LINGUA FRANCA AN ANNUAL NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES AT salemstate.edu/languages Volume 16 • 2018-2019

THE FREDERICK A. MEIER BOOK INSIDE THIS ISSUE

AWARD 2019: ANTHONY DIVIRGILIO The Frederick A. Meier Book Award 2019: by Michele C. Dávila, Chair Anthony DiVirgilio 1

This year the faculty of the World ¿Qué pasa? Quoi de neuf? Novità? 2 Languages and Cultures Department Bill Clark, Professor Emeritus of French and World Languages. October 29, 1937-June 18, 2018 3 unanimously voted to give the Frederick A. Meier Book Award to Anthony French Translation News 3 DiVirgilio, an Italian major. This award is WLC Certificate in Translation Students Intern and a product of the Ed Francis Endowment Translate for MA Legal and Court Institutions 4 that we received in 2013. Thanks to this The Commonwealth of Citation generous donation from Dr. Francis, for Outstanding Performance: Ronnette Wongus 5 this year we were able to award Mr. S.I.T.E. Program in Lombardy, : DiVirgilio both a book and $700.00. “Buon Viaggio Samantha & Luciano!” 5 Italian Club Attends Italian Expo in Cambridge 5 The Frederick A. Meier Book Award 2019 HOPE Award Winning Essay: goes to a student that: The Importance of Language 6

• Is a senior at Salem State University 2019 HOPE Award Runner Up: L'Importanza delle lingue in un mondo transnazionale 7 and a major in the world languages and cultures department The Multilingual Origin of the Unites States I: Spanish 7 Congratulazioni Anthony! Phi Sigma Iota International • Displays distinctive leadership in the discipline, such as in university Foreign Languages Honor Society 9 student organizations and student government activities Greek Letters in the Names of Fraternity Houses and Honor Societies 9 • Achieves academic excellence Semester Abroad in Oviedo, Spain 11 • Exhibits meritorious service to the discipline, such as in campus and Spring Break Service in Puerto Rico 12 community service Adventures of Italian Alumni 13

• Is committed to increasing awareness of cultural diversity and World Languages: The Gateway to New Horizons 14 promotes respect for difference and inclusivity on campus Graduate Study in Spanish 15 Jarchas from SPN 706 Graduate Students 15 Anthony is a double major with both the World Languages and Cultures The 2019 New England Contemporary and the Interdisciplinary Studies departments. He is the president of Italian Film Festival 16 the Italian Club and an Italian tutor, and he is always willing to help with in Black and White 16 the department’s activities. You can see him around campus on the Champions of Philanthrophy poster as a Philanthropy Ambassador. He EDITORS: Jon Aske really believes in diversity and giving back to others. His main advice Kenneth Reeds to new students is to be involved and get to know your department and university. WEB PUBLICATION: ssclinguafranca.wordpress.com Anthony received his award during the Phi Sigma Iota Induction Ceremony to be held on April 10 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Hawthorne CLUBS’ MAILING LISTS and FACEBOOK GROUPS: Hotel in Salem, MA. tinyurl.com/ssulangclubs

Please join us in congratulating Anthony, the recipient of the WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES Frederick A. Meier Book Award 2018! TEL: 978.542.6258 [email protected]

Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 1 ¿QUÉ PASA? QUOI DE NEUF? NOVITÀ? Department News Abounds Department News: year: “Los avatares de la muerte en la obra de Yanitzia Canetti” in the book Descifrando Latinoamérica: Género, violencia y We are proud to announce that this year the following will testimonio (Deciphering Latin America: Gender, Violence and graduate from Salem State University: 7 graduate students with Testimony. Eds. Margarita Peraza-Rugeley & Susana Perea Fox. a MAT in Spanish, 5 majors in World Languages and Cultures México: Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, 2018, (with concentrations in French, Italian, and Spanish), and 43 pp. 40-59 and “Miss Bala: agencia indirecta de un personaje minors and certificate students (in French, Italian, Spanish, entre la espada y la pared”. Agencia, historia y empoderamiento German, Arabic, and translation). femenino. Eds. Dianbe Marting, Eva París & Yamile Silva. Santo Domingo, RD: CDLEH, 2018, pp. 51-64. The following thesis were presented at Undergraduate Research Symposium this year: Kristine Doll’s second book of poetry, The Light of Ordinary Days (The Seventh Quarry Press: Wales, UK) is due out this • Michael May « Analyse sociolinguistique des mots summer, 2019. She has been invited to return to the Yale culinaires dans la langue française: les différences entre le Club (New York, May 17) and the Grolier Poetry Bookshop français québécois et le français métropolitain » (thesis in (Cambridge MA, May 21) to read her poetry. Doll recently Spring 2019) published her interview with SSU poet and professor Kevin • Sophie Swiniarski « Comment l’Accord de Paris rend la Carey: “Kevin Carey: Poet of Place.” The Seventh Quarry diplomatie entre la France et les États-Unis plus importante Poetry Magazine. 27, Winter /Spring 2018. Wales, UK. She also que jamais » (thesis presented Fall 2018) translated from English to Spanish the book preface in Stanley Barkan’s As Still As A Broom/Tan quieto como una escoba. The following thesis were presented at this year’s Graduate New York: The New Feral Press, 2018). Several of Doll’s poems Research Symposium: as well as her translations from Catalan into English and from • Sarah Colossimo: “Los gitanos en el mundo hispano: English into Spanish were published in Australia. Read the ¿ciudadanos o parásitos” poetry here: doubledialogues.com/issue/issue-21/

• Robert Dugan: “El Fujimorismo: ¿salvación o castigo?” Kenneth Reeds presented the paper “From the Frontier to the • Cristina Jáuregui: “La independencia de Cataluña: ¿justicia Sea: A Story of How Everything Changes, but Stays the Same” histórica o manipulación política?” as part of Fairfield University’s Imagining the Coast: A Public Symposium on the Humanities and the Sea at Mystic Seaport • Holly Parsons: “El sueño imposible: español en cuarenta in Mystic, CT. He is also working as an External Reviewer for minutos por semana” the assessment of the Department of World Languages and • Katherine Rattey: “El mito de la unificación española en Cultures at Eastern Connecticut State University. dictadura y democracia” Anna Rocca presented new research on Tunisian author Nidhal • Jessica Silva: “Viajando con recursos auténticos: Guiga at the Society for French Studies Conference, at the herramienta para la competencia de un segundo idioma” University College Cork (UCC) in Cork, Ireland, in Summer 2018. • Stephanie Swiszcz: “El mercado de la islamofobia In October, she also presented a paper on Franco-Martinican en España” writer Fabienne Kanor at the South Central MLA annual conference in San Antonio, TX. In 2019, Dr. Rocca published • Leonila Téllez-Valle: “José Rubén Romero: una obra en a book chapter on Tunisian artist Héla Ammar entitled “Héla el olvido” Ammar: Art & Beyond” in Art and Healing: Gender, Genocide, • Rehana Yusif: “La independencia no elimina el pensamiento and Aesthetic Expression, published by the University of colonial: Guinea Ecuatorial y el primer mundo” Nebraska Press. Dr. Rocca also published an article for the peer- edited journal Romanica Silesiana, published by the University of Silesia, Katowice, . The journal issue is entitled Le Faculty News: Maghreb: entre conflit et consensus and her article “Algeria: Sarah Haidar’s Reflections on Conflict.” Elizabeth Blood published an English translation of Felix Gatineau’s 1919 Histoire des Franco-Américains de Southbridge, Fátima Serra presented at the following Conferences during Massachusetts, which was well-received in Southbridge the 2018-2019 academic year: “Hackers, mitos y leyendas: El and among French-Canadian genealogists in the United silencio de la ciudad blanca de Eva G. Saénz de Urturi” at the States. Franco-Americans (descendants of French-Canadian XV Congreso de novela y cine negro: un género sin límites, immigrants) are the third largest ethnic group in New England Salamanca, May 2019; “Inconformismo, resistencia en el siglo today! The translation, entitled History of the Franco-Americans XXI”: El olivo (2016) de Icíar Bollaín. Cine-Lit 9. Mujer y Género. of Southbridge, Massachusetts, by Felix Gatineau, is available Portland, Oregon, March 2019; “El drama de la persistencia on Amazon or Via Appia Press (viaappiapress.com/). You can de la crisis”, XV Congreso Internacional Voces Masculinas y watch the video of Prof. Blood’s talk “Southbridge 100 Years Femeninas. Escritoras y Escrituras. Sevilla, Nov. 2018. Ago” presented at the Jacob Edwards Library in Southbridge on YouTube: youtu.be/Q5DYkHtyRZQ

