflecting their ‎presence along the coastal regions of ancient Israel. We also examine the

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00:49:45

Problems of Linguistics, Part III: Generative Grammar...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2025/01/01

Problems of Linguistics, Part III: Generative Grammar & Prague School ‎Summary: In the past two episodes, we examined the evolution of linguistic theories, ‎covering everything from structuralism to Bloomfieldian and post-‎Bloomfieldian linguistics. We also touched on the transformative impact of ‎what’s often called the “š.” Today, we shift our focus to another ‎monumental influence in the field: the Prague School of Linguistics.‎ Keywords ‎#PragueSchool; #MorrisHalle; #RobertLees;

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00:58:14

Problems of Linguistics, Part II: Chomskyan Revolution

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/12/25

Problems of Linguistics, Part II: Chomskyan RevolutionIn this episode, we explored the profound impact of the Chomskyan revolution on ‎linguistics, alongside the contributions of post-structuralist linguists who ‎challenged traditional views. We delved into syntax, grammar, and how vivid ‎language shapes our understanding of the world, all while making complex ideas ‎accessible and engaging. Stay tuned for more in-depth discussions in future ‎episodes, where we'll continue to unpack other schools

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00:42:32

Problems of Linguistics, Part I: Structural Linguistics

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/12/18

Problems of Linguistics, Part I: Structural Linguistics Summary In this episode, I explore the rise and fall of post-Bloomfieldian structuralism, a dominant school ‎of thought in American linguistics. This methodology emphasized discovering linguistic grammar ‎through a set of mechanical procedures, starting with phonemics and moving systematically ‎through morphemics, syntax, and discourse. The rigid empiricism of the approach, which ‎excluded meaning and speaker intuition, ensured a catalog of

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00:51:10

Through the Shadows: Understanding Trauma and PTSD...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/12/10

Through the Shadows: Understanding Trauma and PTSD with Dr. Ronit FarzamIn this episode, I sit down with Dr Ronit Farzam, a clinical psychologist and trauma expert with a rich background rooted in both personal and professional resilience. We explore the complex nature of trauma and PTSD, discussing their symptoms, impact on the brain, and the challenges of misdiagnosis. Dr Farzam shares insights into various treatment modalities, from EMDR to humanistic approaches, and emphasises the importance

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00:47:07

Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians & Other Minorities in...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/12/02

Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians & Other Minorities in Iran, Part IV: An Overviewn this episode, I explore the multifaceted history of Persian Jews in 20th-century Iran, focusing on the challenges of national and religious identity under the Pahlavi regime and the Islamic Republic. From the pressures of "Iranization" and modernization to the post-revolutionary shift towards religious identity, I examine how these changes influenced the Jewish community's cultural, social, and political

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00:29:41

Religious Minorities in Modern Iran (Part III) ‎

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/11/23

Part III: Religious Minorities in Modern Iran ‎In this episode, I delved into the intricate dynamics of religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. ‎We explored how the 1979 Islamic Revolution brought ideological shifts that reshaped policies and ‎attitudes toward non-Muslim communities. From the strategic public relations campaigns projecting ‎tolerance to the underlying systemic discrimination entrenched in laws, the discussion unravelled the ‎complexities of the state’s dual

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00:35:15

Iran’s Religious Minorities, Part II: Status of...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/11/18

Iran’s Religious Minorities, Part II: Status of Religious Minorities in Iranian IslamIn this episode, we delve into the relationship between Iranian Islam and religious minorities throughout ‎history, focusing on their evolving status and rights. During the early Islamic centuries, religious ‎minorities such as Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians—collectively known as ahl al-kitāb (People of the ‎Book)—were granted protected status (dhimma) in exchange for paying the jizya tax and accepting ‎Muslim

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00:31:25

Iran’s Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Part I:...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/11/15

