Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute

Macedonian and Polish are separated by distance but united by their deep Slavic roots. Words for "book," "brother," and "mother" have survived centuries of regional change, reminding us that shared linguistic heritage can outlast borders and time. 📚🌿💛🤝

Love, revolution, and survival. Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago is one of the greatest novels ever written, a sweeping portrait of a man trying to hold onto beauty and meaning while history tears the world apart around him. If you haven't read it, now is the time. 🌹📚❄️

For this week’s slang story word we look behind the origin and meaning of the word майдан (maidan) … public square! 🏛️

Stay tuned for our next slang term! 😎🤗

📣 Reminder: Register Now, The Polyglot Games Are Next Week!

Led by QuizBowl Nationals competitor Jaik Havlick, this fast-paced competition will challenge your knowledge of literature, science, history, fine arts, social sciences, and more—all with a focus on Eurasia.

Don't miss your chance to compete, learn, and have fun. Register today to secure your spot! 🎉

Lots of fun and exciting things coming up this week! 🎉 Check out the agenda and get ready. it's going to be a great one!

Long before the internet connected the world, there was the Silk Road, and Uzbekistan was right at the heart of it. Samarkand and Bukhara weren't just trading posts; they were thriving centers of science, art, and Islamic thought that shaped civilization for centuries. 🕌✨🗺️

"به تو افتخار می‌کنم" In Persian culture, this phrase goes beyond a simple compliment; it honors someone's effort, growth, and journey. Recognizing the people around us is a cornerstone of persian values of care and community. 🌹💫

10,000 years of human history, from the first farmers to the Mongol Empire. Barry Cuncliffe's By Steppe, Desert, and Ocean is the ultimate big-picture read for anyone curious about how our interconnected world came to be. Eurasia has never looked so fascinating. 🌍📖✨

Looking for a mid-week creative break? ✒️✨ Join us for Ink and Chill as we explore cultural writing traditions and get some hands-on practice with different scripts. Bring your paper, your favorite pens, and your curiosity.

Turkish and Tatar share a common Turkic origin, and the evidence is right there in everyday words. From "mother" to "star" to "water," these languages carry the same ancient vocabulary across vast geography, with only subtle phonetic shifts to tell the story of how they grew apart. 🌟💧🌙🕌