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Artwork for Word For Word

Word For Word with Sophia Smith Galer

Word For Word with Sophia Smith Galer
English Language
Scots Language
Italian
Punjabi
Spanish Language
English
Farsi
German Language
British Empire
Mandarin
Singlish
Italy
Arabic Language
Italian Language

Word For Word is a podcast about storytellers and the languages that made them. Each episode, award-winning journalist and author Sophia Smith Galer sits down with writers, artists and creators to explore the words behind their work: the languages they grew up with, learned, lost and gained that formed their imagination and creative practice. New episodes weekly.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes8Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Word For Word

Latest Episodes

Roy Bualuan - better known online as human1011 - grew up in Indiana with Lebanese Arabic, French and English in his life.

He studied physics at Notre Dame, picked up Modern Standard Arabic as a language requirement, and emerged from that first class... more

Zing Tseng - journalist, author, and co-host of BBC's Good Bad Billionaire - grew up navigating Mandarin classes in Singapore, a Cantonese-speaking home, and the glorious linguistic chaos of Singlish.

In this episode, she and Sophia trace the langu... more

Dictionary Corner's secret weapon isn't English - it's German!In this episode of Word For Word, lexicographer, broadcaster and word detective Susie Dent joins Sophia Smith Galer at Casa Italiana in Clerkenwell to talk about the languages that made he... more

Speaking Iraqi Arabic opened doors in the field - while her Hull accent raised eyebrows in the newsroom.

In this episode of Word For Word, multi-Emmy award-winning journalist Hind Hassan joins Sophia Smith Galer to talk about how her languages have ... more

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Recent Guests

Zing Tseng
Journalist and author, former Vice journalist
Vice; Author of Forgotten Women; Host of Good Bad Billionaire
Episode: The languages that shaped Zing Tseng
Susie Dent
Author, lexicographer, broadcaster; known for Dictionary Corner on Countdown
Oxford University Press (former), Dictionary Corner (Countdown)
Episode: The languages that shaped Susie Dent
Hind Hassan
Multi-Emmy award-winning journalist, storyteller
BBC / Al Jazeera / Vice (as mentioned in transcript)
Episode: The languages that shaped Hind Hassan
Sathnam Sanghera
Journalist, broadcaster, author; explores identity, history, and modern Britain
Author of Empireland, Empireworld, Boy With The Top Knot, Marriage Material
Episode: The languages that shaped Sathnam Sanghera
Maryam Moshiri
BBC News presenter known for coverage of major events (e.g., coronation, wars, papal events)
BBC News
Episode: The languages that shaped Maryam Moshiri
Len Pennie
Multi bestselling poet and radio host
Episode: The languages that shaped Len Pennie

Host

Sophia Smith Galer
Host of Word For Word, journalist and author who discusses language and storytelling

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • Brilliant podcast!

    I’ve just listened to Episode 1 of Word for Word. Absolutely excellent! I enjoyed it so much. I grew up in the north of Ireland using Scots words every day in the home and the street (and am now also a Spanish speaker) so I really felt this episode too. Can’t wait to hear E2. 🙏👏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Babhdán
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners highlight personal, intimate storytelling and a smart take on language.
Fans appreciate the blend of memoir and linguistic insight.
Many note high-quality guests who illuminate language's social role.
Some praise the show's thoughtful, calm interview style and curiosity.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#163
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#105
Chile/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#118
Philippines/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#155
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#162
Spain/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#183
Ukraine/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The languages that shaped Zing Tseng
Q: How have languages influenced your journalism and storytelling approach?
She argues that multilingualism provides mental flexibility and agility, enabling quicker adaptation to different audiences and contexts, which benefits investigative reporting and global storytelling.
The languages that shaped Zing Tseng
Q: Which languages shaped you, and how did you learn them within Singapore's multilingual system?
She outlines Mandarin as her first shaping language, Singlish as a dynamic creole in Singapore, and the compartmentalized education system that emphasized rote Mandarin learning while English dominated instruction.
The languages that shaped Zing Tseng
Q: What's the origin story of your name and how did it shape your sense of language identity?
Zing explains her name and its pronunciation issues, how it reflects Indonesian-Chinese heritage, and how her own chosen name helped shape her identity and perseverance in language.
The languages that shaped Sathnam Sanghera
Q: How has your experience with Punjabi influenced your writing about empire?
Growing up bilingual gave me a lens to see the empire's legacies as both contradictory and creative; it shaped how I understand language contact, the spread of words, and the way diasporic communities preserve and reinvent language in new contexts.
The languages that shaped Sathnam Sanghera
Q: What would you tell someone who is new to Punjabi about the language?
Punjabi is famous for its expressive vocabulary, including lively, sometimes graphic swear words, and it carries a strong sense of cultural identity; even if you don't learn to read or write it, speaking and understanding it connects you to family, music, and food in a powerful way.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Word For Word

What is Word For Word about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, intellectually curious interview series centered on storytellers and the languages that shaped their imagination. Each episode pairs a seasoned host with writers, artists, and creators to unpack how language—from childhood dialects to learned languages—infuses their work, identity, and storytelling approach. Noteworthy for its linguistics-forward lens, diverse guest lineup, and a conversational style that blends memoir with cultural analysis, the show is likely to appeal to listeners who love language, culture, and storytelling, and who enjoy hearing how words influence creative practice in real-world careers.

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Which podcasts are similar to Word For Word?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Word For Word:

1. Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
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3. ill-advised by Bill Nighy
4. The Guilty Feminist
5. The Book Club

How many episodes of Word For Word are there?

Word For Word launched 2 months ago and published 8 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 Word For Word?

Recent guests on Word For Word include:

1. Zing Tseng
2. Susie Dent
3. Hind Hassan
4. Sathnam Sanghera
5. Maryam Moshiri
6. Len Pennie

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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