What is the power of a name? In this episode, we sit down with Alexandra Aikhenvald, Professor at the Jawun Research Centre at Central Queensland University (Cairns) and an Australian Laureate Fellow. Alexandra shares her extensive fieldwork experiences in north-west Amazonia (Brazil) and the Sepik region of New Guinea, diving into the significance of ‘blessing names’ within Amazonian cultures and reflecting on the devastating effects of colonial invasion on traditional knowledge. She also opens up about her personal journey into linguistics, inspired by her experiences of discrimination in the Soviet Union, and highlights the incredible linguistic diversity in Amazonia, where approximately 350 languages are spoken today. Our conversation explores fascinating topics such as: Naming practices and their cultural importance. The concept of ‘evidentiality’ in language. The challenges of preserving languages in culturally rich yet unstable regions like Papua New Guinea. We also discuss Alexandra’s book, I Saw the Dog, which underscores the importance of linguistic diversity and why protecting it matters. This is a thought-provoking episode packed with insights you won’t want to miss!