Explore every episode of the podcast Languages through Music

Milton Foster is a polyglot creative powerhouse: musician, producer, audio engineer, filmmaker, and founder of the Language Link Up.

From serenading the ladies in a salon at age 5 with Bob Marley tunes, to discovering a passion for languages as a teenager, in this episode Milton shares the sounds that shaped and inspired him. @thejamaicanpolyglot

#languagesthroughmusic #miltonfoster #thejamaicanpolyglot #thelanguagelinkup

I’m so happy to welcome Sandra Gasana, aka Umurutasaté, to the podcast. This amazing artist, journalist, and teacher is the embodiment of Languages through Music!

Singing in eight languages and speaking "6.5," she reminds us that language is most vibrant when it is truly lived. Our conversation dances between Addis, Montreal, and Dakar via Amharic, French, and one day-- Wolof!

#umuratasaté #journalist #teacher #montreal #multilingual #performer

I met Kathy Kurious at The Polyglot Conference in Taipei, in November 2025, and we immediately connected over a love of music, hip-hop in particular, and, of course, languages.

In this chat we travel to Sesame Street, we keep Portland weird, and we learn about some of the books Kathy has translated, including The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (a New York Times bestseller), and Renegade Rhymes: Rap Music, Narrative, and Knowledge in Taiwan.

Kathy is a super accomplished translator, a dancer, and a deejay who has a lot to teach us about the importance of staying kurious.

Xie xie, Kathy!!

#kathykurious #translator #linguist #deejay #polyglot

In this episode, I got to connect with the amazing Tana Yonas, also known as DJ Passionfruit — a music selector, educator, writer, researcher, and global explorer of sound. From Ethiopia to LA, Mexico City to Tokyo, Tana’s journey moves through cultures, languages, record stores, and deep musical lineages.

We talk about home, heritage, cities you can hear before you arrive, analog culture, the magic of taxi radios around the world, and how music becomes a passport — a way to travel, learn, and remember.

We also dig into Freedom Frequencies, Tana’s video series; her family’s intergenerational connection to music, film, and documentation; and why Arabic poetry moves her so much.

An analog evangelist extraordinaire, Tana will have you logging off and tuning in.

@passionfruit.wav

Join Languages through Music on Skool!

Enjoy code BYE2025 to get the entire LTM Masterclass for £50 www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language

#tanayonas #freedomfrequencies #languagesthroughmusic

Polyglot Urmi Hossain joins the LTM podcast to chat Bengali roots, Italian upbringing, and Canadian current home!

Urmi shares her multilingual 'TCK' insights and notes on her self-publishing journey. Check out her podcast too: Stories Beyond Borders. Thanks, Urmi!

Enjoy 10% off LTM masterclass or cards with code: LEARNWITHURMI

#bengali #italian #TCK #multicultural #multilingual

Happy birthday, Tamara!

I finally get to interview my fellow linguist & music-lover, and (1/4) co-founder of Sisters Only Language Summit (our revolutionary safe space for Black women in languages).

Come and salsa with us, travel, and explore how Tamara built her platform on inspiration del Caribe! 🎶 💃🏽🏝

https://www.spanishconsalsa.com/

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

#spanish #salsa #podcast #languagesthroughmusic #spanishconsalsa

Meet Mehdya Fassi, a creative French teacher based in New York, opening your mind to the many, multicultural layers of the French language.

Mehdya makes sure that students learn French with a social justice lens, so if vous voulez intersectional, decolonial values en français? You are in the right place.

Speak & Joy students learn to express themselves clearly and confidently on the topics that really matter, with an experienced teacher who also brings her love of theatre into her work.

Thanks for your time, Mehdya!

https://speakandjoy.com/

Join us over on www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language and our platform on Skool.com

#newyork #french #teacher #social #justice #actor #morroco #belgium # speak #joy

Meet Mirghani, an amazing, multilingual teacher who contributed to LTM's Arabic, Italian, and Mandarin resources.

Hailing from Sudan, and based in Egypt, he shares his journey with us through multiple lands and languages.

