B. A. Van Sise

About the Author

B. A. Van Sise is an award-winning poet, journalist, and author whose work delves into the intersections of language, culture, and identity. Born and raised in the diverse landscapes of the American West, Van Sise has long been fascinated by the stories that shape our national narrative, particularly those whispered in the margins. With a background in linguistics and creative writing, he has contributed to publications such as The New Yorker, Poetry Magazine, and The Atlantic, where his essays and poems explore themes of heritage and belonging. His debut book, On the National Language: The Poetry of America’s Endangered Tongues, celebrates the resilience of indigenous and immigrant voices, weaving together oral histories and contemporary verse to illuminate the poetry embedded in America's vanishing dialects. Van Sise lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children, continuing to advocate for linguistic preservation through his writing and public speaking.