I have a short radio essay, “The Music of Language,” about the cacophony and the calm of working across a handful of languages, on National Public Radio’s World Vision Report this weekend. Check your local listings for times, or listen to it online starting at midnight, pacific time.
Thanks to my favorite Dutchman, who shall go unnamed, who suggested I try to give these ideas a little broader circulation… And hats off to Rachel Strohm, whose awesome photo the WVR people found and realized would make a perfect illustration.
And if you just can’t get enough, there’s another audio essay from the Central African Republic here, and a report last year from Liberia.
Also, I’m told it’s pledge week, so do your bit for the fourth estate and make a donation to NPR. Support a journalist, and if that sounds somehow awful to you, forget journalism and support storytellers, like the folks at The Moth or This American Life. Or just add to your totebag collection. Whatever blows your hair back.
so proud of you! can’t wait to listen. the concept brings me back to you in darjeeling with your recorder, intent on capturing all the nuances of noise around us:-)
I loved this, and loved putting a voice with a name. Just one dispute: a secret splendor in Dutch? No way. 🙂
Hey, thanks for listening! Really appreciate it. Yeah, on second thought… the Dutch thing might’ve been a bit over the top 😉
Finally listened to this, and really enjoyed it! I liked your friend’s point about what you gain and lose when you learn a language.
Thanks, Rachel!