Linguist Hrayr Varaz teaches John Parker Western Armenian in this weekly podcast. Each episode features a useful phrase, a new learning topic (like plurals and numbers), and an Armenian riddle. The goal is to speak freely, to connect with centuries of Armenian speakers and language, and to draw energy from our shared knowledge and wisdom within the Armenian language. Our first season is ten episodes.
Hrayr Varaz is a linguist and pleasure activist with native fluency in Western Armenian and English. He's printed two 21st century bilingual poetry books, promoting language freedoms and expansion. John Parker is the founder of the Queer Armenian Library. He hosts The Gaily Show which is the only daily LGBTQ news program on the radio in the US. He also hosts the GLAAD media award nominated podcast This Queer Book Saved My Life.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegar (welcome) to our inerort (ninth) episode of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! First we start with a hairy-tongue phrase. Hrayr then reads this week’s gorgor jivjiv from pg. 68-69 of #jivjiv language. And we end our episode with a riddle about a mysterious bird.
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian (https://instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books (https://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv) where you can purchase your own copy! This week’s riddle comes from Nerses IV the Gracious (Shënorhali) from the mid-12th century via Wikisource (https://https://hy.wikisource.org/wiki/%D5%86%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BD%D5%A5%D5%BD_%D5%87%D5%B6%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%AC%D5%B8%D6%82_%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A5%D5%AC%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AF%D5%B6%D5%A5%D6%80). To dive into the writings of Nerses Shnorhali, check out Jesse Arlen's weekly reading and translating group here (https://https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/lgDGRIgXQEi8h-PFN1al8A). Worth noting that Jesse recently posted how '-gor' and '-ne' were being used in Middle Armenian, by Nerses Shnorhali!
Also definitely check out the Daror (Queer) Hay (Armenian) Library (https://queerarmenianlibrary.com) that John founded and continues to tend. For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (https://hrayrvaraz.com). And finally you can find Hrayr's dissertation we mentioned here (https://https://dspace.mit.edu/entities/publication/a3568dae-e92b-40e7-838d-3cb9d7c06c19). We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Aysorva (Today's) hanelug (riddle):
«Թռչուն անթեւ ու անփետուր,
Բայց կը շրջի ան ամենտեղ,
Իրեն համար սահման չիկայ,
Ոչ գետ ու ծով, ոչ լեռ, բլուր:»
“It’s a wingless featherless bird,
But it goes around everywhere,
For it there is no limit, no boundary,
Not a river or sea, nor a mountain nor hill.”
4 Nov 2026
Hrayr Teaches John: Numerals and Lemons
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegar (welcome) to our uterort (eighth) episode of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! First we start with a citrus phrase. Hrayr then reads this week’s jivjiv from pg. 28-29 of #jivjiv language (https://hrayrvaraz.com/podcast)(pages found here (https://www.hrayrvaraz.com/podcast)). presenting how the 36 original Armenian letters are used as numerals with Ա A as 1 to Ք K as 9000. And finally a riddle about many eyes to end our episode. Meow meow.
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian, (https://instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books (https://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv) where you can purchase your own copy! Riddles are taken from a 20th century Armenian language workbook created at AGBU Detroit written probably by either Zareh Melkonian, Keghanoush Keledjian, or other Armenian teachers (for the full scanned volume see hrayrvaraz.com/read).
Also definitely check out the Daror (Queer) Armenian Library (https://queerarmenianlibrary.com) that John founded and continues to tend. For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (https://hrayrvaraz.com). We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's hanelug (riddle):
«Աչուկնե՜ր, աչուկնե՜ր
Ոսկի՜, արծա՜թ աչուկներ.
Ցերեկները կը քնանան
Գիշերները կ՚արթննան։»
“Teeny eyes, tiny eyes,
Golden silver pixie eyes;
They sleep during the day,
And at night are awake.”
28 Oct 2026
Hrayr Teaches John: Intensity and Repetition
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegar (welcome) to our yoterort (seventh) intense episode-mepisode of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! First we start with a set of phrases about order. Hrayr then reads this week’s fab-fantastic jivjiv from pg. 18-19 of #jivjiv language (pages found here (https://www.hrayrvaraz.com/podcast)). And finally a fiery riddle to end our episode.