Michele C. Dávila had the following publications this academic 2 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 BILL CLARK, PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF FRENCH AND WORLD LANGUAGES. OCTOBER 29, 1937-JUNE 18, 2018 by Fátima Serra

On Sunday, June demeanor and sense of humor, he helped me loosen up and be 18, 2018, Emeritus resilient at the same time. In short, he was a true mentor. Professor William Clark of the Bill’s wife, Beverly (Seger) Clark remembers with delight Department of that in his last days he had the chance to reminisce about World Languages his Salem State days again. His cardiologist turned out to be and Cultures passed one of the most outstanding students Bill ever had at Salem away at the age of State, a Russian émigré, now Dr. Michael Goldstein. When he eighty. Professor became sick, they spent some time sharing the memories and Clark was a beloved reconnecting again. professor of French Bill spoke beautiful French and could handle himself in Spanish, and other languages Italian and Portuguese. He believed in World Languages. in what was then He supported the renewed efforts to add languages to our called Department of department and bring back language majors, after they had Foreign Languages, disappeared from the Salem State curriculum. He guided us for thirty four years, from 1969 until 2003. Bill was also a through the curriculum creation process and led the charge first-rate flute player, playing second flute to his wife Beverly to populate the department with new members. The result in Symphony by the Sea, the orchestra they cofounded. He is a thriving program with a solid major, multiple minors and was also an expert in wine, being a member of the American different paths for our undergraduate and graduate students. Society of Wine Educators, and he taught wine courses all over the North Shore. Upon retirement from Salem State in 2002, music, reading French classics, The American Society of Wine Educators, and When I arrived at Salem State in 1997, Bill Clark’s guidance and travels with his family filled his time with enjoyment. support helped me navigate the intricacies of this institution. I was coming from a different country and sharing an office with In addition to his wife of 49 years, Bill left behind four children, him was the best thing that happened to me at SSU. From day seven grandchildren, as well as colleagues and fellow musicians one, his work and generosity stood out: reviewing and editing who will miss him very much. We are happy to have had the junior faculty writings, tutoring students, sharing his syllabi chance to share part of his journey and celebrate his life. and experience, and spending countless hours recruiting the next generation of World Languages faculty. Bill Clark made dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/salem-ma/william- it all seem effortless and spontaneous, though I realized it clark-7888325 was the product of great effort, dedication, knowledge, and preparation. I will always cherish the memory of his calm

FRENCH TRANSLATION NEWS by Elizabeth Blood

This semester, students enrolled in Dr. Blood’s FRE 400: French Translation Seminar will be completing French/English translation projects for community clients, including Christine Boulanger, a Parisian artist and author of the website www. visagesdenfaces.com (translations of online essays about the artist’s encounters with her subjects); Dr. Leslie Choquette, Director of the French Institute at Assumption College (translations of biographies of Franco-American authors); and Dr. Julie Whitlow of the Center for International Education (translations of brochures for the Intensive English Language Program), among others. Students had a Skype conversation with Ms. Boulanger in class one day and had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation about her project, which aims to celebrate the diversity of cultures in Paris and create bonds between people of very different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds by creating portraits and essays about Parisians of all walks of life.

Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 3 WLC CERTIFICATE IN TRANSLATION STUDENTS INTERN AND TRANSLATE FOR MA LEGAL AND COURT INSTITUTIONS by Kristine Doll

Part of the training in translation that our students receive or how they identify. A career within the Trial Court can be includes translating for community agencies, institutions, schools prosperous and rewarding. and the court system. We have translated for the Essex County District Attorney’s Office as well as for the Essex County Probate How have Salem State University students assisted the and Family Court. Our current internships at the Probate and Court’s work? Family Court have focused on translating documents that play a The students from Salem State University have been a significant role in the lives of the residents of Essex County, MA. tremendous asset to our court. They have translated forms for In March 2019, I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Vinnie court users to access during visits to the court house. They Procopio, Operations Supervisor for the Essex County Probate have also had the opportunity to shadow some of our Trial and Family Court. Mr. Procopio works directly with SSU Court Translators during a court session. The hard work they translation students, guiding them through their internship at the have provided to our court will be beneficial to not only the Probate Court. public at large but to our entire staff. We are hoping to have the Salem State University translated forms approved for use state- What is the Probate and Family Court and what function does it wide by the Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court. serve? If you are interested in this opportunity to work with the Essex The Probate and Family Court is one of the divisions within the County Probate and Family Court, or any of the other internship Massachusetts Trial Court that handles cases involving families and translation possibilities, please contact Dr. Kristine Doll at and children, including divorce, paternity, guardianship, estates, [email protected] or 978.542.6259. adoptions and many more. The Essex County division serves 34 towns and cities throughout the Commonwealth.

How many people need the Probate and Family Court’s services?

The Essex Probate and Family Court takes in over 16,000 cases annually. In addition to the newly filed cases, there are thousands of on-going cases. An average of 300,000 to 400,000 court users enter our building every year.

What languages are used in the Court?

The Trial Court offers translators for any and all languages spoken throughout the world. Our highest volume of languages used throughout the county are Spanish and Portuguese.

Why is it important to have documents translated from English into other languages for the Court to function optimally?

The Trial Court’s mission is “Equal Access to Justice.” The Essex County Register of Probate, Pamela Casey O’Brien, offers multiple outlets of assistance to litigants who are not proficient in English. Court forms and instructions translated from English to other languages are used by litigants. We also offer a “Lawyer of the Day” Program which is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Register has, and continues to use, technology and other forms of assistance to ensure Equal Access to Justice for all.

How long have you been with the Court?

I am currently in my sixth year with the Trial Court.

Would you recommend a career with the Court?

Absolutely! Working in public service can be both challenging and rewarding. The Essex Probate and Family Court prides itself on customer service. Court users can be nervous, afraid, stressed or overwhelmed when entering our building. We understand that the matters we deal with are both personal and important. Our staff takes all of these aspects into consideration when assisting anyone from the public, regardless of the language they speak

4 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE: RONNETTE WONGUS by Michele C. Dávila

This academic year has been very exciting in the life of our own Ronnette Wongus. In the fall, not only was she promoted to Administrative Assistant II for her dedication and excellent work in taking care of us in the World Languages and Cultures Department, but she also received the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Citation for Outstanding Performance. She was one of the five SSU’s employees who received this honor. As part of the celebration, President John Keenan met with the awardees to congratulate them. Ronni also participated in the Commonwealth Celebration at City Hall with Governor Charlie Baker, who personally congratulated her.

