Talisman

Talisman

Author: Emmanuela Lia June 8, 2025 Duration: 1:35

Before we begin, a shout out to fellow Thespian Constanza Ruff who suggested the word to me. If you'd like to send me ideas, comments or questions about anything you hear in this podcast, you can reach me at yourgreeksunday@gmail.com. On with our episode!

Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Τέλεσμα (telesma) in ancient Greek and Τελετή in modern means 'a ritual' . The word travelled to Arabic as Tilasm and meant 'enigma' or 'lucky charm'. Although, that would be our current interpretation of lucky charm. In the ancient world, it was more of a divine protection in the form of an inscription on clothes or a piece of paper one would always carry with them. Especially in battle. The word was picked up by the French through-possibly-Turkey in the mid 1600s according to French linguist Claudius Salmasius. And at the same time, appeared in English in the writings of English resident, German philologist, Franciscus Junius. It's worth saying here that, both men had French names but it was custom to adopt Latin names in order to publish work. Today, a symbol or a design that is used as protection from harm is a ΤΕΛΕΣΜΑ/TALISMAN

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Each week, Emmanuela Lia offers a quiet, thoughtful moment with Your Greek Word On A Sunday. This award-nominated podcast explores the fascinating journey of language, focusing on a single Greek word that has found a home in everyday English. It’s a bite-sized piece of history and connection, released every Sunday. You’ll hear more than just a definition; each episode traces the word’s path from ancient roots to modern usage, revealing how ideas and culture travel and transform across centuries and continents. Emmanuela unpacks the stories embedded within these travelling words, showing how they silently shape our thinking and link us to a distant past. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering a hidden layer of meaning in the language we use without a second thought. It’s for anyone curious about where words come from, how history echoes in our speech, and the subtle threads that connect different worlds. The gentle, weekly rhythm and focused format make it a perfect companion for a reflective morning or a calm evening, turning a simple etymological exploration into a consistent ritual of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 335

Your Greek Word On A Sunday
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