Orientalistics: Podcast on Language, Religion and Culture

Judeo-Presian & Early New Persian | فارسیهود در آیینه ی تاریخ‎ آیا می‌دانید نخستین نامه‌ی برجای‌مانده به زبان پارسی نو را يک یهودی نوشته است؟ به بيان دیگر، هر هر پژوهشگر ایران‌شناس اگر بخواهد کاوشی در زبان پارسی نو بکند، نباید این نامه را نادیده بگیرد. منظور از پارسی نو، زبانی است که از پارسی میانه و پارسی باستان جداست. بدون اینکه بتوان به‌روشنی زمانی دقیق برای این دگرگونی‌ها برگزید، باید به‌گ...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part V: Identity & Sociolinguistics Summary In this episode, I explore the deep connection between language and identity, ‎examining how our linguistic habits shape how others perceive us. We delve into the ‎idea of heritage languages, native speaker myths, and how education influences our ‎linguistic development and identity. Drawing on historical and cultural per...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part IV: Identity, Language and Culture Summary In this episode, we dive into the relationship between identity, language, and culture, ‎exploring how language shapes and constructs our understanding of the world rather ‎than merely reflecting it. Drawing on thinkers like Wittgenstein, Derrida, etc, we unpack ‎the idea that identity is a discursive construct, brought i...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part III: Identity and Language 2: The Quest of ‘Self’ Summary In this episode, I explore the concept of the self and how it has evolved across cultures ‎and philosophies. Drawing from the framework proposed by psychologist Ulrich Neisser, ‎I break down the term ' self ' into five categories: Ecological, Interpersonal, Remembered, ‎Private, and Conceptual. I also touch...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part III: Identity and Language Summary In this episode, I explore the complex relationship between language and identity, ‎diving into how we express who we are and how language shapes that expression. From ‎the personal question of *Who am I?* to the broader social forces that mold our ‎identities, we touch on everything from cultural diversity in America to the impa...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part II: Identity and Race Summary In this episode, I explore how Enlightenment ideas of natural law and human progress ‎evolved into dangerous ideologies in the 19th and early 20th centuries. We trace the shift ‎from rationalism to Romantic nationalism, particularly in Germany, where thinkers like ‎Herder and Fichte laid the groundwork for racial and national ideologi...

Identity in Times of Crisis, Part I: Beyond the Melting Pot Summary:‎ In this episode, we explore the evolving concept of cultural identity in times of crisis. As individuals and ‎communities across the globe—from Native Americans to Middle Eastern migrants—reconnect with ‎their linguistic, cultural, and religious roots, the process of self-identification has taken on new ‎importance. We dive into...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XIV: Zaza | Zazaki or Dimlī Summary In this episode, we explore the linguistic position and historical evolution of Dimlī (also known as ‎Zaza), a language from the Northwest Iranian group. Dimlī is part of a larger set of Caspian ‎dialects, including Ṭālešī, Gūrānī, Gīlakī, and Māzandarānī, which share numerous isoglosses—‎common linguistic features—across pho...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XIII: Ossetian | ИРОН ӔВЗАГ This episode is a special tribute to my late professor and mentor, Professor Dr. Roland Bielmeier (1943-2013) Summary In this comprehensive episode, we journey through the rich tapestry of Ossetic cultural history, ‎literature, and language. Starting with the linguistic isolation of Ossetic from its Central Asian ‎relatives, we explo...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XII: LORI | LURI‎‏ لُری ‏ In this episode, I dive into the fascinating world of the Lori language, spoken by ‎about five million people along the Zagros mountain range. We explore the linguistic ‎bridge Lori forms between Kurdish and Persian, and touch on the dialect split ‎between Northern and Southern Lori, marked by the Āb-e Dez River . I also discuss ‎why L...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part XI: BALUCHI ‎| BALOCHI Summary In this episode, we delved into the captivating world of the Balochi language, exploring its ‎phonology, grammar, and syntax. We examined how Balochi differentiates itself and connects ‎with other Iranian languages like Parthian and Middle Persian. We discussed its unique syntax ‎features, including its word order and how neighbor...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part X: KHWAREZMIAN ‎ Summary In this episode, I journey into the intriguing world of Khwarezmian | Chorasmian , a Middle Iranian ‎language that reveals a rich linguistic and historical background. Despite Khwarezmian being a ‎dormant language with limited exploration, its historical and linguistic significance is noteworthy. ‎We address the challenges in transcribi...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part IX: KURDISH Summary In this episode, I explored the rich tapestry of Kurdish languages and their historical evolution. I ‎delved into how Kurdish literary expression was once predominantly poetic, reflecting a broader ‎trend among Iranian languages, such as Pashto and various Iranian dialects. As we moved into the ‎‎20th century, a more diverse range of Kurdish...

