Thank you so much for this podcast. Rough Translation was true to its mission, bringing stories from far off places that hit close to home. As a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States, I saw glimpses of myself in so many of the stories of people negotiating their identities in a variety of "in-between" spaces and identities, while finding myself captivated by the specific stories and experiences of those in your episodes. My wife (who came to the United States from Malaysia), sighed with happy relief listening to the "How to Speak Bad English" episode, feeling vindicated for all her efforts to learn a language bordering on the nonsensical like English, with so many eager to correct her slightest mistakes. When she joined the Army National Guard, I found myself playing your episodes on the Civ/Mil divide repeatedly, pondering the ways in which that juxtaposition plays itself out in our household ongoingly. I had a wonderful exchange with one Rough Translation producer, pitching a mini-series or spin-off on notions of disability worldwide (culture, legislation, innovation, etc.). It did not happen, but I was excited at the possibility and appreciate the willingness to reach out to me to explore possibilities in this area. Thank you for the journeys, the stories, the perspectives, and for never putting your thoughts or opinions in the mouths of others, but for seeking to be a conduit to those stories, perspectives, and lived experiences. For who you are and who we got to be by listening... Thank you.
Thanks for the smiles for all these years, and the photo.
I followed you since you were the East African Correspondent and interacted with the team at Radio Lab. Then the Rough Translation came about and we enjoyed every story.
Not sure why NPR would consider suspending this show, except for the money, and maybe I should have given more money to NPR for the last 25 years, I have been giving since I was 25 because is the most meaningful and educative show and I actually learn more about the world, a place where we are all just humans, part of the environment.
We will follow you and make you as successful as Ira Glass! :)
I am from Mexico and a cultural scientist working at the university of Connecticut. Your show inspired a couple of our studies. We have a paper under review from your episode "Our boxes our selves." And my graduate student is doing her dissertation from your episode "how to speak bad English". I hope one day we can share with you the published papers. We will follow your work wherever you go. Good luck and enjoy your time off!
I wonder if there is a place to buy the Rough Translation theme music (main theme and for Love Commandos)? I would just love to add them to my reading/writing music rotation!
I have to thank you for the incredible show you delivered over the years. I listened to every episode, while out walking, mowing the lawn, just doing chores around the house, and I can't tell you how many times the words "I heard this amazing story on the Rough Translation podcast" came out of my mouth. I'm sure my wife got tired of me saying it, but it was true. Please enjoy this well earned break and I personally can't wait to see what comes next and subscribe to whatever your new show will be at that time.
Thanks for the great stories you and your team created. They helped me navigate my new identity as a US expat. I do agree that NPR made a mistake in stopping Rough Translation. Hopefully this will just be the beginning spark to something greater. In the meantime enjoy your time offline. May the silence bring you closure.
I love Rough translation, Gregory. I will always be thankful to you and your team for letting me see the world through so many interesting angles. My favorite epolisode is Anna in Somalia. I never ever subscribe to anything but I needed to receive your emails. I can't wait to see your next creation. Sending you my best wishes.
What a gorgeous photo. Thank you for the image and for all of it. I not only disagree with NPR's decision to cut Rough Translation, I strongly oppose the reasoning that the only podcasts of value are those that bring in an audience every single week. That's not how I listening (or read...my sabbatical on this substack feed has lasted longer than yours, Gregory). Seasonal podcasts provide the space to dip into a far wider array of programming while granting the listener more control over their feed. The next season of Rough Translation was worth waiting, and I enjoyed such a variety of other seasonal podcasts over the years, too. Now, it's time for me to catch up on Rough Transition--always worth the wait.
Enjoy your month off! You are beyond generous/honest/thoughtful to offer to comp, but I am more than willing to keep giving my small support while you take your well-deserved time off. Thanks for all that you give of yourself
I loved RT. So many of your stories had elements that tickled something deep insight me awake again. A long forgotten feeling or memory from before leaving my home country, from growing up in the east block, and now having multiple identities in my chest. Those stories resonated and were wonderfully soothing/ comforting when I wasn’t even able to find the words of why I felt slightly different and out of place sometimes.
You and your team created amazing storytelling and I’m so grateful that you decided to continue.
