ABOUT WOW SPEAK LAO
Wow Speak Lao is a free Lao language resource that applies design to help make the learning process become more engaging. In addition, Wow Speak Lao contributes to the movement of making Lao culture more visible.
BEGINNINGS
After being a part of the first cohort of the Lao Language course that was instructed through The SEAD Project, Michael Sasorith found it difficult to maintain what he had learn because of his limited Lao vocabulary. Also, knowing that Lao language resources were scarce, Michael wanted to share what he had learned and help the Lao diaspora learn their heritage language. Wow Speak Lao was then started primarily as a social media handle on Facebook and Instagram with posts of words that incorporated a variety of visual design elements and styles — helping to show the beauty of the Lao alphabet. This website was then built to grow as a Lao Language resource hub that contains a variety of helpful language and cultural information.
THE NAME
Wow Speak Lao
Not only to express excitement for speaking Lao, the name Wow Speak Lao has a specific intention and meaning. Depending on the dialect or region, the Lao word ເວົ້າ can be said as “wow.” And in Lao, to put emphasis on an adjective or verb, the word is said twice. For example, ແຊບໆ (in written form, this symbol ໆ indicates a repeated word) [saep saep] means “delicious” or “tasty,” and to say it twice is to indicate that it’s really good! Therefore, Wow Speak Lao is a play on this and emphasizes the action of learning and speaking Lao.
Wow Speak Lao is privately funded and managed by me, Michael Sasorith. The choice to make this a free resource is based on a few reasons. Primarily, this is for the Lao diaspora community. As a Lao-American, I understand the challenge of not knowing my heritage well enough and the identity issues that comes with it. I truly want to help others feel proud and connected to their Lao identity. Second, I don’t see myself as a teacher or an expert in the language. English is definitely my first language, and Lao is still a language I’m progressively learning. I see myself as more of a “tutor.” And lastly, this is a passion project (tbh, this allows a very flexible commitment where I can go for months not posting on social media or not updating).