In addition to receiving these honors, Ronni was invited as a Guest Speaker in the Empowered by Me event hosted by Andrea Wilson in Lynn, MA. Because of her powerful talk, this year she was selected for a publication titled Faces of Lynn. In it she describes her Four D’s to Live By: Discernment (maintaining her confidence in God for answers), Determination (not taking no for an answer), Drive (having the energy to succeed) and Dedication (putting yourself 100% behind your Ronni with Governor Charlie Baker work). No wonder Ronni has received such accolades. We are proud of you Ronni!

S.I.T.E. PROGRAM IN LOMBARDY, ITALIAN CLUB ATTENDS ITALIAN ITALY: “BUON VIAGGIO EXPO IN CAMBRIDGE SAMANTHA & LUCIANO!” by Anna Rocca

The S.I.T.E. (Study Intercultural Training Experience) Program is an internship opportunity for English-speaking teaching assistant in schools of Lombardy, Italy. It is an opportunity for students or recent graduates from US Universities who Italian Club at the Expo: Samantha Sullivan, Anthony Divirgilio, Mataya Winchester, wish to get a better Ashley Greco, Ben Geary, Bayron Contreras understanding of On April 6, members of the Italian Club attended the the Italian language Italian Expo in Cambridge, MA. The expo included talks on and culture, while immigration, live music, food, authors, and much more. The assisting local only universities present were Wellesley College, Brandeis, and teachers and Samantha Sullivan Salem State University. getting professional training on teaching methods.

This year, Samantha Sullivan, a Major in World Languages and Cultures with a concentration in Italian and a Minor in History, and Luciano Rex, a Major in Theatre and a Minor in World Languages & Cultures, have been awarded a Teaching Fellowship for the academic year 2019-2020. Samantha Sullivan has been placed at the high school Liceo Simon Weil in Treviglio, province of Milan. Luciano Rex has been assigned to the high school Economic & Technical Institute Enrico Tosi in Busto Arsizio, province of Milan. Both students will leave in September 2019 and stay until June 2020! CONGRATULAZIONI RAGAZZI!!! Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 5 HOPE AWARD 2019 Each year, the Department of World Languages and Cultures This year’s FIRST PRIZE is awarded to Aminata Keita for her holds an essay competition exploring the dynamic relationship essay, “The Importance of Language.” SECOND PRIZE is between community and humanitarian service, education and awarded to Anthony DiVirgilio for his essay, “L'Importanza leadership; particularly in the context of improving our world. delle Lingue in un Mondo Transnazionale.” HONORABLE MENTION is awarded to Sasha Burgess for her essay, “Idiomas This year, writers were asked to respond to this quote from Rumi: y Culturas: Seeing New Worlds Through Language.” “Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world.”

2019 HOPE AWARD WINNING ESSAY: THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE by Aminata Keita

In the modern world, no one will be surprised by the it sufficiently to speak fluently, but my knowledge was enough to knowledge of several languages, but few people think about read my favorite haiku by Matsuo Basho in the original: what the real importance of language is. Language, as the “Speakcentral element of human communication,a new not only assistslanguage us Spring passes and theso birds cry that out — tears in the the eyes of fishes. to transmit information about the world but also to participate This haiku is Sam Hamill’s translation and has always been my in its creation. Without language, it would be impossible favorite. I wanted to know what value Basho put into his original worldto accumulate and transfer will experience, be build a society,a new and world” – Rumi expression and what signs he used to describe the departure of develop the benefits of civilization. Consequently, the more spring. To my surprise, the words in Japanese turned out to be Thelanguages World a person Languages knows, the more and one Cultures has the power Department’s to annual HOPE Award: Doing very simple, free of profound metaphor and vividness, and were change the world. According to Rumi, a person who speaks simple words that assisted my understanding of the aesthetics Humanitariana new language creates work, a new world,Creating and therefore Opportunities everyone for those in need Promoting Peace in of Japanese culture, which Basho conveyed in his lines. Thus, interested in the development of the surrounding world should the world and Sharing your linguistic and/oreven cultural a superficial Expertise study of another with language others. enabled me to be interested in learning new languages. better understand the culture of another people, the features of The ability to speak more than one language gives a person their vision of the world, thereby expanding my perception and Awardunlimited Prizes: opportunities Up towith $150 which and to explore your the essay world publishedmaking in methe more next susceptible edition to ofthe Linguabeauty of theFranca world around and develop oneself. A foreign language is a kind of code to me. Moreover, I am sure that the study of other languages will Essayanother Topic: culture, What by deciphering does Rumi’sit one can betterstatement understand about theassist importance not only me but of also language every person mean who wants to you?to learn Howother doespeople, speakingappreciate their more experience than as one well languageas their contributenew things, to to expandthe development his vision of the world and and improvement to improve by material and spiritual holdings. The particular advantage that uniting with other people. ofthe the study world? of other Doeslanguages the provides ability is notto thespeak opportunity a new language enhance your life and your Summing up, I agree with Rumi's opinion about the importance to study or work abroad, but rather, the ability to communicate understanding of others? You are encouraged to ofdiscuss learning languagespersonal for experiencesself development orand plansfor the perfection you with people in their own dialect, becoming at the same time a of the world. My experience of learning Japanese assisted me to havepart of to a single use societyyour knowledgethat has no boundaries. about languages to contribute to your community. better understand the culture of Japan, and especially the poems Details:I think, when Open Rumi to spoke all about students the importance who have of language taken languageof my favorite courses Japanese in poetthe Matsuo department Basho. I am of sure World that and how knowledge of several languages extends the limits knowledge of other languages is beneficial for any person who Languagesof human capabilities, and Cultures. he had in mind Essays precisely should the possibility be no longerwants to than understand two pageshimself and and the mustworld around be written him better, inof either uniting human English souls or and any creating of the a single languages cultural representedand also by to contributethe department to the cultural (Arabic, development Chinese, of society. experience through communication in the language of the French,other person. German, If one looks Italian, at human or history Spanish). or mythology, it becomes evident that the issue of unity through language Evaluationhas long been Criteria:considered. ImportanceFor instance, the of story contribution about the and clarity of expression. Tower of Babel and the division of a common language into HOPE AWARD 2019 Deadline:different languages Essays of themust world be assists received in understanding by March that 26, 2019. knowledge of the neighbor’s dialect is the key to harmony and building a perfect world. Submission/Questions: Based on my experience, I can say that mastering another Kristinelanguage wasDoll, useful PhD to me([email protected]) in familiarizing myself with the Annaculture Rocca, of another PhD country ([email protected]) and allowed me to get to know its features better. So, a few years ago, I was fascinated by the “Speak a new language so that the culture of Japan, and I wanted to learn how to read the original Japanese traditional haiku poems. Unfortunately, Japanese world will be a new world” – Rumi turned out to be quite tricky for me, and I was not able to study The World Languages and Cultures Department’s annual HOPE Award: Doing Humanitarian work, Creating Opportunities for those in need Promoting Peace in 6 the world and Sharing your linguistic and/or culturalLingua Expertise Franca with ● Vol others. 16 ● 2018-2019

Award Prizes: Up to $150 and your essay published in the next edition of Lingua Franca

Essay Topic: What does Rumi’s statement about the importance of language mean to you? How does speaking more than one language contribute to the development and improvement of the world? Does the ability to speak a new language enhance your life and your understanding of others? You are encouraged to discuss personal experiences or plans you have to use your knowledge about languages to contribute to your community.

