In 'Mother Tongue,' author Sara Nović examines deaf history, and writes her own
June 3, 2026
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11:52Now PlayingIn 'Mother Tongue,' author Sara Nović examines deaf history, and writes her own
YouTube Description
as posted by the channelAcclaimed 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.
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