Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute

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Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute

The ASU Critical Languages Institute offers summer intensive language courses & summer study abroad.

08/20/2026

🌍 Happy first day of the Fall Semester, CLI and Melikian Center community!

📚✨ Whether you are continuing your language journey on campus, practicing the skills you mastered during our intensive summer programs, or joining us for the very first time—welcome back! We are so excited to see where your global paths lead you this academic year.

🗺️ Looking to connect, practice your target language, or learn more about our upcoming programs? Come say hi at the Melikian Center Open House!🗓️ Thursday, August 27, 2026🕒 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM📍 ASU Tempe Durham Hall, Rooms 240, 241, & 243

Stop by to meet the faculty, connect with fellow CLI alumni, and grab some snacks. See you there!

08/18/2026

In Macedonian culture, before you dive into a big milestone, a challenging project, or a brand-new journey, people will tell you: "Со лесно!" (So lesno!) — meaning "May it come with ease." 🌟

With the changing of the season just around the corner, we are sending you all the focus, ease, and peace you need to prepare for what's ahead.

08/13/2026

Interested in global affairs, languages, or cultures? 🌍✨

Join us for the Melikian Center Open House! Discover how we support research, teaching, and public programs that advance knowledge across Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Russia.

Why attend?
🤝 Connect with students, faculty, and staff sharing similar interests.
💡 Learn about upcoming programs, regional research, and community events.
🌐 Explore diverse cultures and languages.
🗓 RSVP Deadline: August 25th (helps us plan, but walk-ins are totally welcome!)
📍 Where: Durham Hall Room 240

🔗 RSVP here: https://melikian.asu.edu/form/rsvp-open-house-2026-melikian

08/11/2026

Ever wondered how medieval geopolitics still echo in the modern world? 🌍

Dive into the deep origins and evolution of holy war this semester. HST 360: Crusades & Holy Wars is open for registration! Taught by renowned professor and Melikian Center faculty affiliate Dr. Stefan Stantchev, this highly-rated class sells out quickly. Don't wait to grab a seat! ⚔️

Fall 2026, Session A
(Gold: HUAD)
Time: M/W 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Location: West Valley Campus, CLCC 158

👉 Ready to enroll? https://catalog.apps.asu.edu/catalog/classes/classlist?searchType=all&collapse=Y&keywords=84781&term=2267 #:~:text=Course%3A-,HST,-360

08/10/2026

Uzbek and Turkish may come from different branches of the Turkic language family, but centuries of regional evolution and external influences have left a distinct mark on both. From core shared words for daily life like "heart" and "eye" to the overlapping echoes of historical Persian influence seen in words for "city," their vocabularies reveal how deeply language can adapt across empires and trade routes. 🇺🇿🇹🇷⏳

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Turkic-languages
https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/central-asia-xiv/

08/07/2026

You’ll only ever see this in Tatarstan… 🕌✨

Welcome to the stunning Kul Sharif Mosque in Kazan, a breathtaking blend of sky-blue domes and intricate white marble. Located inside the UNESCO-listed Kazan Kremlin, this architectural marvel symbolizes the unique cultural and historical crossroads of the region.

Want to experience the rich culture, history, and languages of Eurasia firsthand? Explore our language immersion programs and start your next global adventure! 🌐✈️

08/03/2026

Piece of cake 🍰 vs. A roll with butter 🥖

In English, an easy task is a "piece of cake." But if you are in Poland, you'd say it’s "Bułka z masłem"—literally, a roll with butter! 🇵🇱✨Idioms get weird when you translate them literally, and we are obsessed.

Drop the funniest literal idiom translation you know from another language in the comments! 👇

08/02/2026

Ever heard a Pole say "no" while nodding in agreement? 🇵🇱🤯

Welcome to the world of linguistic false friends! In conversational Polish, "no" doesn't mean a refusal, it actually translates to a casual "yeah" or "yep". If a Polish speaker actually wants to tell you "no", they will use the word "nie".

It's a prime reminder that shared phonetics rarely guarantee shared definitions. Perfecting a language goes far beyond memorizing words; it requires navigating these subtle, cultural nuances to keep your context intact.

07/28/2026

Did you know that the Armenian alphabet doubles as a math system? 🤯 Created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD, each of the original 36 letters represents a specific numerical value.🇦🇲✨

07/25/2026

Beat the summer heatwave with the perfect traditional remedy! ☀️🥛

Known as A***n (or Ayran), this frothy, thirst-quenching yogurt drink is popular throughout Eurasia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans because it instantly cools the body down. Combining yogurt, ice water, and a pinch of salt (plus mint, if you like!) makes this the ultimate refreshing recipe for staying hydrated.

Have you tried making it at home yet? 👇

***n

Address

ASU Melikian Center Durham Hall #250 851 S Cady Mall MC 4202 Tempe AZ 85287
Tempe, AZ
85287

Website

http://cli.asu.edu/

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