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Artwork for Chosen Tongue

Chosen Tongue

Eleonora Balsano
Poetry
Identity
English Language
Cultural Identity
Language
Imposter Syndrome
Migration
English
Displacement
Bilingualism
Translation
European Literature
Translingual Writing
Creative Writing
Writing Process
Translingual Writers
Contemporary Literature
Memoir Writing
Hungarian
Mary and the Rabbit Dream

A podcast about translingual writers and their journeys.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes53Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for Chosen Tongue

Latest Episodes

Hoangmai (Mai) Pham is a Vietnamese American physician, memoirist, and former Chief Innovation Officer for Medicare and Medicaid. At six, she fled Saigon with her family at the end of the war and arrived in America with a new language to learn and a ... more

Vanessa Fabiano grew up in Switzerland, the daughter of immigrants, speaking six languages before she ever thought of herself as a writer. She studied East Asian Studies at Columbia, first traveled to China in 1994, and was back there working during ... more

Ova Ceren writes bittersweet tales of heartbreak and magic, often inspired by Turkish and Ottoman folklore. Blessed (or perhaps cursed) with a mathematical brain, she earned a degree in Computer Science and a master's that led her into a career in IT... more

Sophie Lewis is a London-born translator and editor. Working from French and Portuguese, she has translated books by Marcel Aymé, Josephine Baker, Hélène Cixous, Annie Ernaux, Violette Leduc, Noémi Lefebvre, Nastassja Martin, Françoise Sagan, Leïla S... more

Costanza Casati was born in Texas and raised in Northern Italy. She holds an MA in Writing from the University of Warwick and has worked as a screenwriter and journalist. Her debut novel, Clytemnestra, sold into more than twenty territories worldwide... more

Gonzalo Ceron Garcia was born in Santiago and spent his first years in Chile's Colchagua Valley region, before moving to Switzerland and eventually to the University of Kent, where he studied for a PhD under Scarlett Thomas. He currently teaches crea... more

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Ariel Dorfman
Argentine-Chilean-American novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and human rights activist
Independent author bios referenced in intro
Episode: Ariel Dorfman: I had to fall in love with my doubleness
Mai Pham
Vietnamese-American physician, memoirist, former CIO for Medicare and Medicaid
Bridge from Saigon
Episode: Hoangmai Pham: Piecing the self together
Vanessa Fabiano
Swiss-Spanish-Italian writer; co-founder of a literary non-profit; works in branding/communications and tech
Independent/Publisher (as applicable)
Episode: Vanessa Fabiano: Bringing my other languages into English
Ova Ceren
immigrant writer and author of The Book of Heartbreak
Episode: Ova Ceren: I gained freedom and lost some confidence
Sophie Lewis
Literary translator from French and Portuguese
Independent translator; translated authors including Hélène Cixous
Episode: Sophie Lewis: On translating Angst by Hélène Cixous
Costanza Casati
Author of Clytemnestra and Babylonia; writer in English as a second language
Episode: Costanza Casati: I still struggle with imposter syndrome
Gonzalo Ceron Garcia
Chilean writer based in the UK, teaching creative writing at the University of Warwick.
University of Warwick
Episode: Gonzalo C. Garcia: English gave me the distance
Ledia Xhoga
A fiction writer and playwright, author of Misinterpretation.
Tin House, Daunt Books
Episode: Ledia Xhoga: The pleasure of a many-flavoured language
Cristina A. Bejan
Award-winning author, playwright and spoken word artist
Episode: Cristina A. Bejan: Romanian the soul, English the freedom

Host

Eleonora Balsano
Host of Chosen Tongue; frequent contributor across episodes

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
    Belgium2 years 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!
    Ireland3 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
    Australia3 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 States3 years ago
  • Fascinating podcast

    Eleonora is a wonderful interviewer. A thoroughly engaging listen in on how writers communicate and create in their second, third (or even fourth language), as well as how this informs their creative process. Whether you’re a writer, a polyglot, or simply interested in communication, this podcast is a great resource.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rldlifelearner
    United States3 years ago
  • Very interesting !

    Translinguism is one of the most interesting topics in linguistics, creative writing and indeed literature. Thank you podcaster, I look forward to your next episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PHSOB
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the focus on translingual experiences and publishing across languages.
Episodes are described as insightful for writers, translators, and multilingual readers.
The host's multilingual perspective and guest roster are highlighted as a key strength.
The show is considered engaging and accessible to a broad audience, including non-native language learners.
Listeners praise thoughtful, well-prepared questions and intimate discussions about language and identity.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#42
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#70
South Korea/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#115
Belgium/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
Belgium/Arts

Top Books Podcasts

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Fantasy Fangirls
Fantasy FangirlsFantasy Fangirls
The Book Review
The Book ReviewThe New York Times

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Costanza Casati: I still struggle with imposter syndrome
Q: How has the imposter syndrome affected your writing process and your confidence in publishing?
Being constantly aware of being non-native pushed me to work harder, but it also taught me to persevere, rely on trusted editors, and treat criticism as part of growth rather than a failure of language.
Sophie Lewis: On translating Angst by Hélène Cixous
Q: What makes humor and idioms so challenging, and how do you decide on footnotes or substitutions?
Humor requires a grasp of language and culture; I categorize humor into jokes and non-jokes, sometimes substituting an idiom or losing a joke if necessary to preserve overall rhythm and readability, and I weigh whether a footnote is necessary or if the reader can infer context.
Sophie Lewis: On translating Angst by Hélène Cixous
Q: How do you approach translating a text for the first time when you read it in the source language?
I look at rhythm, sentence structure, and the author's voice, and I often test the text aloud to feel the voice; I also consult the author if possible to understand their reading background and the texts that influenced the author.
Ariel Dorfman: I had to fall in love with my doubleness
Q: How do you decide which language to write in when a phrase comes to you?
It's decided by the language that first presents itself; the words guide which language you proceed in, and the form often emerges from the first words.
Ova Ceren: I gained freedom and lost some confidence
Q: Why did you decide to write in English instead of Turkish, given your Turkish background?
Moving to Britain and being immersed in an English-speaking environment made English feel like the natural medium for my storytelling, and I found that I could explore identity and emotions more freely through English.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Chosen Tongue

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

This show centers on translingual writers and their journeys, exploring how multilingual identities shape creativity, voice, and published work. Episodes frequently thread language choice, exile and migration, translation challenges, and the personal politics of writing across languages. Guests range from poets and translators to authors navigating second-language publishing, offering practical insights for writers, editors, and readers interested in language, identity, and cross-cultural storytelling. A notable trait is the consistently thoughtful, intimate interview style that surfaces authentic language struggles and triumphs, making it particularly valuable for aspiring multilingual authors, editors, and publishing professionals who wan... more

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How many episodes of Chosen Tongue are there?

Chosen Tongue launched 3 years ago and published 53 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Chosen Tongue?

Recent guests on Chosen Tongue include:

1. Ariel Dorfman
2. Mai Pham
3. Vanessa Fabiano
4. Ova Ceren
5. Sophie Lewis
6. Costanza Casati
7. Gonzalo Ceron Garcia
8. Ledia Xhoga

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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