As a registered non-profit organization, ELA cannot endorse political candidates, nor did we want to add to the ceaseless chatter during what felt like an eternal campaign here in the US. But there have been some points that we cannot in good conscience ignore without comment. In particular, one campaign has ruthlessly targeted Mexican immigrants…
We’re thrilled to share “Mother Tongues and Queens” — a language map of the world’s languages capital! The map shows NYC’s linguistic diversity in more detail than ever before, reflecting ELA’s work over the last 6 years. The map is featured in the fabulous, just-released “Nonstop Metropolis: A New York City Atlas” edited by Rebecca…
Through the initiative of Breizh Amerika founder, Charles Kergaravat, a unique musical collaboration between Breton and Garifuna musicians entitled the Breizh Amerika Collective has put forth a striking new album “Asambles. Uwarani. Together”. Trust us, you’ve never heard anything like it. Help support endangered musical cultures in New York and around the world. Donate $25 or more to…
Over the last several months, led by project coordinator Nawang Tsering Gurung — originally from Mustang, Nepal and now living in Queens — ELA has launched Voices of the Himalaya, a new project exploring the lived experiences of migration and social change among Himalayan New Yorkers. The aim is to document the languages, cultures, social…
On Tuesday June 21 at 6:30 pm, come listen in on a live podcast taping, featuring ELA and The World in Words at the New York Public Library, one of the world’s great research institutions, with materials on over 430 languages. The hosts of The World in Words, Patrick Cox and Nina Porzucki, will explore what’s happening…
ELA is collaborating with the Queens Museum, at the center of one of the most linguistically diverse places on earth, on two exhibits and a series of public events. This Saturday June 11, from 2 to 4 pm, “Languages Lost and Found: A Roundtable” will feature writers, translators, linguists and practitioners discussing language endangerment, revitalization…
A new introductory Hawaiian class, starting this Thursday night, June 9 and continuing every Thursday night in June from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm! ʻO ke alelo ka hoeuli. The tongue is the steering paddle of the words uttered by the mouth. In celebration of Hōkūleʻa’s World Wide Voyage named “Mālama Honua,” Ka Leo Nūioka and launching its…
In this 8th installment of the Unheard Of! series, ELA continues to promote poetry, song and story-telling in endangered languages from around the world. Tsou, an indigenous language of Taiwan, has less than 2,000 living speakers but is well-known for its ceremonial choral songs. Baitz (Paicu) Niahosa is one of the few Tsou singers writing new…
Join us this summer at our office in the heart of NYC. The short online application is due on February 26 at 5 pm EST. Apply and help us spread the word! What’s it like to volunteer at ELA? We’re small, friendly, flexible, and driven. We match people with projects based on their skills, interests,…
In January, we opened “Mother Tongues” at the City Lore gallery, the first-ever exhibit dedicated to the languages of New York City. In the same month, PBS premiered the documentary Language Matters with Bob Holman, produced in conjunction with ELA and screened nationwide to critical acclaim. Throughout February and March, ELA presented events featuring Garifuna arumahani, a traditional, now endangered song genre; Yiddish folk music; and the languages of the Caucasus. April marked the beginning of our three-year…