Details: Open to all students who have taken language courses in the department of World Languages and Cultures. Essays should be no longer than two pages and must be written in either English or any of the languages represented by the department (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Spanish).

Evaluation Criteria: Importance of contribution and clarity of expression.

Deadline: Essays must be received by March 26, 2019.

Submission/Questions: Kristine Doll, PhD ([email protected]) Anna Rocca, PhD ([email protected]) 2019 HOPE AWARD RUNNER UP: L'IMPORTANZA DELLE LINGUE IN UN MONDO TRANSNAZIONALE by Anthony Di Virgilio

Penso che la frase di Rumi significhi che la nostra capacità di perché oggi le squadre nella Lega Basket Serie A in Italia, sono capire e parlare lingue diverse ci permette di conversare con seconde solo alle squadre dei club spagnoli in tutta Europa. persone di culture ed etnie diverse, e che questo contribuisce Chiaramente questo non sarà un lavoro facile da creare. Per alla crescita personale e alla consapevolezza culturale. Inoltre, ora sono uno studente in una classe per scopritore di talenti quando capisci una lingua straniera, sei capace di usare la tua sull’ internet, che mi ha permesso di parlare con scopritori di passione e le tue abilità per beneficiare del mondo in modi talenti internazionali e executive della NBA. Spero che questa diversi. Quindi, più lingue conosci, più modi hai per aiutare il esperienza possa aiutarmi ad ottenere una posizione che non mondo, perché la comprensione di molte lingue è una abilità richiede un’ esperienza nel campo, che infine mi porterà al appllicabile in altri contesti e non esiste un modo solo per mio lavoro da sogno di diventare uno scopritore di talenti utilizzare questo talento. Europeo per la pallacanestro. Mentre mi preparo per la laurea, comincio a riflettere e a comprendere come ho beneficiato Personalmente, ho migliorato la mia capacità di parlare, personalmente nel continuare a imparare una lingua straniera scrivere e usare l'italiano durante i miei anni di studio a Salem a Salem State. Le lezioni di lingua e cultura globale a Salem State, ma ora che mi avvicino alla laurea questo semestre, State, mi hanno permesso di capire di più sulla mia personalità ho iniziato a pensare a come posso usare la lingua italiana in e il mondo favoloso che condividiamo. Sono grato di avere un modo innovativo per aiutare il mondo dopo la mia laurea. avuto l’opportunità durante il mio tempo a Salem State di Ho iniziato a immaginare il lavoro dei miei sogni che mi andare in Germania e in Grecia per imparare dalla loro cultura, permetterà di usare l'italiano in combinazione con la mia vera e di avere avuto anche la possibilità di viaggiare in Sicilia passione nella vita. Ho pensato di connettere il mio amore e di usare l’Italiano in un contesto reale. Non dimenticherò per l'italiano, i viaggi e la pallacanestro e provare a diventare mai le persone che ho incontrato all'estero e le persone nel uno scopritore di talenti internazionale per pallacanestro. dipartimento di World Langauges and Cultures a Salem State, Molte squadre della NBA hanno molte scopritori di talenti in che mi hanno aiutato a realizzare il mio scopo nella vita. Amo diverse regioni del globo. Spero un giorno di diventare uno Salem State, amo le diverse culture nel mondo, e non vedo scopritore di talenti Europeo, in Italia più che in altri stati, l’ora di affrontare il futuro.

THE MULTILINGUAL ORIGIN OF THE UNITED STATES I: SPANISH by Michele C. Dávila

The names of many of the states and cities of the United States of America reveal much about the multicultural, and therefore, multilingual origins of this country. Many of these names were established centuries before its independence. First of all, we have the name America, that is the feminine form of Americus, the Latinized version of the first name of the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci, who explored the continent from 1501-1503. It was in 1507 that the first world map produced by German Martin Waldseemüller was published with the name America for the continent. That means that all individuals of this side of the world have the right to call themselves Americans. In fact, the world, including the US, used to catalog it as one continent until after World War II when the United States decided to make a division between North and South America (forgetting Central America all together) and started teaching that the Americas were two continents. The rest of the world still catalogues the so-called “New World” (new to non-native peoples) as one continent, which is the reason the Olympics’ symbol is comprised of five rings: Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and America.

The first European language spoken in what is today US territory was Spanish (Old Norse was the first one spoken in parts of what is known today as Canada). The first settlement was San Agustín, Florida, founded in 1565, today St. Augustine. The Spaniards maintained settlements in the area of what Figure 1North American lands claimed by European powers in 1700, including New France, is now Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and New Spain, and the 13 British colonies Conutinued on page 8 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 7 Louisiana during the 16th century and part of the 17th century. Florida was discovered by Juan Ponce de León in 1513 It is estimated that at this time there were 300 indigenous while looking for the fountain of youth, and it remained a languages north of Mexico, and another 300 south of Mexico part of Spain until 1819. The name Florida is derived from including Central America. the Spanish phrase Pascua Florida (Easter), because it was during this holiday that the Spaniards saw the territory for Of the names of the 50 states, 22 come directly from native the first time. languages, and a few others come from Spanish and French. The Spanish started their colonization through missions Montana comes from the Spanish word “montaña,” meaning throughout the territory that were in use for many years. mountain, but interestingly it was instead explored by They existed in Florida (1565-1709), Georgia (1568-1684), The Frenchmen and was part of the French territory of Louisiana Carolinas (1566-1670), Louisiana (1763-1801), Texas (1689-1830), until 1803. New Mexico (1598-present day), Arizona (1629-1828), and California (1726-1834). Their aim was to convert the indigenous The name of the state of Nevada comes from a Spanish people. This contact proved quite lethal to these native word nevada, meaning ‘snowed’, derived from the word communities due to the transmission of European diseases for nieve, meaning ‘snow’. It is a shortened version of the phrase which they had not natural defenses. Sierra Nevada, meaning ‘snowed mountain range’. The other famous Spanish name of the state is Las Vegas, that means The following eight states’ names come either directly from ‘the fertile plains’. Nevada was part of Mexico until 1848. Spanish or were named by Spaniards deriving them from other languages: The name New Mexico, or Nuevo México in Spanish, is recorded for the first time in 1563. The word Mexico itself Arizona is a state whose territory was under Spanish influence comes from the Nahuatl name for the Valley of Mexico since 1539. The origin of its name is debated. Some sources region, which was the heart of the Aztec empire. The name say that Spaniards called it that way from an O’odham for this region comes from a native ethnonym, since it meant phrase “al sonak” that means “little spring,” but most likely something like ‘place of the Mexica’, a Nahuatl-speaking it comes from the Basque phrase “aritz ona” meaning “good people from this region, and some think that that name may oak,” which was the name of a ranch in what is today the come from the name of a legendary leader and war priest. Mexican state of Sonora near where slabs of silver were found An interesting fact is that in 1995 the state of New Mexico 1737, something which put this region on the map. Another designated the bilingual song “New Mexico – Mi lindo Nuevo suggested source of the name Arizona is the Spanish phrase México” as the official state song, a first for this nation. árida zona ‘dry zone’, but that is surely not the case, if nothing Santa Fe, meaning holy faith, has been the capital since 1610. else because the order of the words is so unnatural in Spanish. This desert region was Mexican territory until they were Texas had been explored by the Spaniards since the 1540s. ‘ceded’ to the US in 1848 after the Mexican-American war, with In the Chronica de la provincia de N.S.P.S. [Chronicle of the some portions staying Mexican until 1853. Province of Our Lady Perpetuo Socorro], written in 1737, Francisco de Zacatecas mentions Texas as the name for the California, first sighted by Europeans in 1542, is a made- indigenous people living in the area and as a province. It is up Spanish name that comes from the book Las sergas de believed that the name comes from the Native American Esplandián (The Adventures of Esplandian) by Garci Ordóñez Caddo word táysha' that means ‘friend’ or ‘ally’. The letter de Montalvo, published in 1510. The novel represents a fictional X at the time was pronounced like English sh in Spanish, island with the name California ruled by a queen called Califia. which explains the spelling of the word Texas. Later when Until the 18th century it was believed that California was an the sound sh changed to h in Spanish, all spellings of words island. The Spanish established twenty-one Catholic missions containing this sound were changed from X to J in the 19th in this territory and from the names of those missions, mostly century, except in in word of well-known place names, such taken from the names of Catholic saints, come the names of as Mexico and Texas. The English pronunciation of this word many Californian cities. Some of them are: San Diego (the is, of course, what is known as a ‘spelling pronunciation’. A first one founded, in 1769), San Luis Obispo (1772), San Juan curious detail is that Spanish also has a word teja (plural: Capistrano (1776), Santa Clara (1777), Santa Bárbara (1786), tejas) that means ‘roof tile’, used to refer to the typical Santa Cruz (1791), San José (1797), and San Francisco (1823). terracotta roof tile used on traditional Spanish houses in Other cities with religious Spanish names are San Bernardino, some parts of Latin America. The Spaniards called the place San Benito, San Mateo, San Joaquín, Sacramento, Merced and La misión de San Francisco de los Texas. Texas also had Los Angeles, which is derived from a virgin’s name (originally missions such as San Antonio where the Álamo, meaning Asistencia [meaning sub-mission] Nuestra Señora de los ‘poplar tree’, is located. Ángeles). Other well-known Spanish city names in California are Monterey (King’s mountain), originally a “presidio” (royal Spanish wasn’t the only European language that has left its fort) and later first capital city of California until 1850, Calaveras imprint on the place names US territories in the Americas. (Skulls), El Dorado (The Gold), Placer (Pleasure), and Plumas France had a lot to do with what we know today as the (Feathers). California was part of Mexico until 1847. United States. Stay tuned to the next Lingua Franca for information on some of those names. Colorado is a Spanish word that means ‘red’, which was given to this region due to the color of the soil that gives its color to Some of the basic information in this article is taken from the Colorado River. Its eastern side was part of Mexico until the sites State Symbols USA, Fact Monster, Infoplease, and 1803, the central part until 1845 and the western side until 1848. Facebook.

