School of International Letters and Cultures at ASU

09/30/2026

In a world of 8.3 billion people, we all speak our own language and communicate through understanding one another’s language or context—that is the power of being understood. Celebrating multilinguals, translators and interpreters across the world today.

Happy International Translation Day from SILC! 🌐

09/29/2026

09/28/2026

Save the date! 📅 ASU's biggest week in the humanities is almost here! And SILC has a full week of events on the schedule, including cultural showcases, alumni career panels, advising sessions and a few things we're still cooking up. 👀 Browse the lineup and pick your favorites:
🔗 https://ow.ly/WY0f50ZRx2l

09/25/2026

A new resource for Italian language learners is now on the shelves, and it was coauthored by SILC’s Senior Instructor Gina Pietrantoni! 🇮🇹📚

In cucina: Lingua e cultura gastronomica italiana is an intermediate-level Italian language program that helps students strengthen their language skills while exploring Italian history, society and cultural traditions through one of the country’s most beloved expressions of identity: its cuisine.

A copy of the book will be available in the Pier Raimondo Baldini Library on the third floor of Durham Hall. It’s also available now through Hackett Publishing at https://hackettpublishing.com/new-forthcoming/in-cucina.

Congratulations to Gina on this achievement! 👏

09/24/2026

We invite you to celebrate Professor Souad T. Ali on the publication of her new book, Subjugated Voices and Religion. 📚

This volume, developed from the Subjected Voices and Religion conference, centers on marginalized voices and perspectives in discussions of religious studies, theological and spirituality. It is co-edited by two of Professor Ali’s scholar friends, a Jew and a Muslim feminist, and examines how religion operates within communities that have experienced oppression or exclusion.

The articles are an act of resistance against dominant systems by challenging stereotypes, correcting distorted narratives and recovering suppressed knowledge. Contributions are from established and emerging scholars across fields, including religious studies, feminist theology, Jewish and Muslim studies and more. Available on the Harvard Book Store at https://www.harvard.com/book/9781800506725.

Congratulations to Professor Souad T. Ali on this incredible global attainment! 🙌

09/22/2026

Kristina McCarthy teaches English to high school students in Tokyo, yet she still connects with Russian speakers 🇷🇺 at the nail salon, halal restaurants and events.

When she needed direction, Professor Hilde Hoogenboom recommended she write her Russian capstone on the Kazakh education system. That paper introduced her to the very system she would teach in for the next two years. SILC helped her win the Fulbright that took her there.

Swipe for her advice to students who aren't sure what comes next. ➡️

09/18/2026

At campus and club events, there are always plenty of bites to grab while socializing. Did you know there's a perfect word for when those snacks leave you completely full? 🍽️

In Italian, “apericena” (ah-peh-ree-CHAY-nah) blends aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks and light snacks) with cena (dinner). It’s a social evening event with enough food to serve as a full meal.

Stay tuned for more words with no English equivalent! 🌎

09/16/2026

Three years after coming to ASU because of his high school Japanese teacher, Derek Cisneros is headed to Japan on a prestigious MEXT Scholarship. 🇯🇵

The third ASU Japanese student to receive the scholarship in four years, Cisneros will spend the 2026–27 academic year at Hirosaki University on a fully funded award from the Japanese government. The scholarship has an acceptance rate of just 2–9%.

His achievement is part of a growing record for ASU’s Japanese program. Six students won awards at this spring’s Japanese Speech Contest, while others have earned Gilman Scholarships, attended graduate schools in Japan and pursued thriving careers in global business.

Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/5Gub50ZOr2w

09/15/2026

Did you know? Across Latin America, several countries celebrate their independence anniversaries in September—such as Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Mexico and Chile.

From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, we honor the cultures and invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from SILC. 💚

09/11/2026

We invite you to celebrate Professor Mark Cruse for the publication of his co-authored book, L’iconographie de l’Epistre Othea de Christine de Pizan.

The book is the first extensive analysis of the images in a manuscript produced for the French royal family by Christine de Pizan, who was medieval Europe’s first woman writer. The pictures in this book are among the most innovative and influential in European art history. Available on Brepols at https://www.brepols.net/products/IS-9782503611501-1.

Warm congratulations to Professor Mark Cruse on this wonderful achievement! 👏