Mother Tongue with Sirine

Latest Episodes:

Mother Tongue: Arabic Aug 02, 2019

Learn Arabic in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Marhaba! That means hello in Arabic. In this episode, join our host Sirine - who was born in Lebanon - as she shares some words, songs and traditions from her language and culture.

Here are the Arabic words you'll learn in this episode:

Marhaba - Hello
Darbuka - Lebanese Drum
Arzeh -Cedar Tree
Sissan - Baby chickens
Manoosh - a Lebanese food, usually eaten at breakfast
Maa Salemeh - Bye

SONG:

Ha Sissan, <click, click>
Shu helween <click, click>
Aambi dooroh hawla emmon mabsooteen <click, click>
Shirboh may <click, click>
Alu khay <click, click>
Rafa’u rahson hamadu rabbon, mabsooteen

Translation:

These chicks...
How beautiful they are
They are walking around their mother happily
They drank water
and said Wow Yum Yum
They raised their heads and thanked their mother happily.

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Mother Tongue: Spanish Aug 01, 2019

Learn Spanish in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Hola! That means hello in Spanish. In this episode, Sirine is joined by Lorena whose parents come from Argentina. She grew up speaking both the Spanish and English languages. Find out more about her culture including what her favourite Argentinian snack is.

Here are the Spanish words you'll learn in this episode:

Hola - Hello
Bandoneon - an Argentinian instrument, like an accordion.
Sol Deh Mayo - The Sun of May (which you see on the Argentinian flag)
Medialuna -An Argentinian snack, kind of like a croissant.
Que Rico- Yummy
Ciao - Bye

SONG:

Arroz con leche,
Me quiero casar
con una señorita de San Nicolás,
que sepa bordar,
que sepa tejer,
que sepa abrir la puerta par ir a jugar.

Con ésta sí
con ésta no,
con esta señorita me caso yo.

Yo soy la vuidita,
Del barrio del Rey
Me Quiero casar
Y no se con quien

Con este si
Con este no
Con este senorito me caso yo.

English translation:

Rice Pudding,
I want to marry,
A lady from San Nicholas,
Who knows how to embroider
Who knows how to knit
Who knows how to open the door to go play

With this girl yes,
With this girl no,
With this little girl I'll be wed.

I am a little widow
From the Kings land,
I want to marry
But I don’t know with whom

With this boy yes,
With this boy no,
With this little boy I'll be wed.

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Mother Tongue: Cantonese Aug 02, 2019

Learn Cantonese in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Nei hou means hello in Cantonese. In this episode Sirine is joined by Angel who grew up in Hong Kong. She shares a fun song and talks about a very yummy snack! Ho mei!

Here are the Cantonese words you'll learn in this episode:

Lei Ho 你好 - Hello
Yi Wu二胡 - A string instrument also known as a Chinese Violin
Gung Fu功夫 - Kung Fu (a form of Martial Arts)
Gao Zi 餃子- Chinese dumplings of various types
Ho Mei 好味 - Very good (and you say it when you eat something yummy)
Joi Gin 再見 - See you again (Bye)

SONG:

Yao-Zak-Che-Chay-Dee-Lokshui
Dee-Lokshui
Dee-Lokshui
Yao-Zak-Che-Chay-Dee-Lokshui
Bai shui ching ho

Yao-Zak-Che-Chay-Dee-Lokshui
Dee-Lokshui

Dee-Lokshui
Yao-Zak-Che-Chay-Dee-Lokshui
Bai shui ching ho

Translation:

Yao-Zak-Che-Chay-Dee-Lokshui means A Bird Falling Into Water.

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Mother Tongue: Hindi Aug 02, 2019

Learn Hindi in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Namaste means hello in Hindi. Join Sirine as she chats to her friend Sidd whose family comes from India. He tells her all about his language and culture, including the magical-sounding sitar and a colourful festival called Holi.

