America the Bilingual

It took many years, but finally Maja Thomas, a top publishing executive who has been at the forefront of audiobooks, e-books and digital publishing strategy, finally made her dream of always having Paris come true. She has become an English/French bilingual, embracing not just the French language but its culture. Just how did she do it (despite the plethora of French bureaucratic paperwork)? For one thing, she isn’t afraid to correct her mistakes in speaking her beloved adopted language. Episode 81 of the America the Bilingual podcast, “She’s Always Had Paris,” is now live.

“The whole idea of language learning is saying things wrong until you begin to say them right.” That’s Steve Leveen, founder of America the Bilingual, diving deeper into three new perspectives he encourages adult language learners to adopt. He also shares details of the new Levenger Master Class workbook, How to Learn a Language for Life, that he and multilingual entrepreneur Akshay Swaminathan, cowrote. Episode 80 of the America the Bilingual podcast, You Can Finally Learn That Next Language You’ve Been Thirsting to Speak, is now live. Thanks to members of the America the Bilingual Project team for this episode: Mim Harrison, editorial and brand director of the America the Bilingual Project, who wrote and directed the episode; Fernando Hernández Becerra and his production house in Guadalajara, Mexico, Esto No Es Radio, which provides sound design and mixing; and Jen Cavagnaro at Daruma Tech, who manages our website. Music credits, in order of appearance: Soft and furious - Super connected sleep https://bit.ly/3rN902r Kevin Macleod - Quasimotion https://bit.ly/KevinMacleod_QuasiMotion Soft and furious - What’s your name again https://bit.ly/456BynS Lloyd Rogers - Twelve from the black book https://bit.ly/44uduv4 Peter Gresser - Skipping in the no standing zone https://bit.ly/49bUZOw Fernando Air-Nandez - You live the language Loyalty Freak Music - Everything is so alive https://bit.ly/3MYSPJu

“I've never learned how to say no properly in my life, to prepare myself properly for things. I just figured if I kept saying yes to things, eventually something good would happen.” For Mark Ford, not saying no has allowed him to do some of the most important things in his life. Which is why it became easy—in his heterodox fashion—for him to learn first French, then Latin, and now Spanish. The Spanish is the result of his building an award-winning resort in Nicaragua and the community foundation he created right across the road, which has become an education and trades hub for the non-English-speaking local people. The French gave him entrée to the Peace Corps after college. But only because the officials didn’t give him the boot for not knowing a word of it when he landed in French-speaking Chad. The Latin was to meet a PhD requirement. Although let’s just say that the former altar boy in him might have frowned on his modus operandi. But he’s forgiven for that, because good things for many people have happened thanks to his determination to embrace other languages. In this lively conversation with Steve, Mark also shares his secret for learning a language. And you won’t have to crack open an app to do it. Thanks to members of the America the Bilingual Project team for this episode: Mim Harrison, the editorial and brand director of the America the Bilingual Project, who wrote and directed the episode; Fernando Hernández Becerra and his production house in Guadalajara, Mexico, Esto No Es Radio, which provides sound design and mixing; and Jen Cavagnaro at Daruma Tech, who manages our website. Music credits (in order of appearance): HoliznaCC0 - Whatever https://bit.ly/4qDgZsk Koi Discovery - Beer blues https://bit.ly/3pIQxmi Kevin Macleod - Quasi motion https://bit.ly/KevinMacleod_QuasiMotion HoliznaCC0 - ICE temple https://bit.ly/4qHGb1c HoliznaCC0 - Sunny afternoon https://bit.ly/47vvyp9 HoliznaCC0 - Unwind https://bit.ly/3X4hb6m Koi-discovery - END https://bit.ly/4qDhLFK HoliznaCC0 - Laundry on the wire https://bit.ly/3Jc8R1p Wax lyricist - Green https://bit.ly/4qA7c6s Koi-discovery -Synthetic_synapse https://bit.ly/4oOlxup

Professor/publisher/author/OED consultant Ilan Stavans has written books about all three of the languages he speaks: his native Mexican Spanish, his heritage Yiddish, and his adopted English. In Episode 78, Ilan and Steve have a far-ranging conversation that touches on how American literature is becoming multilingual literature, why prescriptive dictionaries don’t work for English, and the secret to seeing your children embrace the language of their heritage. Listen and you’ll soon know why America the Bilingual has dubbed him a Tocqueville for bilingualism in America. Enjoy! Music credits, in order of appearance: HoliznaCC0 - Tranquil Mindscape ( Lofi , Happy , Reflection ) https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/public-domain-lofi/tranquil-mindscape-lofi-happy-reflection/ U.S. Army Blues - Kelli's Number https://freemusicarchive.org/music/US_Army_Blues/Live_At_Blues_Alley/0_-_08_-_The_US_Army_Blues_-_Kellis_Number/ John Bartmann - African Moon https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Bartmann/Public_Domain_Soundtrack_Music_Album_One/african-moon/ John Bartmann - Somewhere nice https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Bartmann/Public_Domain_Soundtrack_Music_Album_One/somewhere-nice/ HoliznaCC0 - 20 Minute Meditation 1 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/space-sleep-meditation/20-minute-meditation-1/ U.S. Army Blues - Oginiland https://freemusicarchive.org/music/US_Army_Blues/Live_At_Blues_Alley/0_-_06_-_The_US_Army_Blues_-_Oginiland/ Komiku - In the restaurant https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku/THE_GIRL_WITH_THE_BASEBALL_BAT/Komiku_-_THE_GIRL_WITH_THE_BASEBALL_BAT_-_03_In_the_restaurant/ Koi-discovery - Oxforf by Night https://freemusicarchive.org/music/koi-discovery/ante-chrysalide/oxforf-by-nightmp3/

The multilingual Esteban Battalán, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass, shares how his language odyssey has sounded important notes in his music odyssey. Hear his story on Episode 77 of the America the Bilingual podcast, “A Trumpeter’s Tale.” America the Bilingual is a project of the Levenger Foundation, which supports bilingualism and biliteracy in the Americas. Thanks to members of the America the Bilingual Project team for this episode: Mim Harrison, editorial and brand director of the America the Bilingual Project, who wrote and directed this episode; Fernando Hernández Becerra and his production house in Guadalajara, Mexico, Esto No Es Radio, which provides sound design and mixing; and Jen Cavagnaro at Daruma Tech, who manages our website. Music performed by Mr. Batallán is from these recordings: Haydn Trumpet Concerto in Eb, Nightfall, and Premiere,“Mr. Batallán.” Further details on estebanbatallan.com/videos. Additional music, in order of appearance Koi Discovery - Beer blues https://bit.ly/3pIQxmi Illinois Brass Band - Wright, Tam O'Shanter's Ride https://bit.ly/4iGDOXc CSO Principal Tuba Gene Pokorny - Schifrin's Tuba Concerto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG4lZ-2zWao Kevin Macleod - Quasi Motion https://bit.ly/KevinMacleod_QuasiMotion Frederic Lardon Feat Laura Palme - Dans la méditation transcendantale https://bit.ly/3PsIzaE Monplaisir - Jam with me https://bit.ly/3EO0o23 Esteban Batallan - Hummel trumpet concerto 1st Movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXV7V4ipl1s&t=1s