This month, we are exploring a language known as Tut or Tutnese. It is a unique linguistic system that emerged from enslaved African Americans 250 years ago in the United States. Originally developed as an oral and written code, Tut served as both a means of communication and a secret method of teaching reading and […]
Language of the Month October 2025 – Tut Read More »
Can you finish the incomplete ancient Greek joke? Here’s a challenge for you – in developing the Philogelos exhibit, we found one joke that is incomplete. Read the comic strip below to learn about the beginning of the joke. (Click on the arrow beside the picture to move to the next panel.) Then, tell us
On January 1, 2024, Dr. Patricia Barr-Harrison, a Museum co-founder, passed away. The National Museum of Language started a scholarship fund to honor Dr. Barr-Harrison’s work in promoting language learning. In May 2025, Cindy Moussangui became the first winner of that award. It was presented in Dr. Barr-Harrison’s honor at Laurel High School, MD (Laurel
Interview with Dr. Pat Barr-Harrison Scholarship Awardee Read More »
Bridging Ancient Languages and Art: An Interview with Linda Mitchell Thompson We’re delighted to sit down with Linda Mitchell Thompson, Chief Artist-in-Residence at the National Museum of Language, to explore her inspiring blend of ancient languages and art. Through her skillful combination of classical philology, humor, and vibrant illustration, Linda brings ancient languages like Latin,
Interview with Linda Thompson Read More »
The name ‘Pashto’ is believed to come from ‘parsawā’ Persian language, a reconstructed form of proto-Iranian. The language is estimated to have around 45 – 55 million speakers. It is the language of the Pashtun people and has similarities with the Indo-Aryan language family due to the amount of borrowed words. Pashto is an Indo-European
Language of the Month April 2025 – Pashto Read More »
While students look forward to the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, some teachers are already thinking about the fall semester. If you are an ESL teacher and you find yourself teaching over the summer or getting a head start on the year to come, be sure to check out ProLingua
ProLingua – Resources for ESL Teachers Read More »
This year, one of our very own Trustee Terri Marlow was awarded the James E. Alatis award by JNCL (Joint National Committee for Languages) in recognition for her work with Language Advocacy. The James E. Alatis Founder’s Award was named for the late Dr. James E. Alatis, a founding member of the JNCL-NCLIS, as well
NML Trustee Terri Marlow Wins James E. Alatis Award Read More »
Recently we got another request from a friend who is a translator and speaks a minority language. She reached out because she wants to spread the knowledge of her language: Arbëreshë. Sounds like: ar-be-RESH-eh Arbëreshë, also known as Arbëresht, Arbërishtja, or T’arbrisht, is an indo-european, indigenous language to southern Italy that is used mostly by
Language of the Month March 2025 – Arbëreshë Read More »
Interview with Gregory J. Nedved: Exploring Language in Leadership and Presidential Language Skills In this exclusive interview, Gregory J. Nedved, a highly experienced military linguist, historian, and author, provides in-depth insights into his extensive career in cryptology, national security, and language research. Greg explores the fascinating connections between language in leadership in his book Presidential Foreign
Interview with Gregory J. Nedved Read More »
Sometimes when we do these Languages of the Month, we can trace the language through a long classification. But with Armenian and its two dialects of Eastern and Western Armenian, all that can be said is that it belongs to its own branch within the Indo-European language family. Spoken by the Armenian population which is
Language of the Month February 2025 – Armenian Read More »