8 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 Graduate Students: PHI SIGMA IOTA Sophia Grammenos INTERNATIONAL FOREIGN Leonila Tellez-Valle Undergraduate Students: LANGUAGES HONOR SOCIETY Emma Coady by Michele C. Dávila Shannon Cooney Vanessa Cunha The World Languages and Cultures department is proud to Demi DiCarlo announce the names of candidates who have been inducted into Eduar Rivera Maldonado the Phi Sigma Iota Honors Society for 2019. Phi Sigma Iota is an Andrew Muttiah international honor society that bestows academic honor and Jessica Tassinari recognition in the field of world languages and literatures. To be Emily Waldman invited to join this prestigious honor society is a testimony to Mataya Winchester scholastic and community excellence and leadership. Faculty/Administrators: In addition to the national prestige that Phi Sigma Iota confers, Marc Ebenfield members are also eligible for publication and scholarship Lauren Prema opportunities as well as for national and international internships, including those of the Washington Center, the Honorary/Community United Planet, and the U.S. Department of State Student Members: Internship Program, among others. Because Phi Sigma Iota Domenic Amara is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, Adam Cutler there are additional opportunities for grants, scholarships, and Induction Ceremony Guest Speaker: preference for Federal Jobs. Domenic Amara

Inductees include undergraduate majors and minors, graduate As last year, this year’s induction ceremony also features the students in the MAT in Spanish program, faculty members presentation of the Frederick A. Meier Book Award. This award and members of the community. New members are recruited is given annually to an outstanding senior. by invitation from faculty based on exceptional academic and community achievement and leadership in foreign language For more information, contact either Dr. Kristine Doll (kdoll@ studies. salemstate.edu) or Dr. Anna Rocca ([email protected]), faculty advisors. The induction ceremony is held annually in the Grand Ballroom at the Hawthorne Hotel, Salem MA.

GREEK LETTERS IN THE NAMES OF FRATERNITY HOUSES AND HONOR SOCIETIES by Jon Aske The most basic and general meaning of the word fraternity is Not all universities in the US have fraternities or sororities, ‘a group of people sharing a common profession or interests’ however. Salem State University does not have fraternity (COED), sort of like a social club. Modern fraternities developed houses, though there are some student organizations that from the medieval artisan guilds. However, in the United are considered ‘fraternities’ in some sense, at least on the States, the word fraternity is used nowadays primarily to refer University’s website, though they are more like clubs. Two of to ‘a male students’ society in a university or college’ (COED), these are ‘Men’s Organizations’, namely Alpha Sigma Phi and in particular one that has a fraternity house (or frat house) Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and two are ‘Women’s Organizations’, where its members reside, a sort of glorified residence hall. Phi Sigma Sigma and Theta Phi Alpha. Such societies have existed in the US since the 1770s. The word fraternity comes from Old French fraternite (Modern French University fraternities in the US are known for using Greek fraternité), equivalent to the native English word brotherhood. letters in the names, which is why their members are It comes from Latin fraternitas ‘brotherhood’, a noun derived sometimes known as Greeks. A fraternity may have chapters from the adjective fraternus ‘fraternal’, itself derived from the in different universities. The ten largest fraternities in the US noun frater ‘brother’. are the following, with the number of members and number of chapters: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 304,000 and 246; Sigma Chi, The female equivalent of a fraternity in US colleges and 300,000 and 246; Sigma Phi Epsilon, 289,000 and 234; Lambda universities is a sorority, a name derived in recent times from Chi Alpha, 280,000 and 218; Tau Kappa Epsilon, 265,000 and the Latin word for sister, soror. The term sorority means ‘a 290; Pi Kappa Alpha, 240,000 and 220; Sigma Nu, 225,000 and society for female students in a university or college’ (COED) 184; Beta Theta Pi, 183,769 and 138; Alpha Tau Omega, 181,000 and it is only used in North America, since, as in the case of and 141; and Alpha Phi Alpha, 70,000, 796. fraternities, this institution does not exist in other countries, even in the English-speaking world. Conutinued on page 10 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 9 Modern university fraternities started as (academic) honor By the way, Ancient (Biblical) Hebrew was another language societies and their Greek-letter names have that origin as well. that was often added to this language mix at the university, An honor society is ‘a society for the recognition of scholarly typically only after one already knew Latin and Greek well. achievement especially of undergraduates’ (MWC). One such The reason for the importance of Hebrew is that this was the honor society is Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign language of the Christians’ Old Testament, what for the Jews Language Honor Society which includes “modern foreign is the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, and religion was immensely languages, but also Classics, Linguistics, Philology, Comparative important in those days before the expansion of modern Literature, Bilingual Education, Second Language Acquisition sciences to universities. and other interdisciplinary programs with a significant foreign language component”. Phi, Sigma and Iota are the Latinized Many of the older Ivy League universities have words in their crests or logos in one of those classical languages. Thus, for names of the Greek letters Φ (Phi), Σ (Sigma), and Ι (Iota), as we will see in some detail below. instance, the crest or “arms” for , which was founded in 1636, contains a shield, three books, and the word Two other well-known honor societies are Beta Beta Beta, the single Latin word veritas, which means ‘truth’. There have for biology, known for its initials ΒΒΒ, and Beta Kappa Chi, for been two other mottos for Harvard University in the past, both in Latin: In Christi Gloriam ‘For the glory of Christ’ and Christo et Ecclesiae ‘For Christ in the Church’, but Veritas seems to have been the earliest one and it is also the current one.