Here are the Hindi words you'll learn in this episode:

Namaste - Hello
Sitar - A traditional Indian instrument, like a guitar
Holi - Indian festival of colour
Akkad Bakkad Bambe Bo - A popular counting song in Hindi
Samosa - A yummy Indian snack
Va -Wow (and you say it when you eat something yummy)
Alvida- Goodbye

SONG:

Akar bakar bambay bo
Asi nabay pooray sao
Sao mein lagga dhaga
Chor nikal ke bhaga.

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Mother Tongue: Tagalog Aug 02, 2019

Learn Tagalog in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Kamusta! That means hello in Tagalog, the main language spoken in the Phillipines. In this episode, Sirine’s guest is Jasmina whose parents are from the Philippines and she shares special parts of her culture including a lovely song.

Here are the Tagalog words you'll learn in this episode:

Kamusta - Hello
Agung - A traditional Philippine drum
Bahay Kubo - Cubed house
Suman - A yummy snack from the Philippines.
Masarap - Yummy!
Paalam- Goodbye

SONG:

Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon, ay sari sari
Sinkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.

Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.

English translation:

Nipa hut, even though it's small,
The plants that grow around it are varied:
Turnip & eggplant, winged bean & peanut,
String bean, hyacinth bean, lima bean.

Wax gourd, sponge gourd, white squash & pumpkin,
And there's also radish, mustard,
Onion, tomato, garlic & ginger
And all around are sesame seeds.

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Mother Tongue: Koori Aug 02, 2019

Learn Koori in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Bujari gamarruwameans g’day in Koori! That’s one of the many, many Aboriginal languages spoken in Australia. In this episode, Nathan joins Sirine to share the Koori culture, including the sound of the bullroaraand the meaning of the Aboriginal flag.

Here are the Koori words you'll learn in this episode:

Bijari Gamaroowa - G’Day
Bullroara - A traditional Aboriginal instrument
Barralala - A traditional song from the Eora Nation which means Song of Sydney
Pipis - A yummy seafood snack
Nayi Ngyini Minga - See You all (how to say goodbye in Eora)
Yaki in Goori - See you when I’m looking at you

SONG:

Parabulā Paramā Manginiwā Yenbōngi
Parabulā Paramā Manginiwā Yenbōngi
Parabulā Paramā Manginiwā Yenbōngi

Parabulā Paramā Beriang galangdā
Toindinmā Manginiwā Yenbōngi

Did you know: Barralala is known as the Song of Sydney – the Eora nation. This was the first Aboriginal song ever to be heard outside Australia, and it introduced Sydney to the world!

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Mother Tongue: Greek Aug 02, 2019

Learn Greek in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Yiasou means hello in Greek. In this episode, Sirine is joined by Anthea who shares her language and culture, telling us what the Greek flag means and sharing a story about her grandparents.

Here are the Greek words you'll learn in this episode:

Yiasou - Hello
Bouzouki - A traditional Greek instrument like a guitar
YiaYia and Pappous - Grandma and Grandpa
Kipouriki - Gardening
Palamakia Peksete - Clap your hands
Koularakia -A traditional Greek biscuit eaten at Easter time
Anthio - Bye

SONG:

Sing along in Greek:

Palamakia peksete
Ke o babas too erhete
Ke too ferni katiti
Kooloorakia sto kharti

Palamakia peksete
Ke i manoola erhete
Na to parei agalia
To mikrooli tis pedhia

Palamakia, palamakia
Pezoon ola ta pedhakia
Palamakia ke khoro
dakh dirdi
ke dakh dirdo

English translation:

Clap your hands
His dad is coming
To bring him something,
Cookies in a paper.
Clap your hands
Mommy is coming
To take her little one
On her lap, children.
Clap, clap
All the children clap
Clapping and dancing
Dah dirdi and
Dah dirdo*.

