Hello Language Lovers! In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we are excited to welcome Janine Lutchman-Nkouetang, a passionate foreign language educator and writer whose work intersects culture, identity, and heritage. As a co-editor and contributing author of the book series "Unearthing Traditions: Stories of Language and Culture," Janine shares her insights on the importance of storytelling in understanding diverse cultural experiences and the role of language in shaping our identities.
Janine opens up about her linguistic journey, revealing her dual first languages of English and Trinidadian Creole English (TEC), and her experiences learning and teaching Mandarin at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine campus. We explore the dynamic language landscape of Trinidad and Tobago, discussing the interchangeability of TEC and English in various social contexts, as well as the historical influences that have shaped the unique Creole spoken in Trinidad.
In this episode, we cover:
🇹🇹 The significance of Trinidadian Creole English and its role in everyday communication.
🇹🇹 The impact of colonial history on the development of Creole languages in Trinidad and its uniquely different development in Tobago.
🇹🇹 Janine's unexpected journey into teaching Mandarin and how her experiences resonate with her students.
🇹🇹 The importance of cultural storytelling and its role in preserving heritage through the book series.
🇹🇹 The vibrant celebration of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and its significance in uniting the community.
Big thank you to Janine for sharing her experiences and insights 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 to help other language lovers discover the show! You can also support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon, and check out my food 'zine, Taste Buds Vol 1., available for purchase now! Links to all platforms are below!
To Connect with Janine:
@janiknots (Instagram & TikTok) / Janine Lutchman-Nkouetang (Facebook & LinkedIn)
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