Connect with him on iTalki, where he has successfully delivered over 700 lessons! (https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7498464) & keep an eye out for his forthcoming Stories from Sudan 🇸🇩🇸🇩🇸🇩

Shukran, ya Mirghani! :)

#arabic #english #italian #mandarin #egypt #sudan

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

I've been following Nathan for a while now, ever since I heard of his platform Smarter Korean and that it was a Black-owned online Korean school! 🇰🇷

I love his backstory, which speaks to how a single friend and community can truly open brand new worlds and languages to us. Listen to his journey from L.A to Seoul and far beyond. 🙌🏽

And try a Korean class! I'm going to!

▶️ www.smarterkorean.com

감사합니다, Nate! 💜

You can also join us over at Languages through Music 🐬

www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language

Such a joy to speak with Anesh from On the Spot Language! 🌍🗣️

Anesh reached out a while back, and we instantly connected over a shared appreciation for languages, culture, creativity, community, and well-being.

Our conversation flowed—from the sound of Om to Celine Dion, morning mantras from the Bhagavad Gita to cultural intelligence nuggets, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, sneezing, and other universal threads that connect us all.

Languages featured in our exchange included Gujarati, Afrikaans, French, Japanese, Mandarin, and more—each one opening new windows into how we express, relate, and understand.

💫 Thank you, Anesh, for your infectious enthusiasm and your pioneering spirit in language learning!

📖 Check out his chapter in A New Paradigm of Education

🌐 Learn more about the innovative On the Spot Language programme: https://www.onthespotlanguage.com

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

So great to catch up with Gaby Van Horn, and learn about her multilingual upbringing and her journey towards her Clever Hybrids podcast, Cross Gen Production, and Tigrinlish platform.

We touch on the challenges and joys of being a solopreneur, the uplifting power of music, the importance of representation in language learning, and the passion that Eritreans hold for Turkish series & Bollywood films! Via Seal, Carole King, and Abraham Afwerki, of course.

#music #language #multilingualism #cultural identity #CleverHybrids #representation #Spanish #Tigrinya #Amharic #Turkish #Arabic

In this episode of the Languages Through Music podcast, I got to speak with Elle from the Speaking Tongues podcast. We explore personal music memories, the significance of Bahamian rake & scrape, and the multilingual buffet of language learning! Listen for a taste of the vibrant culinary, cultural, and musical landscape of New York City and beyond.

Listen to Elle's podcast, Speaking Tongues: https://speakingtonguespodcast.com/

Join the LTM Masterclass: www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language

In this episode of the Languages Through Music podcast, I get to speak with Orlynda Vales, a special care counselor, linguist, and artist, who shares her rich language journey from Haitian Kréyol to Japanese. Orlynda and I met at the Polyglot Gathering in Prague last year.

Orlinda discusses the importance of language in healthcare, and how she balances her passions for art and languages.

#Languages #Linguistics #Mental #Health #Counseling #Art #Polyglot #Japanese #Spanish #WinterChallenge #Personal #Growth

I really enjoyed interviewing Yara (Yamkela), a wonderful isiXhosa teacher I met via iTalki, who made the amazing isiXhosa through Music resource for LTM.

In this chat, we learn more of her own musical journey and influences. Yara shares her earliest music memories, the significance of overtone singing in isiXhosa culture.

We discuss the language education system in South Africa, Yara's path to becoming a teacher, and her love for horticulture.

The conversation also touches on future language learning goals and the therapeutic aspects of music and language.

Enkosi, Yamkela!

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7821163

LTM Masterclass: www.languagesthroughmusic.com/

save 25% on sign up with code LTMPOD

www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language

#music #language #learning #overtone #singing #SouthAfrica #teaching #horticulture #cultural #education, #traditional #isixhosa

After twenty years in international education, it's not every day that a school impresses you SO MUCH! 🤩🤩🤩

LTM made a visit in December 2024 and the inspiration is still bubbling. Thanks so much for hosting us, Bamboo School. Bamboo School is the future of education, for real! 🌱🎋🍄

https://www.mechaipattana.ac.th/

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

I finally got to meet Hermon Mehari, live and in person!

I was very geeked- I love his music and had even written him into one of my short stories with Afritondo where the main character was also a trumpetist :D

Later we found out we had our lovely Turkish teacher, Dilara, in common. The multi-award winning Eritrean jazz trumpetist happened to be in Bangkok at the same time as me, so this episode was recorded at Public House podcast studio, soi 31.

