A podcast hosting chats with artists, authors, linguists, translators, poets, professors, and translation & interpreting enthusiasts to discuss the power of language, the ‘definition’ of cultural sustainability, the impact of bilingualism, and the construction of immigrant identity.

VOICE is part of Lives in Translation, the Translation and Interpreting Studies program within the Spanish and Portuguese Department, here at RU-N. VOICE was initially created as virtual coffee chats and has now developed into this podcast, to share the stories of how multilingualism and diversity support social cohesion and a strengthening of affinities - identifying the voice of those who contribute to equity and inclusion.

Picture
​
On this inaugural episode of VOICE, Stephanie Rodriguez speaks with Jennifer Austin, co-founder and faculty advisor of Lives in Translation, Translation and Interpreting Program within the Spanish and Portuguese Studies Department at Rutgers University Newark. They discuss the inception of Lives in Translation, Austin's exceptional commitment to promoting the linguistic diversity of RU-N students, and how multilingualism supports social cohesion and a strengthening of affinities.  

On this episode of VOICE, Stephanie Rodriguez speaks with Chantal Fischzang, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at RU-N, co-founder of IntraCollaborative, and co-director of Visual Means and Design Consortium. They discuss Lives in Translation's identity, Chantal’s public art installations that reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the people of Newark, and the impact these projects have sparked to bring visibility to marginalized groups.











On this episode of VOICE, Stephanie Rodriguez speaks with John Keene, author of the award-winning collection Counternarratives and the forthcoming collection Punks. He is a translator of poetry, fiction, and essays from Portuguese, French, and Spanish. He chairs the Department of African American and African Studies, is Distinguished Professor of English and African American Studies at Rutgers University-Newark.

They discuss language as a superpower, John’s unique process as an experimental writer that engages historical context, and the need for more translation of literary works by non-Anglophone black diaspora authors in English.
​
John also shares a moving poetry reading!