Armenian with Asya: Because surviving family khorovats requires very aggressive language skills.

Find out more about Asya

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I'm so fortunate to be able to speak Armenian fluently. This language is deeply ingrained in my roots, having been born and raised in Armenia for nearly 19 years. Armenian is truly unique, with its place in the Indo-European language tree. One of the fascinating aspects of Armenian is its use of noun declensions, which allows us to change the form of nouns to indicate possession or reference. This flexibility gives us the freedom to rearrange our sentences while still conveying the same meaning, allowing for beautiful and poetic expression of our thoughts. I've had the incredible opportunity to share this language with people from all walks of life, and it has been a truly rewarding experience.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  I've always been fascinated by the captivating story of Lord Byron. In the early 1800s, this renowned British Romantic poet embarked on a remarkable journey to the island of San Lazzarro degli Armeni in Venice. There, he immersed himself in the study of the Armenian language alongside the Mekhitarist monks. Lord Byron was not content with merely learning Classical Armenian (Գրաբար); he also delved into modern Western Armenian. His passion for the language led him to translate works from Classical Armenian into English and even contribute to the publication of an Armenian-English dictionary. Through his heartfelt letters describing his time on the island, it became clear that he was deeply enamored with the beauty of Armenian language and culture.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  Remember this: "Tsavd tanem" means taking away your pain or let me take your pain away. It's often used when someone is dear to you and caring, or wants to show kindness, even if they're a stranger. I absolutely love it!

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  This language is an integral part of my identity, handed down by countless generations of my ancestors over hundreds of years.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Although grammar the cases are quite challenging, if you fully immerse yourself in them, you'll definitely overcome any difficulty.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Language is the key to unlocking a culture's secrets. When you understand the culture, you'll be fluent in its language.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Learning a new language has been such an eye-opening experience for me. It's totally fine to feel lost while riding the tram in Germany, even after studying the language. I'm currently delving into the fascinating worlds of German and Mandarin, and I have to say, it's quite the adventure! Getting to grips with a new language means immersing yourself in a whole new culture. It's all part of the journey, and it's completely normal not to understand everything right away. Learning takes time, and that's just part of the fun!.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I don't just teach the language; I make sure to connect the language to my students in interesting ways, whether it's through a well-known ice cream brand or by counting the seeds of noors.