Hermon Mehari received his BM in Jazz Performance from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance in 2010. In addition to performing, he dedicates himself to being a serious educator, runs a weekly musical radio program called "The Session" on the NPR-affiliate station KCUR 89.3, is an artistic director of the Collectif MiRR, and has participated in arts-related clinics and panels around the world. 

Listen in to discover Hermon's take on music, languages, self-study, travel, and much more.

"The Yoruba language must not die."

In this episode of the Languages Through Music podcast, Desta welcomes Professor Ajibade and his daughter Bisola to discuss the significance of the Yoruba language and culture.

They explore the personal and cultural influences that shaped their love for Yoruba, the challenges faced in preserving the language, and the growing interest in Yoruba studies both in Nigeria and the diaspora.

The conversation also touches on the impact of Afrobeat music on language learning, favorite Yoruba artists, and the wisdom found in Yoruba proverbs.

#Yoruba #language #culture #Afrobeat #education, #diaspora #literature #identity #languagepreservation, #YorubaMusic #proverbs

Ra Jikotea Niaku'no Ruiz León is a Taíno-Borikua artist and educator from Boriken (also known by the colonial name: Puerto Rico). Ra is the founder and director of Wuru Taíno Tekiro'uo, a grassroots initiative focused on promoting and celebrating Taíno language and culture through workshops, presentations, classes, and community gatherings. She is an enrolled tribal member of Higuayagua Taíno of the Caribbean and a member of the Hiwatahia-Taíno language team.
Ra Jikotea Niaku'no Ruiz LeónWuru Taíno Tekiro'uo Founder & Director, Taíno-Borikua artist & educator"Celebrating Taíno language and culture"

https://www.raruizleon.com/
https://www.raruizleon.com/wuru-taino

In this episode I get to interview my wonderful Thai teacher, Kru Pimmi. We talk about knowing your calling from a young age, and Kru Pimmi shares her journey of teaching English and Thai. We talk about London and and how it is buzzing with music and things to do, learn, try. We talk about Kru Pimmi's experience learning Spanish and her desire to learn Japanese and Arabic. We end on a philosophical note, and discover a prominent figure in Thai history and language study. Use the code 'KRU' (teacher in Thai for 10% off the LTM Masterclass: www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language

Ekaete Alfred, Director of the Pan-African Academy, discusses the importance of teaching African history and languages. She founded Pan-African Academy in 2021 to ensure that children understand their history, where they come from, and their power. Ekaete shares her experience of teaching history in schools, and she also talks about the lesser-known Nigerian language, Annang, and the challenges of finding resources to teach it. Ekaete discusses her future plans for Pan-African Academy, including working with schools, producing more courses, and creating content about different parts of Africa.

JP Bimeni, a musician from Burundi, shares his earliest music memory and how his love for dancing led him to music. He discusses the importance of writing and performing in his native language, Kirundi, and the impact it has had on his connection to his culture. JP shares his love for Greek and Tanzanian music, as well as his fascination with Lingala.

Check out JP's music here, and if you are in the LTM Masterclass, his selections for Kirundi through Music! Murakoze.

#JPBimeni #musician #Burundi #Kirundi #language #learning music #culture #Greekmusic #Tanzanian music #Lingala

Check out Maëlan's music here!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0n566rPD7blGzgvxaynNwL?si=owosHbjNQySfFHh74X7wAg

The multicultural London-based brother takes us on a journey from BXL to Dakar and back again through his bluesy, soulful sounds.

Join the LTM Masterclass!

www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language

It's not every day that you get to teach a magician! So I had to invite Maximiliano onto the podcast to talk music, memory, languages, and, of course, MAGIC!

Maximiliano is the Mindfarer™ is a magician, hypnotist, and awardwinning performer, wandering through people's psyche, reading their innermost thoughts and emotions. His practice is a constant invitation to embark on a fascinating journey inside the human mind so as to discover its hidden potential.

With a background in hypnotherapy, mentalism and education, Maximiliano has successfully combined all his skills to create a unique form of entertainment designed to spark a sense of wonderment and curiosity about the power of the mind. ​

https://www.mindfarer.com/

Join us in the LTM Masterclass:

www.languagesthroughmusic.com/learn-a-language

Speaking culture, Tewelde Redda, bribery, Thelonious Monk and many things in between with Ruth, the wonderful founder of Semai Kids.

https://semaikids.com/

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

A chat with our wonderful Arabic teacher Mona who is so many things in one: artist, singer, educator, linguist, inspiration.

