A Generation of Silence: Why Armenian Schools Matter

Sevana Panosian

 

Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent. – Ludwig Wittgenstein

The Armenian diaspora is slowly raising a generation of silence.

This statement may come as a shock, but it stems from the philosopher and linguist Ludwig Wittgenstein’s treatise on language where he states “the limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”

I remember learning about his theories in graduate school while studying other linguistic theorists like Mikhael Bakhtin, but these words entered the “where are they now” files of my musings and memory until I heard my older daughter correct my younger daughter as she spoke about the importance of being Armenian and her pride in balancing her ability to code switch not only between English and Armenian, but also between Western and Eastern Armenian.

Gus on the Go: Armenian Language Apps for Children

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has announced the launch of the Western and Eastern Armenian versions of the Gus on the Go language app for children. AGBU is partnering with toojuice, LLC-the creators of Gus on the Go-to encourage young children to discover the Armenian language through interactive vocabulary lessons and games. The app is now available for download for $3.99 USD on both iOS and Android devices.

Vay, vay, vay

Kristi Rendahl

 

Armenians are quick to tell you what a rich language they have, and with good cause. Those 39 letters (or 36, depending on who’s reading this) (*) have a history. There’s a reason why my friends at Manana Youth Center are raising money to create an animated film series of the Armenian alphabet. It’s rich, and it’s relevant.

There are a few Armenian expressions that stand out from the rest for me. Words that are the only appropriate way to convey something, whether I’m speaking with an Armenian or an American or a Liberian. “You’re speaking from a warm place,” I’ll say in English, explaining that it’s an Armenian expression for someone who is in a convenient position to have a given attitude or belief.

Armenian Language Dilemma Draws Positive Feedback

Ten-year-old Meline Almasian doesn’t have the perfect remedy to saving the Armenian language from extinction in America. But she does offer a solution on how to preserve the Mother Tongue and keep it solvent: “Go to church, hear the language spoken, and treat it like a learning lesson,” she says. “If any language dies, it’s only because people let it die. It’s up to all of us to keep the language alive—young and old.”