Skip to main content

Multilingualism or assimilation? Three East African teens reflect on language and identity

Enlarge Icon
Slideshow Icon1 of 2Red Debebe (left), Eliham Mohammed (center) and Maymuna Yusuf in the RadioActive Youth Media studio.
Credit: KUOW Photo/Kelsey Kupferer

Language is the foundation of life. All of our actions, perspectives and cultures stem from how we communicate with others.

Our communities are tied to their methods of communication. But what happens when we lose our ability to speak?

In this episode of the RadioActive podcast, Maymuna Yusuf, Red Debebe and Eliham Mohammed reflect on the trials and tribulations of staying connected to their native languages.

[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

PDF Icon

Language and identity podcast transcript

Full podcast transcript in PDF format.

This podcast was produced in a RadioActive Youth Media introductory workshop for high school-age youth. Production assistance by Michelle Aguilar Ramirez. Edited by Lila Lakehart.

Find RadioActive on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook, and on the RadioActive podcast.

Support for KUOW's RadioActive comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center and BECU.

Why you can trust KUOW
Close
On Air Shows

Print

Print

Play Audio
 Live Now On KUOW
KUOW's Soundside
Next: As It Happens from the CBC in 56 mins
On Air Shows

Print

Print

Play Audio
Local Newscast
The Latest
View All
    Play Audio