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Mother Tongue: Vietnamese Aug 02, 2019

Learn Vietnamese in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Xin Chao means hello in Vietnamese. Sirine is joined by Nally whose parents are from Vietnam. The Vietnamese language has some special tones that give words different meanings and Nally shares other special parts of her culture including her favourite Vietnamese snack.

Here are the Vietnamese words you'll learn in this episode:

Xin Chao- Hello
Sao - A Vietnamese bamboo flute
Ao Dai - A traditional Vietnamese gown
Kìa Con Buom Vang - There Is Yellow Butterfly (the name of a popular Vietnamese song)
Nem Nuong -A Vietnamese snack (a type of grilled sausage on a stick)
Ngon Moo - Yummy
Chao - Bye

SONG:

Kìa con bướm vàng
Kìa con bướm vàng
Xòe đôi cánh
Xòe đôi cánh
Tung cánh bay năm ba vòng
Tung cánh bay năm ba vòng.
Em ngồi xem
Em ngồi xem.

English translation:

There, yellow butterfly,
There, yellow butterfly
Spreads its wings
Spreads its wings,
Takes its flight
Takes its flight,
We sit and watch
We sit and watch.

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Mother Tongue: Italian Aug 02, 2019

Learn Italian in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Ciao means hello in Italian. Sirine’s guest is Mary who talks about language and culture including her favourite gelato flavour and a fun Italian card game.

Here are the Italian words you'll learn in this episode:

Ciao - Hello
Pianoforte - Piano
Scopa - Broom or Sweep (the name of an Italian card game, like Snap)
Mortatella Panini - A tasty Italian snack
Buono - Yummy
Arivederci - Goodbye

SONG:

Battiamo le manine
che adesso arriva papa'
gli porta I chocolatini
E Mary gli magera'

English translation:

Clap your hands
Daddy's coming home soon
He's bringing cholocate
(Say baby’s name) is going to eat it.

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Mother Tongue: Samoan Aug 02, 2019

Learn Samoan in our kids podcast Mother Tongue!

Talofa! This means hello in the Samoan language. In this episode, Sirine is joined by Milo who grew up in Samoa. He shares special parts of his culture like playing the pate and singing a beautiful song in his mother tongue.

Here are the Samoan words you'll learn in this episode:

Talofa - Hello
Pate - A traditional Samoan instrument
Lava Lava - A traditional Samoan skirt
Laumei Faiaga - Gentle Turtle (name of a popular Samoan song)
Talo - A popular Samoan vegetable, like a potato
Manaia- Delicious
Tofa - Goodbye

SONG:

Laumei faiaga, faasusu si au tama
Aumai le moega'afa- fa'i mai, fa'i mai
Se lauti o laulelei, e lavalava le laumei
Fonuea, Fonuea, laulau mai se manamea
Po 'e sai i luga nei
O sa Letuli i luga nei
A ua'ina, a la'ina
A solo e mata'ina
Lou galu tu'u la le i'a
Lalelei, lalelei, lalelei!

English translation:

Gentle turtle, milk your baby
Bring the bed, pluck, pluck
Tea leaves, to dress the turtle,
Fonuea, Fonuea, show us your sweetheart
Who's calling?
It's Letuli's people.
In rain or sunshine
Let us see you
Gaze at the fish
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

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Mother Tongue with Sirine: Trailer Jul 12, 2019

Ciao, talofa, hello! Welcome to Mother Tongue - a children’s podcast celebrating the many wonderful languages spoken by families right across Australia!

Learn to say hello in Cantonese, goodbye in Koori, sing a song in Greek, or learn all about the Lebanese flag.

Mother Tongue host, Sirine says; “The idea for this show came from my experience with my daughter; the songs my mother sang to me as a child stayed with me and I sang them to her when she was born. Elyssa is now 4 years old, and still loves these songs – she’ll never forget where they came from and we should never lose this connection with our language of origin.”

Sharing language and culture brings kids closer together and sparks curiosity about the world so be sure to subscribe now!

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