Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
artsJun 2, 20269:24pending

In 'Mother Tongue,' author Sara Nović examines deaf history, and writes her own

About this episode

Acclaimed author Sara Nović lost her hearing at age 12. Since then, she’s learned ASL, written the best-selling novel True Biz, mothered two children, and even discovered a knack for playing the piano — something she feels, rather than hears. Nović’s new memoir, Mother Tongue, follows her journey from teenagehood through motherhood as she grapples with a tough but fascinating question: What is a primary language? In today’s episode, Nović joins NPR’s Elissa Nadworny to discuss the book, how being deaf shapes the world around her, and her own approach to cultivating a multilingual household.

To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Get every episode summarized

Each time NPR's Book of the Day publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

In 'Mother Tongue,' author Sara Nović examines deaf history, and writes her own

NPR's Book of the Day

0:00
9:24

More episodes

More from NPR's Book of the Day

View all episodes →