Iran’s Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Part I: Introduction This episode delves into the rich tapestry of Iran's religious, linguistic, and ethnic diversity, tracing its ‎roots from the ancient Persian empires to the transformative events of the Islamic Revolution of 1979. ‎Iran’s historical role as a crossroads of civilizations has shaped a multi-ethnic society, with Persian as the ‎national language alongside numerous minority languages and dialects. Religiously, while Shiism ‎dominates, smaller

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01:26:26

Election Insights: U.S. Politics, Israel, and Migration

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/11/04

Election Insights: U.S. Politics, Israel, and Migration In this episode, we delve into the upcoming U.S. elections with a focus on some of today’s most pressing ‎topics: U.S. policy on Israel, the impact of the Lebanon-Gaza conflict, Iran's regional role, the perspectives ‎of American Jewish communities, the stance of the Democratic Party, and migration issues. This ‎conversation provides a thought-provoking look at the intersections of international relations and U.S. ‎domestic policy, sparking

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00:05:06

Why Do People Fight? لماذا يقاتل الناس؟

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/10/26

Why Do People Fight? لماذا يقاتل الناس؟Yuval Noah Harari once said something I find profound: Why are there so many wars in the world? Many people will tell you it's because humans fight for the same reasons animals do. They’ll say it’s natural—we fight for land, for resources, just like chimpanzees, wolves, or lions. For a long time, I believed this too. But after years of studying history, I realized it’s not true at all ... The shorten out is in Arabic

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01:01:10

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part VII: Identity &...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/10/25

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part VII: Identity & Emotion Summary Emotions play a crucial role in shaping human behavior, influencing our thoughts, ‎decisions, and actions, often more than logic alone. Rather than being separate, emotions ‎and rationality are interconnected, with emotional reasoning like love and fear guiding ‎our choices in a deeply human way.‎ Despite the common misconception that emotions are irrational, they have logical ‎implications, such as trusting those we love

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00:45:33

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part VI: Identity &...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/10/14

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part VI: Identity & Gender 1Summary Podcast Episode Outline: Understanding Identity and Masculinity Introduction Explore the concept of identity as a cultural construct shaped by historical and social contexts. Cultural Context of Identity Discuss how identities are not fixed but influenced by power dynamics and personal narratives, particularly in relation to ethnicity and sexual identity. Gender and Judith Butler’s Theories Highlight Judith Butler’s idea

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01:15:28

Judeo-Presian & Early New Persian | فارسیهود در آیینه...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/10/11

Judeo-Presian & Early New Persian | فارسیهود در آیینه ی تاریخ‎ آیا می‌دانید نخستین نامه‌ی برجای‌مانده به زبان پارسی نو را يک یهودی نوشته است؟ به بيان دیگر، هر هر پژوهشگر ایران‌شناس اگر بخواهد کاوشی در زبان پارسی نو بکند، نباید این نامه را نادیده بگیرد. منظور از پارسی نو، زبانی است که از پارسی میانه و پارسی باستان جداست. بدون اینکه بتوان به‌روشنی زمانی دقیق برای این دگرگونی‌ها برگزید، باید به‌گونه‌ای کلی گفت که فارسي باستان به دوره‌ی هخامنشیان و پارسی میانه به دوره‌ی پس از یورش تازیان بازمی‌گردد

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00:47:39

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part V: Identity &...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/10/10

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part V: Identity & Sociolinguistics Summary In this episode, I explore the deep connection between language and identity, ‎examining how our linguistic habits shape how others perceive us. We delve into the ‎idea of heritage languages, native speaker myths, and how education influences our ‎linguistic development and identity. Drawing on historical and cultural perspectives, we ‎look at how language standards and policies affect individuals and communities. Our

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00:34:40

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part IV: Identity,...

Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and... ·

2024/10/08

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part IV: Identity, Language and Culture Summary In this episode, we dive into the relationship between identity, language, and culture, ‎exploring how language shapes and constructs our understanding of the world rather ‎than merely reflecting it. Drawing on thinkers like Wittgenstein, Derrida, etc, we unpack ‎the idea that identity is a discursive construct, brought into being through the ‎processes of language and thought. We challenge traditional concepts, such as

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143 results

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