Stories about Language
From silence to symbols: How Thais are employing language in new ways towards freedom of expression
"Thai netizens have turned to unique linguistic alternatives to continue freely expressing themselves online."
Jamaica-born Jason Allen-Paisant is the latest Caribbean poet to win the esteemed T.S. Eliot Prize
"A historic night for Caribbean poetry": His win makes it the third time in five years that a poet with Caribbean roots has won the prestigious prize.
The Socotri language straddling survival amidst the absence of technology
Socotra has long weathered the tides of isolation amid Yemen's shifting regimes. Marginalization has obscured its cultural identity and hindered linguistic progress. Today, Socotris grapple with sudden technological openness.
Moldova chose finalists of the national selection for the Eurovision 2024
Among them, there are nine women and only two men, two songs called "Fever," and 10 out of 11 compositions are in English.
Establishing Nepal in the international literature scene: An interview with translator Jayant Sharma
Global Voices interviewed Nepali writer, editor, and literary translator Jayant Sharma, who is a staunch advocate for the global recognition of Nepali literature.
What did Central Asian presidents talk about in their New Year's addresses?
These New Year's addresses provided a glimpse into Central Asian governments' perspectives on their countries' achievements and challenges.
‘Matilda': Australian word of the year following magnificent 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
Some fans made the ultimate sacrifice to attend the quarter final game against France: 'I gave up Taylor Swift tickets for the Matildas'
Russian musicians sing about war resistance — few people take them seriously
Through the musical project “We Exist” that premieres on December 12, anti-war artists oppose the narrative of Russian war resistance as a marginal point of view.
How Caribbean ‘Black Cake’ can help the region transcend its traumatic past
"Black Cake" (the book and series) naturally brings to mind the Caribbean Christmas dessert, but the linkages the delicacy shares with the literacies of enslaved Africans are often obscured.
Battle of survival and expression in Jerusalem's Armenian Community
The Armenian community in Jerusalem, rooted in the fourth century, faces a dire battle for survival, grappling with challenges that threaten not only their freedom of expression but their very existence.
Museum of Russian anti-war street art opens online
Russian anthropologist Alexandra Arkhipova and her colleagues have been collecting examples of anti-war street-art — stickers, graffiti, leaflets, and complex installations — for 1.5 years, from 48 Russian cities.
Exiled Iranian crown prince awarded US LGBTQ+ award for speaking up for Iran's queer community
The Iranian LGBTQ+ community is kept invisible by the Iranian opposition, but a US LGBTQ+ award to exile Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi seems to signify changes in attitudes.
Tatar language activist who identifies as queer: ‘Under the influence of the modern Russian state, Central Asian politicians are trying to implement similar anti-gay policies’
Interview with Tatar queer language activist Marsel Ganeyev, whose aim is to „help minorities reconnect to their roots or overcome the emotional trauma"
Undoing colonialism in gender diversity discourse in the Philippines
Colonized by Spain, the US, and Japan, the Philippines has a long history of discourses imposed on its own traditions, including the ones related to gender identity and fluidity.
In Gabon, music is a tool for visibility both inside and outside the country
In Gabon, music has the power to fuse tradition and modernity, and use globalization to its advantage.
At a crucial time for global crises, X (formerly Twitter) dilutes its violent speech policy
X has softened its violent speech policy significantly, decreasing both the scope of its provision on violent speech as well as the consequences imposed when such speech is detected.
Casual racism in Russia's everyday life: ‘Even though you are Buryat, you are still one of us’
Hurtful stereotypes can create actual barriers between people, fuel division and animosity. Stereotypes about an ethnic minority living in Russia, Buryats, are a vivid example of these negative social processes
Yelena Trifonova: ‘In Siberia, calling someone “Muscovite” is almost an insult’
"Independent journalism will persist as long as there's a demand for it in Russia. We cannot abandon people; because it’s the same as abandoning hostages," says the editor of Baikal People.
Translation as a voyage of discovery in the literal sense: Story of an adventure in Tibetan lands
How to translate into French a Tibetan author who writes in Chinese about profoundly Tibetan realities? A Global Voices interview with the project participants.
Anti-war activist punk musician from Yakutia detained in Kazakhstan
The poet, activist and leader of the Yakut punk band Crispy Newspaper Aikhal Ammosov regularly took to the streets with pickets and performances, painted graffiti and tried to hang anti-war banners in Russia.
Yiddish: A language to celebrate also for its hilarious curses
Global Voices spoke to Matthew Katzman, author of "Oy Vey! Yiddish Slang 101," a satirical dictionary that weaves personal family stories with Yiddish expressions to understand the evolution of the language.