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian (https://instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books (https://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv) where you can purchase your own copy! Riddles are taken from a 20th century Armenian language workbook created at AGBU Detroit written probably by either Zareh Melkonian, Keghanoush Keledjian, or other Armenian teachers (for the full scanned volume see here (https://hrayrvaraz.com/read)).
Also definitely check out the Daror (Queer) Armenian Library (https://queerarmenianlibrary.com) that John founded and continues to tend. For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (https://hrayrvaraz.com). We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's riddle:
«Ի՜նչ տուն է որ, կրակ ունի պահուած.
Սակայն ոչ մէկ օր, հրդեհ չէ պատահած։»
“What is a house that has, hidden away fires;
Tho there haven’t been any days,
When it’s happened and gone ablaze.”
21 Oct 2026
Hrayr Teaches John: Delicious and Sweet
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegar (welcome) to our vetserort (sixth) episode of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! First we start with our weekly wonderful hamov (delicious) phrase. Hrayr then reads this week’s 8 syllables per line jivjiv from pg. 56-57 of #jivjiv language. And finally a riddle about a small house ends our episode.
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian (https://instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books (https://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv) where you can purchase your own copy! Riddles are taken from a 20th century Armenian language workbook created at AGBU Detroit written probably by either Zareh Melkonian, Keghanoush Keledjian, or other Armenian teachers (for the full scanned volume see hrayrvaraz.com/read (https://hrayrvaraz.com/read)).
Also definitely check out the Daror (Queer) Armenian Library (https://queerarmenianlibrary.com) that John founded and continues to tend. For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (https://hrayrvaraz.com). Also, check out Toronto's Armenian drag star Anoush Ellah (https://www.instagram.com/anoush_ellah), mentioned in this episode. We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's riddle:
«Տնակ մը կայ՝ դուռ չունի,
Վրան արծաթ, մէջը ոսկի։»
“There’s a tiny home, without any doors;
Pearl on the outside, you’ll find gold indoors.”
14 Oct 2026
Hrayr Teaches John: Plurals and Possessives
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegak (welcome) to our hingerort (fifth) episode of many (well das 🔟) of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! First we start with our shaptagan (weekly) common phrase about something sleeping, you’ll see. Hrayr then reads this week’s plural and possessive jivjiv from pg. 84-85 of #jivjiv language. Ending the episode with a fall riddle.
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian (https://instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books where you can purchase your own copy (https://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv)! Riddles are taken from a 20th century Armenian language workbook created at AGBU Detroit written probably by either Zareh Melkonian, Keghanoush Keledjian, or other Armenian teachers (for the full scanned volume see hrayrvaraz.com/read).
Also definitely check out the Queer Armenian Library (https://queerarmenianlibrary.com) that John founded and continues to tend. For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (https://hrayrvaraz.com). We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's riddle:
«Ճիւղեր ունի ծառի նման,
Բայց տերեւներ չկան վրան։
Գիտէ՞ք արդեօք, թէ ի՜նչ է ան…։»
“It has branches akin to trees,
Tho it doesn’t have any leaves.
Might you all know what it might be?”
7 Oct 2026
Hrayr Teaches John: There Is (And Isn't)
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello), inch ga chiga (what’s up), pari yegar (welcome) to our chorort (fourth) episode of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! First we start with a question phrase that has infinite answers. Hrayr then reads a sexy deep jivjiv on pg. 22-23 of #jivjiv language. We end the episode like always, with a riddle.
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian (https://instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books (https://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv) where you can purchase your own copy! Riddles are taken from a 20th century Armenian language workbook created at AGBU Detroit written probably by either Zareh Melkonian, Keghanoush Keledjian, or other Armenian teachers (for the full scanned volume see hrayrvaraz.com/read (https://hrayrvaraz.com/read)).
Also go and check out Mashinka Hakopian’s work at the Queer Armenian Library (https://queerarmenianlibrary.com/institute-for-other-intelligences/) that John founded and continues to tend. For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (https://hrayrvaraz.com). We are urakh (glad) you’ve joined us on this lezu (language) journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's riddle:
«Կը շարժի ան, ոտք չունի.
