top of page
All Posts


Taking Croatian and Modern Greek Language Lessons: a Perspective of a Heritage Speaker in America
Ellie Falaris Ganelin shares her story about how she studied her heritage languages by taking Croatian and Modern Greek language lessons as an adult. Improving her heritage language skills has helped her improve her career as a Balkan musician, be able to pass on her heritage cultures to her children better, and to have a stronger connection to her cultures herself.

Ellie Falaris Ganelin
Oct 233 min read


Gagauz: A Turkic Language in a Balkan Matrix
Understanding the history of the Greek language is important for anyone who is learning Modern Greek. The Greek language used to be divided between a “pure” ancient form (Katharevousa) and the spoken vernacular (Demotic), Greece resolved its diglossia in 1976, adopting Modern Greek. Today, learners of Modern Greek explore not only grammar and vocabulary but also a living history that connects ancient roots with modern expression.
Elena Moroz
Oct 224 min read


The Greek Language Question: Understanding the History of Greek for Modern Greek Language Learners
The Greek language’s evolution from Katharevousa to Demotic tells a story of identity and change. Once divided between a “pure” ancient form and the spoken vernacular, Greece resolved its diglossia in 1976, adopting Modern Greek. Today, students taking Modren Greek language classes explore not only grammar and vocabulary but also a living history that connects ancient roots with modern expression.

Maria
Oct 213 min read


What makes a language endangered?
When I talk to people about working to support the revitalization of endangered languages, I oft en get the question "What exactly does...

Defne Kartal
Oct 84 min read


The Science Behind Why Now Matters: Understanding the Critical Period for Your Child's Turkish Language Development
This blog explores the Critical Period Hypothesis and why early childhood is the optimal window for Turkish language development. Aimed at Turkish families in the Bay Area, it explains how neuroscience shows children absorb languages most naturally before puberty, why heritage languages like Turkish risk attrition without structured support, and how formal classes help build academic language skills, cultural connection, and cognitive advantages. It emphasizes the urgency of

Ali Yağız Şen
Sep 244 min read


The Tahtacı People of Turkey: Preserving Tradition & Supporting a Unique Minority Community
At our cooperative, we are dedicated not only to preserving and promoting less commonly taught languages but also to honoring the...
Elena Moroz
Aug 294 min read


Zazaki
Zazaki, also known as Zaza or Kirmanjki, Dimlî, Dimilkî, Kirdkî, or Zonê ma, is a language from the Iranian language group spoken by the...
Elena Moroz
Jul 314 min read


Greek and Turkish Music Ensembles in San Francisco Bay Area
Our language cooperative has a solid foundation in the Balkan music tradition. Many of our students and founders are active in Turkish and Greek music communities in San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Music draws learners in, deepens cultural understanding, and supports language acquisition. Here is a list of music ensemble performing Greek and Turkish songs in the SF Bay Area.

Halbuki
Jun 253 min read


Mastering Russian Verbs of Motion: A Guide for Learners
If you’ve started learning Russian, you’ve probably come across verbs of motion , which work in a very unique way in Russian, and can...
Elena Moroz
Mar 243 min read


The First Ever Turkish Language Dictionary Was Created in Response to Growing Arabic and Persian Language Spread
The First Turkic Language Dictionary Ever. Divanu Lugati't-Turk: The First Ever Dictionary of Turkic Languages Divanu Lugati't-Turk,...
Elena Moroz
Mar 122 min read


Why Is Turkish Challenging for Speakers of Indo-European Languages?
Turkish is challenging for English speakers to learn because the structures of these languages are so different.

Ali Yağız Şen
Feb 225 min read


Why Our Students Choose to Learn Less Commonly Taught Languages
OUr students have many reasons to study Turkish, from family heritage, to interest in Turkish shows (dizi), and even academic studies.

Halbuki
Dec 17, 20242 min read


Our Favorite Free Language Learning Resources You Might Not Know About (Spoiler Alert, it's Not Duolingo)
At Halbuki Linguistic Cooperative, we’re passionate about empowering learners to embrace multilingualism. Whether you’re working on...

Ali Yağız Şen
Dec 17, 20243 min read


Exploring the Linguistic Similarities Between Turkish and Quechua: Two Agglutinative Powerhouses
Let’s take a closer look at the structural similarities and differences between Turkish and Quechua. Though geographically distant and...

Halbuki
Dec 17, 20243 min read
bottom of page