The official motto of Yale University, founded in 1702, which appears in the university logo, is actually in Hebrew, namely which is transliterated into the םימתו םירוא Latin alphabet as Ūrīm wə-Tummīm. It is a phrase from the Hebrew Bible, found in the breastplate worn by the High Priest. It has been translated as Lights and Perfections or Light and Truth. The official crest of Yale University also has a Latin version of this logo, Lux et natural sciences and mathematics, known for the initials ΒΚΧ. (Note that the upper-case versions of these letters in these two Veritas ‘light and truth’, added for good names are identical to the Latin alphabet letters. This is not measure, as you can see below. surprising, since the Latin alphabet is derived from a version of As we mentioned earlier, honor societies—and thus the Ancient Greek alphabet. The lower-case version of Greek Β is fraternities—came to be characterized β, and of Κ is κ, and of Χ is χ.) In the field of language, in addition by names containing Greek letters, to Phi Sigma Iota, there is also an honor society for Literature typically three of them. The first honor of all Languages called Lambda Iota Tau (ΛΙΤ). A few honor society to use Greek letters in its name societies only contain only two Greek letters in their names, was the Phi Beta Kappa Society, an such as Psi Chi (ΨΧ) for psychology or Kappa Pi (ΚΠ) for art. In academic honor society founded in all, there are 68 honor societies associated in the Association of 1776 at the College of William and Mary. College Honor Societies (ACHS). Instead of choosing a Latin motto, like To understand the use of Greek letter names in the names of most other such academic organizations these honor societies and fraternities we need to understand did at the time, they chose the Ancient first of all the importance of classical languages in education Greek motto Φιλοσοφία Βίου Κυβερνήτης, which is transliterated prior to the 19th century. Until the early 1800s, higher education into Latin script as Philosophía Bíou Kybernḗtēs. This phrase in the West involved primarily the study of Classical Latin and translates into English as Philosophy is the Guide of Life. This Ancient Greek. Students were required to have studied Latin three-word phrase was abbreviated by the names of their first for many years before they could even apply to enter a college letters of the words in this phrase ΦBK, transliterated into Latin or university to get an undergraduate education where Latin as Phi Beta Kappa, and eventually that became the name of the figured prominently. In college, Ancient Greek was considered to honor society. be even more prestigious than Latin, since even the Romans, the Other organizations started imitating Phi Beta Kappa’s naming original speakers of Latin, considered format, resulting in numerous other honor societies with Greek culture and language to be the Greek letters in their names. At first, these societies were pinnacle of civilization and borrowed elite academic organizations or societies at colleges and copiously from the Greeks. But whereas universities, and their three letter names stood for actual Latin was a major subject in high mottos, as in the case of Phi Beta Kappa. Such societies came school for the few planning to go to to be called fraternities after the Latinate word fraternity, as we college in those days, one had to go to a saw earlier. The first all-female societies were known as female university in order to learn Greek. These fraternities, though later they came to be known as sororities. two classical languages and the study Fraternities and sororities are also known as Greek letter of “the classics”, that is to say, “the works of ancient Greek and organizations (GLOs). Latin writers and philosophers” (COED), was central to higher education before the development of the modern sciences. As we just said, originally fraternities were more like social clubs, literary societies, and honor societies, from which 10 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 they had developed. Eventually, some of these societies they transliterated it into their alphabet as PH. English has came to have buildings or residential houses where their borrowed many of these Greek words from Latin too. Actually, members resided while attending college. That was the origin any English word that has PH in it, from photography to of fraternities as we know them today. The first one such physics, ultimately comes from Greek (usually through Latin). fraternity house is believed to have been the chapter of Alpha In English, we pronounce PH in such words like an F, of course, Delta Phi at Cornell University, in the late 1800s. the way Phi came to be pronounced in Koiné Greek. Spanish also borrowed many of the same words, but in the 19th century As we saw, it wasn’t until the mid-to-late 19th century, when it was decided to change the PH spelling of these words to F, the study of Ancient Greek and Latin ceased to be a major part for the sake of consistency. Hence photography in Spanish is of higher education, that the use of Greek letters in the names fotografía, and physics is física. The letter is known in English of these Ivy League schools’ social organizations or fraternities as Phi, pronounced like fye, though in the name of the honor really took off. Eventually, the Greek-letter names of the new society, the more common pronunciation is like fee. societies did not really stand for anything or represent a motto like they did in the case of Phi Beta Kappa, though in some The Greek letter Sigma (σίγμα) had the upper-case form Σ and cases words were derived from the letters in the names after two possible lower-case forms, σ and ς (the latter is used only the fact. Note that not all honor societies and fraternities are in word-final position and the former, elsewhere). In Hellenistic named this way, though most of them are. Some societies that times, a stylized version of these letters was used, which look started with other names, such as Adelphean Society, founded like the Latin letter C: upper-case C and lower-case c. This is in 1851 at Wesleyan, a women’s college in central Georgia, was the source of the letter for the s sound in the Cyrillic alphabet later renamed Alpha Delta Phi. used in Slavic countries such as Russia and Bulgaria which was derived from the Greek alphabet. Greek Σ was equivalent in Let us go back now to the name Phi Sigma Iota, the main sound to the Latin letter S. honor society in the US for students of foreign languages. This society was created in 1922 and currently has 161 chapters Finally, the Greek letter Iota (ιώτα) was (upper-case) Ι or (lower- and over 40 thousand members, some of them at Salem State case) ι, was fully equivalent to the Latin letter I. Note, however, University. It is not clear that those Greek letters stood for that the lower-case Greek ι did not have a dot, and neither anything in the beginning, but eventually they came to stand did the Latin I. The dot would not become part of the letter I for the words φῐλότης (philótēs), meaning ‘friendship, love, in languages with the Latin alphabet either until much later affection’, σπουδή (spoudḗ), meaning ‘zeal; haste; earnestness’ in the 11th century as a way to distinguish the I’s stroke from (and in Modern Greek, ‘education’), and ῐ δῐωμᾰ (idíōma) meaning other letters’ strokes in cursive. A variant of this letter would ‘peculiarity, specific property, unique feature’ in Ancient Greek. much later become a separate letter, namely J. The name of this letter in Spanish is jota, which comes from the Greek name Speakers of Spanish will recognize this last word as being Iota. the word for ‘(foreign) language’ in this language and in other languages, such as English, this word has come to Abbreviations used have meanings related to language as well. In later versions • COED = Concise Oxford English Dictionary of Greek, ιδίωμα (idíoma) came to mean ‘dialect (language variety)’and ‘idiom, peculiar phrase’, in addition to ‘peculiarity, • AHD = American Heritage Dictionary habit’. This Greek word was borrowed into Latin as ĭdĭōma with two the first two of these meanings, namely ‘a peculiarity in • MWC = Merriam-Webster's Collegiate 11 language, an individual’s peculiar form of speaking’ and also ‘phrase with a peculiar meaning or idiom’. The English word idiom, borrowed from Latin through French, still has those two meanings, though the second one is more common. In SEMESTER ABROAD IN OVIEDO, Spanish, the word was borrowed from Latin some 500 years ago as idioma, with the same meanings, but eventually it came SPAIN to be used for ‘the language of a nation’, synonymous with by Allysha Dunnigan lengua ‘language’, which also means ‘tongue’, but typically only in the context of foreign languages. SSU has solidified its long-standing relationship (since 1999) with Oviedo University with the signature of an Memorandum Let us look at the three letters of the name Phi Sigma Iota. of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. This In Archaic and Classical Greek, the letter Phi (ϕεῖ in Greek), summer, as in past years, a cohort of eighteen SSU students written uppercase Φ and lowercase φ or ϕ, was pronounced will attend the Spanish Language Immersion Program during like an aspirated P, much like the English P in the word pan. Summer Session I. Spanish majors, minors and other students This letter came to be pronounced as our F in the later part who want to add Spanish to their careers form the 2019 Oviedo of Classical Antiquity, in Koiné Greek, the Greek used in the cohort. eastern Mediterranean at the beginning of our era as a lingua franca when the Romans took over this region. The Romans did Less well known is the semester-long program in Oviedo that not have the aspirated P sound. The Latin letter P represented some WLC majors have completed in the past. Many of them the sound of an unaspirated P, like the Greek π (pi), and like the have shared their adventures with the campus community in P in the Spanish word pan, the Italian word pane, or the French past editions of Lingua Franca. It is important to emphasize word pain. The Romans borrowed many words from Greek that the program is not only for WLC majors. This past fall, that had this letter, and rather than borrow the letter itself, as Ally Dunnigan, a Communications major and Spanish minor, they did with other Greek letters that did not exist in Latin, spent a whole semester in Oviedo. She went to Spain because Conutinued on page 12 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 11 Spending a semester in Oviedo was the best time of my life and left me with incredible memories and lifelong friends. I keep in touch with my host family because they have made an impact on my life and I will never forget them. I am planning on returning to Oviedo within the next two years because I miss it so much already. Oviedo taught me a lot about myself and helped me grow more independent and confident in myself and my future. I learned a lot about the Spanish language and culture and brought those lessons home to Lynn with me. (I have olive oil and bread at dinner every night now, for instance.) I left a piece of my heart in Oviedo and I will always consider that city my second home.

