Stories about Language
Battle of survival and expression in Jerusalem's Armenian Community
The Armenian community in Jerusalem, rooted in the fourth century, faces a dire battle for survival, grappling with challenges that threaten not only their freedom of expression but their very existence.
Museum of Russian anti-war street art opens online
Russian anthropologist Alexandra Arkhipova and her colleagues have been collecting examples of anti-war street-art — stickers, graffiti, leaflets, and complex installations — for 1.5 years, from 48 Russian cities.
Exiled Iranian crown prince awarded US LGBTQ+ award for speaking up for Iran's queer community
The Iranian LGBTQ+ community is kept invisible by the Iranian opposition, but a US LGBTQ+ award to exile Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi seems to signify changes in attitudes.
Tatar language activist who identifies as queer: ‘Under the influence of the modern Russian state, Central Asian politicians are trying to implement similar anti-gay policies’
Interview with Tatar queer language activist Marsel Ganeyev, whose aim is to „help minorities reconnect to their roots or overcome the emotional trauma"
Undoing colonialism in gender diversity discourse in the Philippines
Colonized by Spain, the US, and Japan, the Philippines has a long history of discourses imposed on its own traditions, including the ones related to gender identity and fluidity.
In Gabon, music is a tool for visibility both inside and outside the country
In Gabon, music has the power to fuse tradition and modernity, and use globalization to its advantage.
At a crucial time for global crises, X (formerly Twitter) dilutes its violent speech policy
X has softened its violent speech policy significantly, decreasing both the scope of its provision on violent speech as well as the consequences imposed when such speech is detected.
Casual racism in Russia's everyday life: ‘Even though you are Buryat, you are still one of us’
Hurtful stereotypes can create actual barriers between people, fuel division and animosity. Stereotypes about an ethnic minority living in Russia, Buryats, are a vivid example of these negative social processes
Yelena Trifonova: ‘In Siberia, calling someone “Muscovite” is almost an insult’
"Independent journalism will persist as long as there's a demand for it in Russia. We cannot abandon people; because it’s the same as abandoning hostages," says the editor of Baikal People.
Translation as a voyage of discovery in the literal sense: Story of an adventure in Tibetan lands
How to translate into French a Tibetan author who writes in Chinese about profoundly Tibetan realities? A Global Voices interview with the project participants.
Anti-war activist punk musician from Yakutia detained in Kazakhstan
The poet, activist and leader of the Yakut punk band Crispy Newspaper Aikhal Ammosov regularly took to the streets with pickets and performances, painted graffiti and tried to hang anti-war banners in Russia.
Yiddish: A language to celebrate also for its hilarious curses
Global Voices spoke to Matthew Katzman, author of "Oy Vey! Yiddish Slang 101," a satirical dictionary that weaves personal family stories with Yiddish expressions to understand the evolution of the language.
Discrimination against Nubians in pop culture and media
Nubians grapple with the harmful impact of stereotyping in media, causing feelings of invisibility, exclusion, and self-censorship. This in turn marginalize them and obscure their cultural contributions and expression.
Iraqi Assyrians struggle for freedom of expression amid political and extremist threats
Ongoing oppression, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, and political unrest have greatly reduced the Middle East's Assyrian community, endangering their 3000-year-old Assyrian language in its native Middle Eastern home.
Why Cardi B’s undoing of appropriateness liberates us all
A Black immigrant educator explores how overlooking the role of race and language in the Black immigrant experience affects people’s emotional well-being, making them targets for repulsion, exclusion, and eradication.
How Kurdish language divisions hinder access to information
The ongoing disputes among Kurdish languages and their lack of standardization create obstacles to accessing online information, impedes the flow of information, and curtails active participation in the digital realm.
Meet a pioneer promoting inclusion through digital STEM education in the Yoruba language
Dr. Taofeeq Adebayo is breaking entrenched language barriers and the digital divide by teaching scientific and technological concepts in Yoruba through digital platforms.
Morocco's Amazigh pursue civic presence through linguistic rights
Respecting the linguistic rights of the Amazigh people promotes social integration and allows speakers to freely express their culture and identity, which results in increased civic engagement.
Digital activist discusses why native Yoruba speakers should embrace their Indigenous language in online spaces
Many people are beginning to forget all the rich cultural and historical aspects of Yoruba. If the language is to thrive, its culture and identity must be visible.
Interview with Ukraine's most translated author, Russophone novelist Andrei Kurkov
Global Voices interviewed Andrei Kurkov, one of Ukraine's most prolific and translated authors, who writes his novels in Russian and his non-fiction in Ukrainian.
Russian diplomats react to a new law on language in Kyrgyzstan, bringing back colonial past
The Kyrgyz language is an integral part of national identity. It is vital for the survival of Kyrgyz people as a separate ethnic group and Kyrgyzstan as a nation.