Belonging Bites: Languages

Episode Overview: In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, co-hosts Megan Norton-Newbanks and Doreen Cumberford dive into the nuanced relationship between language and belonging. Drawing from their own global upbringings and experiences living in multiple countries, the hosts unpack how language—including dialects, family language mashups, and community-specific lingo—shapes our sense of home and connection.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Mother Tongues & Dialects:
  Doreen Cumberford reflects on the comforting remnants of the Scots dialect from her childhood in Scotland, while Megan Norton-Newbanks shares how her family’s unique blend of host languages creates a personal sense of home.
• Code-Switching, Acronyms & Systems:
  Megan Norton-Newbanks talks about adapting to the language systems of international schools and the Foreign Service, while Doreen Cumberford reminisces about mixing English and Arabic terms from her time in the Middle East.
• Language as Bridge & Barrier:
  The hosts discuss how English fluency both enables connection and, at times, hinders deeper integration with host cultures.
• Cultural Norms of Communication:
  Nuances in tone, pacing, and direct vs. indirect speech are highlighted as important for belonging—plus, the role of non-verbal language.
• Untranslatable Words:
  Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks muse on favorite words from other languages (like the Japanese "Kamaribi") that capture feelings or phenomena English can’t.
• The Emotional Impact of Language:
  Both hosts share stories of nostalgia, joy, and the complexity of reconnecting with community languages from their past.

Listener Invitation: The episode closes with a warm call for listeners to share untranslatable words, stories, or reflections about how language shapes their sense of belonging.

Languages Mentioned:

• Scots dialect
• English (multiple versions!)
• Arabic
• Japanese
• Spanish
• French
• Hungarian

Quotable Moments:

• “It’s almost like we’re carrying the place and the people with us, isn’t it?” 
• “…language shapes belonging and not through just national or local tongues, but also through idioms and community specific ways of speaking.” –

How to Connect: Do you have a story or an untranslatable word to share? The hosts would love to hear from you!

Thank you for tuning in to Nomadic Diaries: Belonging-Bites3-Languages! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and join the journey of exploring belonging across borders and languages.