Allysha Dunnigan in Asturias, Spain SPRING BREAK SERVICE IN she wanted to learn Spanish and fulfill her dream of travelling through Europe. Being a commuter, she also wanted to PUERTO RICO experience studying away from home. by Ronnette Wongus

Here is what she has to say about her experience.

Studying abroad was the greatest experience of my life thus far. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to embark on this magical adventure. Going into it, I was extremely nervous, as would anyone who decides to move to a foreign country with a different language for three months. At first, I was overwhelmed by the cultural change, the language that I was not fluent in, and living with a family that I had just met. After about a week and a half, however, I began to feel more comfortable and settled in. My five-foot tall host mom was the sweetest Spanish woman and she helped make my experience so much better. She cooked me three meals a day, did my laundry, made my bed while I was at school, and rubbed my back when I was sick. She spoke with me at lunch and dinner and helped me work on my Spanish. She brought me into her family and treated me as one of her own. Living with my host Salem State University, in collaboration with ServeUP family helped when I got homesick because I had a family in Intervarsity Organization, took 54 students from four Spain to care for me and talk to me and ask me how my day universities to Gurabo, Puerto Rico on a service trip during was, which meant a lot. spring break 2019. The trip’s goal was to help the residents I learned so much from the locals and in return, I talked with of the island to restore their homes that were impacted by them about my life and growing up in the U.S. Some of them Hurricane Maria almost two years ago. The students were from became life-long friends that I keep in touch with through Salem State University, UMASS Amherst, Central Connecticut Facebook. Our favorite place to go in Oviedo was Calle State University and the University of Vermont. Gascona. We were obsessed with the sidra (cider) and we Ronnette Wongus (Ronni) from World Languages and Cultures became friendly with the workers at many of the restaurants and Lauren Prema from The Center for International Education and would have conversations with them when we went and chaperoned the trip for Salem State University. Fifteen of our say hi to them when we saw them around the city. It was students and the two chaperones worked with the St. Bernard awesome to walk around Oviedo and see so many people Project to provide assistance with the restoration process outside enjoying life. in Gurabo and Loiza, Puerto Rico. The restoration process Seeing all of the churches everywhere we went, including the consisted of moving furniture, painting, scraping fences, laying beautiful cathedral, is one of the aspects of Oviedo that I miss floor tiles, power spraying cement, cutting down trees, putting the most, besides the sidra of course. Hiking to Mount Naranco up drywall and landscaping. and visiting the Picos de Europa mountain range were amazing Due to the significant loss and lack of resources to restore experiences and had some of the most breath-taking views I their homes, many of the residents of these communities had ever seen. I look at pictures from my trip almost every day have relocated or left the island. During our visit some of the and still get sad that I am not there. I appreciate all that Oviedo students were able to talk to the locals who said that they are gave me and the comfort and welcoming feel that I had while still in need of assistance and just cannot afford to do the work living there. The little cafes that we visited between classes and to restore their homes. They appreciated what we were doing the tapas that we would eat with our new group of friends are for them. some of the little things that were also so much fun.

12 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 Some of the poorest areas that Volunteer Housing Center in Gurabo, Puerto Rico where our were hit by the hurricane are still students slept on bunk beds and cots and our chaperones slept experiencing the loss of running on mattresses on the floor while lizards attached themselves water and electricity, which is a to the walls and ran through the center. Many of us had never recurring problem. Our students experienced these elements, but we never complained and experienced a day with no stayed focused on the recovery work. running water and a half-day with no electricity. With the loss While this was a service trip, our students got to experience of running water, a truck had to the beauty of Puerto Rico. They visited beautiful beaches in come to refill the tank, which San Juan and Carolina, local shops and ate the most amazing could take several hours or days. food. One of the best parts of their visit was to hear the Once the water tank was refilled, beautiful sounds at night of the coqui frog and see the amazing we preserved water by using sunrise in the morning. Our students said it was an honor and buckets and hoses to shower. a privilege to help the residents of Puerto Rico and they hope Ronni at work in Puerto Rico Housing was in the Irradia that the people they met can soon get back to normalcy.

ADVENTURES OF ITALIAN ALUMNI

Two recent graduates from our Italian program wrote to share absolutely loving travelling. Typically, I stay at hostels, and with us the places where language study has taken them since have met the most fascinating people there! I’ve also visited leaving Salem State. more museums in the past months than I think I had in my entire life. I am even starting to develop a little taste for art. I’ve surprised myself with my newly acquired interest in surrealist and modern art, having always assumed I would prefer the classics! I am currently reading The Inferno again as part of a New Year’s resolution to read one book each week for the whole year.