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

Meet the lovely polyglot & travel-meister Isayas Haile aka Mr International /@mr.1nternational as he journeys around the world collecting languages and Always Giving Back.

His fave 3 Songs x 3\(+!\) Languages: 🌌Semai by Abraham Afwerki 💙Enty Hayaty by Saad Lamjarred & Calema & ✨Spiritual by Burna Boy Tune

Check out the 3 Songs x 3 Languages playlist on Spotify 🎶

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

Languages through Music podcast is baaaaack! And the first guest is the incredibly gifted and lovely Kadialy Kouyate. I had the privilege of meeting Kadialy at Muxima-- East London's quirky and wonderful slice of Angolan originality.  https://kouyatekadialy.com/ Born into the great line of Kouyate Griot in Southern Senegal, Kadialy Kouyate’s kora playing and singing style, both as a soloist and in different ensembles, have been appreciated in many prestigious venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the 02 Arena, the National Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall and Clarence House. Kadialy has also played venues and festivals across the world, touring to Europe, Australia and North America. Since his arrival in the UK, Kadialy has played a significant part in enriching the London musical scene with his griot legacy. Kadialy has taught the kora at SOAS, University of London, for the last decade and he has also been involved in countless musical projects both as a collaborator and a session musician. He toured with the RSC’s production of Julius Caesar and other theatre projects include working at the London Globe Theatre on a show called We The People as well as touring three children theatre projects with the renowned Oily Cart. In 2015 he took part in the remaking of the TV series Roots as a musician, cultural consultant and dialect coach. Kadialy has released several albums, and makes regular radio and television appearances. With his Sound Archive, Kadialy Kouyate draws on his heritage and its traditional songs to create his own mesmerising compositions, leading his fantastic band into the West African groove. His latest album Nemo meaning Blessings in Mandinka was released in April 2020 and has won rave reviews from the press. Nemo was recently selected Top of The World in the July 2020  issue of the Songlines Magazine.

MERON T 

https://www.instagram.com/mezthehun/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6IwYq4v4cTJHaB3YLvWGJA

VOTE FOR MARY: https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/nominate/34156/ 

The Mary Show  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQnMhAc6WP9oLU2QqLC3WAiD4Qh2WwmrK 

Desta TV https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtkGQHpjykyU8S4JsbX_40g 

Mary mentions Abraham Afewerki & Yemane Barya 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCInYCxCARc4kEMR0KuKfaIA 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCikOraYv06pnm9k8rs8w4vw  

We also talk about a shared love of Ethiopian singer Tamrat Desta 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vp4jWAIap4  

Background music:  Eritrean Old School Mix: Quarantine Mix 12 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9FupsPzfkM 

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

https://www.bahghi.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bahghi.music/

https://www.instagram.com/bahghi_/

ERITREAN ANTHOLOGY: 

https://spoti.fi/2RaLauR

https://www.instagram.com/eritreananthology

Background music is Tekle Tesfazghi: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1VF8u3fSr0

The amazing Amanda Malela for Lingala through Music!

https://www.instagram.com/amandamalela/?hl=en

New album dropping in May!

Join us! 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172464-lingala-through-music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgHmPN9Phk3kL4qJ1kU4Uow

https://www.instagram.com/boulempanya/

Background music from Musique Sans Frontieres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoZ3EyV-3YU

Join us: 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172464-lingala-through-music

http://www.jesuisbadi.com/

Join us: 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172464-lingala-through-music

https://liteyalingala.com/

Join us! 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172464-lingala-through-music

Background Music from Hive Mind Records

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxrsiGOQcoM

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfvOKVxSYkXyyfukqxi1NSQ

https://www.facebook.com/FidHop

https://twitter.com/fidq

Join Swahili through Music here:

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172463-swahili-through-music

https://www.instagram.com/mayonde/

https://www.facebook.com/mayondemusic

Join us! 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172463-swahili-through-music

Join us! 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172463-swahili-through-music

Join us!

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172463-swahili-through-music

@languagesthroughmusic

https://www.philippandisiherrmann.com/about

Join us! 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172463-swahili-through-music

Join us for more Swahili through Music!

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172463-swahili-through-music

Hey everyone! This podcast is part of a very special project with BOZAR.

