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Artwork for Chosen Tongue

Chosen Tongue

Eleonora Balsano
Cultural Identity
Poetry
Identity
English Language
Language
Translingual Writers
Creative Writing
Literature
Hisham Matar
Trauma
Language Loss
Translingual Writing
Chinese Literature
Cantonese
Exile
Islamic Culture
American Literature
Translingualism
Iran
The Safekeep

A podcast about translingual writers and their journeys.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes46Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for Chosen Tongue

Latest Episodes

Ledia Xhoga (pronounced Joga) is a fiction writer and playwright. She was born and raised in Tirana, Albania and currently lives in Brooklyn. Her debut novel Misinterpretation was published by Tin House Books (US & Canada) and Daunt Books (UK). Misin... more

An award-winning author, theatre artist and spoken word poet, Dr. Cristina A. Bejan has published books in all of her genres (history, poetry, playwriting). Her plays have been performed in 4 countries and her hit play DISTRICTLAND was bought for TV ... more

Daniel Peña is a Pushcart Prize-winning writer and Associate Professor at the University of North Texas where he teaches in the PhD Program in Creative Writing. Formerly, he was based out of the UNAM in Mexico City where he worked as Fulbright-Garcia... more

Tayyba Kanwal is a Pakistani-American writer from Houston, TX. Her short story collection, Talking with Boys, has been published in January 2026 by Black Lawrence Press. Her award-winning work has appeared in journals such as Wasafiri, Witness, Gulf ... more

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Recent Guests

Cristina A. Bejan
Award-winning author, playwright and spoken word artist
Episode: Cristina A. Bejan: Romanian the soul, English the freedom
Daniel Peña
A Pushcart Prize-winning writer and professor of creative writing
Arte Publico Press
Episode: Daniel Peña: We're products of everything
Tayyba Kanwal
Pakistani-American writer and Literary Director at Inprint in Houston
Inprint
Episode: Tayyba Kanwal: Identity is what you have, not who you are
Heidi Marjamäki
Finnish author based in Berlin, studying for a PhD in creative writing.
Okay Donkey
Episode: Heidi Marjamäki: There is no such thing as good enough
Sneha Subramanian Kanta
A poet, academic, and editor born in Mumbai, now residing in Toronto, Canada.
2025 Woodhaven Artist in Residence at the University of British Columbia
Episode: Sneha Subramanian Kanta: The Cartography of Language
Lidija Hilje
Croatian writer and book coach, author of the debut novel Slanting Towards the Sea
Simon & Schuster
Episode: Lidija Hilje: Doubting and doing it anyway
Leila Farjami
An Iranian-American poet, translator, and psychotherapist
Independent
Episode: Leila Farjami: Persian is the river, English the sea
Vesna Main
A Croatian-born writer now living between the UK and France.
Episode: Vesna Main: Belonging is overrated
Balsam Karam
A writer and university lecturer of Kurdish heritage
Episode: Balsam Karam: The known becomes more beautiful when the foreign enters

Host

Eleonora Balsano
Host known for her insightful discussions on translingual literature and writing, drawing from her experiences and expertise in the literary field.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 35 ratings
  • An Inspiring Journey Through Language

    I absolutely love this podcast! As a language and writing enthusiast, I find it incredibly inspiring. The questions are thoughtfully prepared and carefully selected, delving into the most intriguing aspects of language. It's fascinating to hear how different writers navigate the challenges of expression in a. Non native tongue. On top of that, Eleonora’s voice is a true pleasure to listen to, offering a perfect way to unwind at the end of a busy day!

    Thank you Eleonora (Missou)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Missoudal
    Belgiuma year ago
  • For writers and readers

    The discussions are easy and intimate and the questions are intelligent and thought provoking. This has become my favourite podcast to listen to. This podcast is not only for writers but for readers who read in more than one language.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The writing and the book
    Canada2 years ago
  • Fascinating Writerly Podcast

    This podcast about choosing to write in English as a second (or third or fourth) language is absolutely fascinating, and brilliantly hosted by Eleonora Balsano. Eleonora is a terrific writer in English - her chosen tongue - and as a journalist is expert at drawing out her subjects’ writing lives!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fifiappgirl!
    Ireland2 years ago
  • Chosen Tongue is brilliant!

    Eleonora brings her own translingual mind to the tricky, delicious, creative works of translingual writers. She has great guests, and really incisive, interesting discussions with them. Highly recommend

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pleomorphic2
    Australia2 years ago
  • Perfect for multicultural listeners (& those who are simply curious)

    Fantastic premise for a podcast. So many of us straddle languages and cultures, and lives do not always translate. Listening to how these writers express themselves and tell their stories across the different linguistic tools they can wield really gives me a newfound awe of neuroplasticity. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ad_aegyptum
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host is celebrated for her engaging style and ability to draw nuanced conversations from guests about their experiences with translingual writing.
Listeners praise the podcast for its intelligent and thought-provoking discussions, finding it particularly inspiring for those interested in language and writing.
Feedback highlights the podcast's relevance for writers and readers alike, emphasizing its multicultural and multilingual themes as a significant draw.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#192
Belgium/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#241
Finland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cristina A. Bejan: Romanian the soul, English the freedom
Q: Can you give me an example of how your different languages influence your writing?
Having lived in different parts of the world and knowing multiple languages allows for a greater pool of inspiration and helps enrich writing with diverse perspectives.
Cristina A. Bejan: Romanian the soul, English the freedom
Q: What do you find happens within you when you switch languages to write?
When writing, language comes naturally; it flows in the language that is best suited for it, rather than a conscious switch in mindset.
Daniel Peña: We're products of everything
Q: Do you think the racism you experienced as a child is different from the racism of today?
I think it's the same racism, it's just the mask has been ripped off it.
Daniel Peña: We're products of everything
Q: How does it feel? What do you feel more when you're out of the United States?
I feel Mexican-American everywhere.
Ani Gjika: The Language of Freedom
Q: Would you feel as free to write about these themes in opinion in your mother tongue? Or does English offer you more liberty?
Ani shares that she doesn't feel as creatively adequate in Albanian and hasn't written much in that language, suggesting that English offers her more freedom.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chosen Tongue

What is Chosen Tongue about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the experiences of translingual writers, the content explores the complexities of identity, language, and cultural heritage through engaging discussions with various authors. Episodes feature in-depth conversations that highlight the challenges and creative processes of individuals who navigate multiple languages, delving into themes such as belonging, migration, and the impact of cultural contexts on storytelling. Notably, it emphasizes the unique perspectives that come from bilingualism and the artistic expression that emerges within such frameworks, appealing not only to writers but also to those intrigued by the intersections of language and identity.

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Which podcasts are similar to Chosen Tongue?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Chosen Tongue:

1. The Political Scene | The New Yorker

How many episodes of Chosen Tongue are there?

Chosen Tongue launched 2 years ago and published 46 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Chosen Tongue?

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What guests have appeared on Chosen Tongue?

Recent guests on Chosen Tongue include:

1. Cristina A. Bejan
2. Daniel Peña
3. Tayyba Kanwal
4. Heidi Marjamäki
5. Sneha Subramanian Kanta
6. Lidija Hilje
7. Leila Farjami
8. Vesna Main

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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