Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute

For this week’s slang story word we explore the origin and meaning of the word bazar … market! 🛍️

Stay tuned for our next slang term! 😎🤗

Join us this Wednesday for a guest lecture with Chulpan Khismatova, Philologist, Behavioral Researcher, and Ethnic Tatar from Duke University, as she explores Tatar as a living archive of identity, resilience, and cultural memory.

🗓 Wednesday, June 3, 2026
⏰ 2:00 – 3:30 PM
💻 https://asu.zoom.us/j/2928409566

"Të vlerësoj." To appreciate someone in Albanian is to truly see them. This small but profound phrase acknowledges not just what someone does, but who they are. In Albanian culture, expressing gratitude for another's presence is a meaningful act of connection. 🌸✨

Persian left a profound imprint on the languages of Central Asia, and Uzbek and Kazakh are a testament to that legacy. Words like "friend," "marketplace," and "book" traveled the Silk Road alongside merchants and scholars, embedding themselves into daily speech for generations. 🐪🌺📖🛤️

Please join us on May 27th for an interactive session where CLI Curriculum Coordinator Mary Harrah, Director James Edmonds, and CLI Alumni share what it truly takes to thrive in a language immersion program — from building strong study habits to communicating confidently before you feel “ready.” Walk away with practical strategies and realistic expectations! 🌐✨

🌍 🗺️ Today marks the start of CLI 2026! ✈️ 🧳
We are thrilled to welcome all of our talented students and dedicated instructors as they embark on this exciting language learning journey! Wishing everyone an enriching, inspiring, and unforgettable experience ahead! 📚 💪 🥂 🍾 🥂

Going underground in Kyiv means going deep! Arsenalna metro station descends over 100 meters below the surface, making it one of the deepest in the world. Built during the Cold War to double as a bunker, it's a remarkable piece of history hiding in plain sight. 🚇🇺🇦🌍

"Tu sam za tebe." Three simple words that carry the weight of showing up for someone, no matter what. In Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian/Montenegrin cultures, this phrase is a powerful reminder that emotional presence is one of the greatest gifts you can offer. 🌟💛

Astrology, William Blake, and a murder mystery in a snow-covered Polish village. Olga Tokarczuk's Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is unlike anything you've read before. Through the eccentric and unforgettable Janina, Tokarczuk asks big questions about justice, nature, and what it means to be dismissed by the world around you. 📚❄️🐾

Apply here: https://forms.gle/bdkQrdreiQvTd99i9
More info at: https://intelligencecommunity.asu.edu/
Email questions about the program to:
Prof. Erich Schneider, Faculty Director – [email protected]
Jose Moreno, Senior Advisor and Recruiting Coordinator – [email protected]