For more information please see:

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/170872-languages-through-music---africa-special-online

Kinyarwanda through Music

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172453-kinyarwanda-through-music

Sign up for access to a bunch of resources to help you learn Kinyarwanda- including full transcripts to this podcast in English, French & Dutch.

Thanks, enjoy!

Follow Makeda:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cczbtNiBch6xUYeTiOUgA

IG: @contactmakeda

Hey everyone! This podcast is part of a very special project with BOZAR.

For more information please see:

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/170872-languages-through-music---africa-special-online

Kinyarwanda through Music

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172453-kinyarwanda-through-music

Sign up for access to a bunch of resources to help you learn Kinyarwanda- including full transcripts to this podcast in English, French & Dutch.

Thanks, enjoy!

Hey everyone! This podcast is part of a very special project with BOZAR.

For more information please see:

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/170872-languages-through-music---africa-special-online

Kinyarwanda through Music

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172453-kinyarwanda-through-music

Sign up for access to a bunch of resources to help you learn Kinyarwanda- including full transcripts to this podcast in English, French & Dutch.

Thanks, enjoy!

Hey everyone! This podcast is part of a very special project with BOZAR.

For more information please see:

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/170872-languages-through-music---africa-special-online

Kinyarwanda through Music

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172453-kinyarwanda-through-music

Sign up for access to a bunch of resources to help you learn Kinyarwanda- including full transcripts to this podcast in English, French & Dutch.

Thanks, enjoy!

Hey everyone! This podcast is part of a very special project with BOZAR. 

For more information please see: 

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/170872-languages-through-music---africa-special-online

Kinyarwanda through Music

https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/172453-kinyarwanda-through-music

Sign up for access to a bunch of resources to help you learn Kinyarwanda- including full transcripts to this podcast in English, French & Dutch. 

Thanks, enjoy! 

Check out Youtube video with text: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqMGL_hdft

Enjoy! 

Oh, je t'aime
Oh, je t'aime
Oh, je t'aime
Oh, je t'aime

Je ne peux pas danser sans toi
Je peux pas chanter sans toi
Je ne peux pas sortir sans toi
Je peux pas dormir sans toi
Je ne peux pax manger sans toi
Je peux pas voyager sans toi

Oh, je t'aime
Oh, je t'aime
Oh, je t'aime
Oh, je t'aime

Sans toi, sans toi
Je ne peux rien faire
Sans toi, sans toi
Je ne peux rien faire
Sans toi, sans toi
Je ne peux rien faire
Sans toi, sans toi
Je ne peux rien faire...
Mon amour
Je ne peux rien faire
Mon amour
Je ne peux rien faire

Oh, je t'aime
Tu es la lumiere de ma vie
Oh, je t'aime
Tu es le soleil de ma journee
Oh, je t'aime
Je t'aime, je t'aime
Je t'aime, je t'adore!

Tu es ma seule confidante
Oh, je t'aime
Tu es mon seul espoir
Oh, je t'aime
Je t'aime, je t'aime!
Oh, je t'aime
Je t'aime, je t'adore!
Oh, je t'aime

Je ne peux rien faire
Je ne peux rien faire
Je ne peux rien faire

És senhora e soberana

Tu menina da montanha

Onde a gente da terra dorme

Com o terço nas mãos

Onde quedam fotos de família

De uns e outros de outrora

Tu cresceste com o tango dos dois

E com tanta poesia a brotar

Dos seus pincéis de mil cores

Quero que um dia dês descanso aos teus medos…

Pelo cordão sagrado do amor

Chegou a tua força a mim

E a luz que trago

É a herança do teu olhar

Cuida mais de ti meu farol…

Meu farol, minha mãe, meu farol…

Key Words: 

menina- girl 

montanha- mountain

onde- where

gente- people

terra- earth

dormir- to sleep

mãos- hands

quedar- to keep/stay

crescer- to grow 

com- with 

tanta/o- so much

poesia- poetry

mil- thousand

cores- colours

medos- fears

quero- i want

dia- day 

descansar- to rest

sagrado- sacred

amor- love

força- strength

mim- me

luz- light

trago- i bring

olhar- gaze

farol- lighthouse

Beijos!

www.payhip.com/languagesthroughmusic for the Portuguese eBook & playlist! :)