And yes, it was a huge mistake of NPR to let go of Rough Translation
Thank you so much for this podcast. Rough Translation was true to its mission, bringing stories from far off places that hit close to home. As a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States, I saw glimpses of myself in so many of the stories of people negotiating their identities in a variety of "in-between" spaces and identities, while finding myself captivated by the specific stories and experiences of those in your episodes. My wife (who came to the United States from Malaysia), sighed with happy relief listening to the "How to Speak Bad English" episode, feeling vindicated for all her efforts to learn a language bordering on the nonsensical like English, with so many eager to correct her slightest mistakes. When she joined the Army National Guard, I found myself playing your episodes on the Civ/Mil divide repeatedly, pondering the ways in which that juxtaposition plays itself out in our household ongoingly. I had a wonderful exchange with one Rough Translation producer, pitching a mini-series or spin-off on notions of disability worldwide (culture, legislation, innovation, etc.). It did not happen, but I was excited at the possibility and appreciate the willingness to reach out to me to explore possibilities in this area. Thank you for the journeys, the stories, the perspectives, and for never putting your thoughts or opinions in the mouths of others, but for seeking to be a conduit to those stories, perspectives, and lived experiences. For who you are and who we got to be by listening... Thank you.
Thanks for the smiles for all these years, and the photo.
I followed you since you were the East African Correspondent and interacted with the team at Radio Lab. Then the Rough Translation came about and we enjoyed every story.
Not sure why NPR would consider suspending this show, except for the money, and maybe I should have given more money to NPR for the last 25 years, I have been giving since I was 25 because is the most meaningful and educative show and I actually learn more about the world, a place where we are all just humans, part of the environment.
We will follow you and make you as successful as Ira Glass! :)
I am from Mexico and a cultural scientist working at the university of Connecticut. Your show inspired a couple of our studies. We have a paper under review from your episode "Our boxes our selves." And my graduate student is doing her dissertation from your episode "how to speak bad English". I hope one day we can share with you the published papers. We will follow your work wherever you go. Good luck and enjoy your time off!
I wonder if there is a place to buy the Rough Translation theme music (main theme and for Love Commandos)? I would just love to add them to my reading/writing music rotation!
I have to thank you for the incredible show you delivered over the years. I listened to every episode, while out walking, mowing the lawn, just doing chores around the house, and I can't tell you how many times the words "I heard this amazing story on the Rough Translation podcast" came out of my mouth. I'm sure my wife got tired of me saying it, but it was true. Please enjoy this well earned break and I personally can't wait to see what comes next and subscribe to whatever your new show will be at that time.
Thanks for the great stories you and your team created. They helped me navigate my new identity as a US expat. I do agree that NPR made a mistake in stopping Rough Translation. Hopefully this will just be the beginning spark to something greater. In the meantime enjoy your time offline. May the silence bring you closure.
I love Rough translation, Gregory. I will always be thankful to you and your team for letting me see the world through so many interesting angles. My favorite epolisode is Anna in Somalia. I never ever subscribe to anything but I needed to receive your emails. I can't wait to see your next creation. Sending you my best wishes.
Claudia
Miss the show!
I'm so sorry, Gregory. Thanks for the amazing photo!
What a gorgeous photo. Thank you for the image and for all of it. I not only disagree with NPR's decision to cut Rough Translation, I strongly oppose the reasoning that the only podcasts of value are those that bring in an audience every single week. That's not how I listening (or read...my sabbatical on this substack feed has lasted longer than yours, Gregory). Seasonal podcasts provide the space to dip into a far wider array of programming while granting the listener more control over their feed. The next season of Rough Translation was worth waiting, and I enjoyed such a variety of other seasonal podcasts over the years, too. Now, it's time for me to catch up on Rough Transition--always worth the wait.
I just finished Love Commandos!! Will miss your new stories, Rough Translation was the best! 😢 At least I still have some back catalog! ❤️
It was a huge mistake to let go of the show, but I look forward to what you do next. For now, rest.
Enjoy your month off! You are beyond generous/honest/thoughtful to offer to comp, but I am more than willing to keep giving my small support while you take your well-deserved time off. Thanks for all that you give of yourself
so gutted they ended the show, Gregory; you and the team did fantastic work.
I loved RT. So many of your stories had elements that tickled something deep insight me awake again. A long forgotten feeling or memory from before leaving my home country, from growing up in the east block, and now having multiple identities in my chest. Those stories resonated and were wonderfully soothing/ comforting when I wasn’t even able to find the words of why I felt slightly different and out of place sometimes.
You and your team created amazing storytelling and I’m so grateful that you decided to continue.
Enjoy your well deserved time off!