Arming our food and culture podcast in Pittsburgh provided me with a real awareness of just how much language is tied into identity. When we interviewed the proprietor of the Polish restaurant, she boasted about her family recipes and had a tendency to mix English and Polish words together. It made me hyper-sensitive to how language can get caught up in history and feeling. Speaking with Saurin for our second episode about coffee showed me this same thing too—how simple, plain language is employed in establishing a sense of belonging and of community.
These interviews also caused me to reflect on how frequently individuals misjudge cultures. Individuals believe that Polish cuisine is merely “heavier” or “outdated,” but the manner in which she described modifying recipes from generations past completely changed my perspective. I recall the manner in which individuals make assumptions concerning my own culture as well, particularly through language. I discovered that words can either build bridges or walls, depending on their usage.
I was nervous at first about saying something incorrect in interviews, but learning Cultural Humility with Dr. Vivian Chavez made me feel at ease and allowed me to listen more openly. Instead of trying to be perfect, I focused on curiosity and respect. This shifted added so much richness to our conversations. I realized that culture cannot be taught as facts. it’s empathy and willingness to learn in perpetuity.