Մտրակ է, բայց կոթ չունի։»
“It moves, tho it has no legs
It’s a whip, with no handle.”
30 Sept 2026
Hrayr Teaches John: Small and Cute
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegar (welcome) to our -ig (cute) third episode of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! First we start with our weekly little phrase about something pulled, sort of. Hrayr then reads this week’s cute jivjiv from pg. 74-75 of #jivjiv language. Ending the episode with a soft cute little riddle.
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian (https://instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books (https://abrilbooks.com/product/jivjiv-language) where you can purchase your own copy! Riddles are taken from a 20th century Armenian language workbook created at AGBU Detroit written probably by either Zareh Melkonian, Keghanoush Keledjian, or other Armenian teachers (for the full scanned volume see hrayrvaraz.com/read (https://hrayrvaraz.com/read)).
Also definitely check out the Queer Armenian Library (https://queerarmenianlibrary.com) that John founded and continues to tend. For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (https://hrayrvaraz.com) (). We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's riddle:
«Կակուղիկ կաշի՝
Ո՛չ կը հալի, ո՛չ կը մաշի։»
“Leather softie,
won’t melt, won’t wither.”
23 Sept 2026
Hrayr Teaches John: You and Your
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegar (welcome) to the second episode of “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! In this episode we introduce the pronoun ‘you’ (tun) and a suffix for ‘-your’ (-t). We start with a sassy phrase involving love, of sorts. Then Hrayr reads the first jivjiv of the season about “you” on pg. 82-83 of #jivjiv language.
Finally try and figure out our weekly riddle, taken from a 20th century Armenian language workbook created at AGBU Detroit written probably by either Zareh Melkonian, Keghanoush Keledjian, or other Armenian teachers (for the full scanned volume see hrayrvaraz.com/read).
Get your copy of the second volume of #jivjiv created with artist Amy Kazandjian (instagram.com/amykazn) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations inside, printed by Abril Books (abrilbooks.com/jivjiv (https://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv)) where you can purchase your own copy!
Also definitely check out the Queer Armenian Library that John founded and continues to tend (queerarmenianlibrary.com (http://queerarmenianlibrary.com)). For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (hrayrvaraz.com (http://hrayrvaraz.com)). We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's riddle:
«Ճերմակ դաշտիկ,
Սեւ-սեւ հունտիկ,
Ձեռքով ցանես,
Լեզուով հնձես։»
“A cute white plane,
little black seeds,
Sow with your hand,
Reap with your tongue.”
16 Sept 2026
Series Premiere with our first phrase and riddle!
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. (https://rss.com/podcasts/hrayr-teaches-john-western-armenian/voicemail)
Parev (hello) and pari yegar (welcome) to “Hrayr Teaches John Western Armenian”! This episode is our series premiere where Hrayr teaches John a useful phrase related to what Hrayr’s mind is like pre-coffee.
And then we move on to a riddle, which is how we will end every episode.
For the rest of the season, we will also have a third segment mid-episode where Hrayr reads one of his bilingual jivjiv poems from “#jivjiv language”. This is the second volume created with artist Amy Kazandjian (instagram.com/amykazn (http://instagram.com/amykazn)) who did the cover art and the gorgeous color illustrations throughout the two volumes, printed by Abril Books (abrilbooks.com/jivjiv (http://abrilbooks.com/jivjiv)) where you can purchase your own copy! For more about Hrayr and his Western Armenian world explore his website (hrayrvaraz.com (http://hrayrvaraz.com)).
Also definitely check out the Queer Armenian Library founded and tended by John (queerarmenianlibrary.com (http://queerarmenianlibrary.com)) and The Gaily Show (thegailyshow.org (http://thegailyshow.org)). We are glad you’ve joined us on this language journey, tzë (bye)! 🐗
Today's riddle:
«Քոյրեր են երկուորեակ,
Միշտ միասին կ՚ապրին
Միասին կ՚աշխատին՝
Չեն տեսներ իրար…։»
“They are twin sisters,
Always living together
Together they are working -
And they don’t see each other…”
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