E16 Language Legacy | We Came With No English: A 1950 Immigration Story

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Welcome to Episode 2 of the Language Legacy Project Series, a 5-part community storytelling initiative capturing the powerful conversations between youth from Alabama and elders from immigrant and refugee communities.

In this second episode, Alex D., a young interviewer sits down with Jack Schniper, an elder whose journey began thousands of miles away, arriving in the United States in the 1950s without speaking English, navigating cultural differences in the Deep South, and slowly building a new definition of home.

What unfolds is more than a migration story. It’s a reflection on courage, identity, language loss and preservation, and the quiet sacrifices that shape future generations.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What it was like arriving in America with no English and how language barriers shaped everyday survival
• The emotional impact of feeling "different" while growing up in Alabama
• How cultural traditions were protected inside the home while adapting to life outside it
• The unseen trade-offs immigrant parents make to expand opportunity for their children
• Why asking elders intentional questions can uncover stories that might otherwise disappear
• How young interviewers are learning to see language as legacy, not limitation

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About the Language Legacy Community Project:

Language Legacy is a youth-and-elders interview series designed to preserve linguistic and cultural heritage through storytelling. Alabama teenagers interview elders from immigrant and refugee backgrounds to capture their language memories, idioms, childhood stories, and first-language expressions. These conversations are then shaped into short video stories and shared online to deepen intergenerational understanding and strengthen community connection.

If you’re inspired by stories of culture, identity, migration, and language, this episode is the perfect place to begin.

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ORGANIZATIONS mentioned:
- Alabama Holocaust Education Center: ahecinfo.org

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ABOUT THE PODCAST
Thoughtful conversations exploring cultures, languages, and connection. From Where to Here is hosted by Alexandra Lloyd and shares real stories that bridge cultural gaps and spark understanding.

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🔗 EXPLORE free resources & guides:
Visit my website for free resources that help turn curiosity about language and culture into real connection.
👉 https://fromwheretoherepod.com/5phrases

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