ETB Blogs

From the Desk of Neda Moussapour

June 2025 
by Neda Moussapour, Field Building & ETB: Regional Project Coordinator

Beyond Words: Finding Connection Through Language and Presence

Hello ETB Community! My name is Neda Moussapour and I am a Project Coordinator on the ETB Team. Today, I want to talk a little bit about language and connection.  

I’ve always held a deep curiosity and appreciation for languages and the way in which a single word or phrase can hold the weight of a memory, emotion, or experience. Across several languages, there are words that do just that. In my native language of Farsi, the word tarof (تعارف) describes a complex form of politeness, an offer made to demonstrate respect and hospitality, even though it is meant to be declined. Another example is the Portuguese word saudade, which captures a longing for someone, or something no longer present. The Japanese phrase, mono no aware (物の哀れ), encapsulates the melancholic awareness and reflection of temporary things.  

Even though we do not all share the same language, we are united in the meanings words hold and the emotions they evoke. Even so, language is deeply rooted in so much more than just words. Meaning can live in our tone, presence, and silence. 

In a country with over 340 million people, there are more than 350 languages spoken in homes and communities across the U.S. That’s 350 ways of expressing love, grief, frustration, joy, conflict, and hope. I find it complex and beautiful that in our own communities, we each carry a unique way of seeing and understanding the world, shaped by our language, culture, and lived experience.  

In these unsettling and changing times, it is understandable that we seek comfort in solitude. Still, I hope that we continue to seek connections, stay curious and hungry to learn, and find small ways to lean into our communities. We might not always have the words to describe how we are feeling, but we can communicate in how we show up, listen, and learn from one another.