Summary In this episode, I explored the rich history and linguistic features of the Sogdian language, a key ‎player in the cultural tapestry of the ancient Silk Roads. I delved into the unique aspects of ‎Sogdian script, including its evolution and adaptation into other languages like Uighur, ‎Mongolian, and Manchu. ‎ I also discussed the complexities of Sogdian phonology, the influence of the rhy...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part VII: Pashto ‎ Summary In this episode, we delve into Pashto, an Iranic language spoken across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and ‎parts of Iran. We explore its significance, dialectal variations, and its deep connection with ‎Pashtun identity. By examining the historical roots and the spread of the language, we uncover ‎how Pashto has shaped and been shaped by the cult...

Antisemitism, Part VIII: The Myth of Anti-Zionism ‎ In this final episode of our series, I explore the intricate relationships between ‎antisemitism and anti-Zionism, tracing their historical and ideological evolution. I ‎delve into how anti-Zionism has transformed from a critique of Israeli policies into a ‎broader ideological weapon often used to perpetuate antisemitic views. We cover the ‎conce...

Antisemitism, Part VII: The New Fissionable Old ‎ In this episode, we delve into the complex and nuanced world of antisemitism and ‎its various dimensions. We explore how current opposition to Zionism often stems ‎not from an understanding of what Zionism truly represents but from accusations ‎and misrepresentations. We discuss how historical and political contexts, such as the ‎influence of Sovie...

Antisemitism VI: Modern Arab Antisemitism and Its Islamo-Iranian Roots In this episode, we explored the evolution of antisemitism from its historical roots to ‎its modern manifestations. We discussed how the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and ‎subsequent geopolitical shifts have shaped antisemitic narratives in the Middle East, ‎highlighting Iran's influence in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. We...

Antisemitism, Part V: Jews of Islam: Dhimmis Summary:‎ In this episode, I explored the intricate history of Jews living in lands dominated by ‎Islam. Beginning with the support of Nazi ideology by the grand mufti of Jerusalem ‎in the early 20th century, I examined how this alignment led to a toxic blend of ‎antisemitism fueled by both Nazi propaganda and radical Islamic interpretations. We ‎delved...

Antisemitism: Part IV: Arab Antisemitism vs. Christia n Antisemitism: Intro Summary:‎ In today's episode, we explored the relationship between Jews and Muslims ‎throughout history, particularly under traditional Islamic rule. We discussed how ‎Jews, while being second-class citizens, were granted certain rights and protections ‎that allowed them to coexist with their Muslim neighbors. We also touc...

Antisemitism, Part III: Roots and Evolution Summary:‎ In this episode, we explore the complex evolution of anti-Zionism within the ‎Western left, tracing its origins from the radical movements of the 1960s to its ‎current manifestations. We examine how anti-Zionist rhetoric, once rooted in ‎Marxist ideology and a pro-Jewish stance, has shifted towards a more virulent form ‎that often blurs the lin...

Antisemitism: Part II: Cultural and Social Dimensions Summary:‎ In this episode, we explored the complex relationship between antisemitic thought ‎and action, challenging the notion that antisemitic beliefs inevitably lead to hostile ‎behavior. Through historical examples, we examined how figures like Adolf ‎Eichmann and Adolf Hitler were driven by different motivations—whether personal ‎ambition...

Antisemitism: Part I: An Introduction ‎ In this episode, we delved into the nuanced and often paradoxical role of ‎antisemitism throughout history. We examined the interplay between personal ‎responsibility and broader historical forces, highlighting the challenges historians ‎face when reconciling moral judgments with objective analysis. We discussed key ‎figures like Hitler and Eichmann, and the...

Atheism, Part VII: No God, What Now? The Final Reckoning As we reflect on atheism, several key insights emerge when we trace its history. First, atheism's roots are deeply entwined with the rise of rationalism, beginning in Ancient Greece and finding momentum in the Enlightenment. This progression is part of humanity's broader journey, where superstition gradually gives way to rational und...

Atheism, Part VI: Raison d'être Summary In today's episode, we explored the idea that life can be profoundly meaningful, even ‎without belief in an afterlife or a higher power. We discussed how pleasure, while ‎enjoyable, isn't the sole key to a fulfilling life. Instead, meaning comes from how we ‎live, how we engage with the world, and how we find purpose in the everyday ‎moments of o...