The Languages We Carry

Australian-born with Macedonian roots, translator and linguist Nick Nasev joins me to explore language, identity, migration and what it means to belong between cultures.

When Conversations Begin Online

One of the pleasures of producing An Englishman in the Balkans is that conversations often begin long before the microphones are switched on.

In this case, they started in the comments section of my Substack.

Over many months, Nick Nasev regularly shared thoughtful observations that reflected a genuine curiosity about the Balkans, language and culture. Those exchanges eventually led me to ask a simple question: would you like to come on the podcast?

I'm very glad he said yes.

Meet Nick Nasev

Nick is Australian by birth, with Macedonian family roots, and has spent much of his professional life working as a translator and linguist. But this isn't an episode about grammar or dictionaries. It's about something much more human.

Our conversation explores how language influences identity, how migration shapes our lives, and why our cultural heritage often stays with us wherever we go.

More Than Words

Language is far more than a way of communicating. It carries memories, traditions, humour and identity. It shapes how we see ourselves and how others see us. For people whose lives span different countries and cultures, language can become both a bridge and, at times, a barrier.

Nick shares his experiences of growing up in Australia with Macedonian roots and explains how those influences helped shape both his personal life and his professional career.

Living Between Cultures

As someone who has lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina for nearly three decades, I found many parts of our discussion resonated with my own experiences.

Living outside the country where you were born inevitably changes your perspective. Home can become more than one place, and belonging isn't always as straightforward as people imagine.

It's a theme that runs throughout this conversation, reminding us that identity is often built from several places rather than just one.

The Art of Translation

We also talk about the fascinating world of translation.

Nick explains why translating language is about much more than simply replacing one word with another. Every language carries its own history, humour and cultural references, and sometimes there simply isn't an English equivalent.

Those moments reveal as much about people as they do about vocabulary.

Why Stories Matter

Although Nick's professional background is in linguistics, what comes across most strongly is his love of stories and the people behind them.

This episode isn't intended for language experts. It's for anyone who's interested in people, culture and the experiences that shape our understanding of the world.

Listen to the Episode

Whether you've lived abroad, grown up in a multicultural family or simply have an interest in the Balkans, I think you'll find something here that resonates.

I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Nick Nasev. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts after you've listened