These past few months have been ones of growth and development for me, at both the personal and the professional levels. Through my work for the SITE program of Lombardy at IIS Cremona in Milan, I have had the opportunity to teach students ages 14-19. In addition to CLIL and FCE courses, I have lead classes in English language on American and English Cody and Javier in Italy literature, history, European geography, and philosophy. I Cody Star Mulliner: Italian Minor-Psychology Major. She am fortunate to have the liberty to design the majority of my graduated in May 2018 and has been awarded a SITE (Study curriculum and have had the pleasure and honor of doing Intercultural Training Experience) scholarship for an eight- lessons on the Civil Rights Movement, Transcendentalism and month internship (1st Oct. 2018-31st May 2019) to teach English Thoreau, Analyzing “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, and The and American/UK culture and history to ages 14-19 at the Liceo American Dream, to name a few. Scientifico ‘ISS Cremona’ in Milan, Lombardy. She has also been awarded the 2018 Phi Sigma Iota Scholarship for $2000 to So far, teaching has taught me patience and self-discipline as support her stay in Italy. far as interacting with students and staying to a strict schedule for lesson planning. I am amazed by the students’ level of My life has been an adventure so far. I have been embracing language learning and insightful additions to each lesson. I the solitude by visiting museums and monuments, reading, have found that as a teacher, I learn something new each day writing, and attempting to meditate. I was lucky to meet a few too. other undergraduates who are working for the SITE program, along with a few new friends from Cinisello Balsamo, in the Living alone in a foreign country has been a humbling and province of Milan (where I’m living). It is nice to be meeting empowering experience. Actions such as opening a bank so many like-minded people! I am also tutoring a 40-year-old account, navigating a different culture’s social queues, and woman biweekly here in Milan to help her with her English. I negotiating a rent contract have proven to be a whole other am very honored to be valued as an educator by someone so world in the sense of using a second language as well as true much older than I! One thing I love about Milan is how much independence. nature they have. I have already visited 5 parks to work on my Moving forward, I am looking forward to the rest of the school lesson plans—it's very urban pastoral! I have had the pleasure year. I will soon be starting a unit on the Vietnam War for a to travel quite a bit too: Venice, Florence, Brescia, Lake Como, 5th year CLIL course, in addition to various other courses such and Bergamo in Italy so far; as well as Sofia, Bulgaria; Zurich, as Irish Folklore for my second-year students. I am excited to Switzerland; Vienna, Austria; Dusseldorf, ; London, continue to improve both my Italian and teaching skills, and and most recently Nice, France (such stunning coastal views!). plan to reinvest what I’ve learned back into the community and/ Before my return home in June, I have also planned trips to or further schooling upon my return to the United States. Naples, Pompeii, Amsterdam, Budapest, and Prague! I am Conutinued on page 14 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 13 Javier Rodriguez: Italian and Psychology Major-Spanish how similar we are. As human beings, we tend to focus on our Minor. He graduated in May 2018 and has been accepted into differences instead of realizing how beautiful and precious we the Master Program in Italian at Middlebury College. For this are. Learning and accepting others is the first step to achieve program, he spent the first 6 weeks in California during the a better world, and that includes learning and embracing their Summer and is now attending the accelerated academic year in cultures and languages. Florence, Italy. Right now, I am taking a course about Dante Alighieri’s poetry, il Dear friends, dolce stil novo, and writing my thesis. The subject of my thesis is an Italian writer called Dacia Maraini, and I will be studying the After graduating from Salem State with my bachelor’s degree, development of women’s situation in Italian society through the I decided to pursue a Master of Arts in Italian Language from characters from her novels. Middlebury College. This program took me to Florence, Italy where I have been living since September 2018. During these Having studied Italian and Spanish languages at our university months, I have had the chance to enrich myself with the and now with my experience at Middlebury, I have decided academic and cultural experiences that this marvelous country that I want to continue with this pathway, and I will be applying has to offer. Additionally, I have experienced a personal growth to a doctoral program in Romance languages this fall. I have that I never imagined I could reach. I have discovered so many been considering extending my sojourn in Italy once I finish aspects of myself that I never knew existed, but above all, my academic program. I believe that staying in the country will I have been able to find clarity regarding the path I want to help me develop as a person and as a student. Living in Italy, follow in my life. Being away from the United States has shown the United States, and Guatemala made me realize that having me that there is a whole world out there to experience. knowledge of more than one language is essential to be a citizen of the world. Languages are similar to a key that opens many As part of my master’s program, I was required to take courses doors, doors that take us to other worlds beyond our borders. I at the University of Florence. It has been an extraordinary could have never imagined living in Italy. Thanks to my love for experience because I met interesting individuals and realized world languages, here I am. Essere in Italia mi fa bene.

WORLD LANGUAGES: THE GATEWAY TO NEW HORIZONS by Kelsey Davison Kelsey Davison (class of 2015) entered SSU without knowing exactly where her education was going to lead her. She chose to supplement her Geography major with a minor in Spanish, a decision that has shaped her trajectory since, from her choice of study abroad programs to her Peace Corps destination in Paraguay. Her next step is a graduate degree at Harvard University to become a clinical psychologist to serve the Latino Community. Nothing better than her own words to illustrate how the addition of World Languages to your career can lead you to uncharted territories that you never dreamed of.

To me, the words education and opportunity are interchangeable. When I started my undergraduate career Kelsey Davison travelling the world at Salem State University, my belief in that statement was comforted me most of this response was their belief in what lukewarm at best. An undergraduate degree was a mere point of I was doing. Cultural exposure of this nature is difficult yet entry to the labyrinth that is life, something to be done. During fulfilling. I never felt more incompetent than during my first my freshman year I worked full-time and attended night school days in Chile with broken Spanish. I never believed in myself while fulfilling my general requirements. The mix of students I more than in the weeks that followed, knowing that I, alone, then became a part of is what led me to readjust my perception had continued onward in a foreign place. of what it was I was doing and the opportunity I had. It has been four years since I graduated from SSU. The The community at SSU is the university’s defining attribute. opportunities provided there continuously burgeon into new Many of my classmates hadn’t solely driven over from a possibilities. My Spanish fluency led me to 27 months of Peace neighboring city, they had traveled thousands of miles to be Corps service in Paraguay and mastery of a new tongue, the in a seat equal to mine. That realization is what suddenly gave native language Guaraní. This then shifted my focus to the my place there more weight. In a world of political contentions, world of human development and psychology and pursuit of understanding humanity as a whole is what is needed most. a graduate degree. Yesterday I attended Accepted Student’s Although I had the opportunity to work toward that in Sullivan Day at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where I begin and Meier Hall, my insatiable curiosity drove me to want more. class in August. In Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass he wrote, “I am an acme of things accomplished, I an encloser of things Two semesters and a summer abroad during an undergraduate to be.” I hold these words close as reminders of those that career is logistically complicated. Staff from the World supported me to where I am, and how they will stay with me Languages and Geography departments responded to my lofty wherever I maybe. goals with unrelenting “yesses” and boundless support. What 14 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 GRADUATE STUDY IN SPANISH JARCHAS FROM SPN 706 GRADUATE STUDENTS by Kristine Doll

Jarchas (kharjas) are brief poetic jewels dating as far back as the 10th century. They are the first poems written in Mozarabic, Interested in teaching Spanish? Looking for a licensure a Romance dialect spoken in southern Spain. Jarchas appeared program? as the final verses of longer poems written in Arabic or Our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Spanish, salemstate. Hebrew and were usually sung to audiences who would have edu/MATSpanish, offers solid academics, flexibility and recognized them. Jarchas are characterized by notes of desire, partnerships that lead to obtaining the initial and professional longing and sensuality. Written by men in the voices of women licenses needed for a career teaching Spanish. who long for the return of their beloved ones, jarchas are poignant glimpses into the emotional realm of men and women One hundred percent of our enrolled students are current in early Spain. The following short poems in jarcha style, were employed as Spanish teachers, even before having finished written by graduate students in the course SPN 706. the program. That is in part because Spanish is a “high-need subject area” in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Estás al fin del mar gris y vacío tus perlas reflejando sombríamente Salem State will hold its School of Graduate Studies Open y yo mirando de orilla esperándote House on Sunday, April 27 At the Open House you can learn mi habibi querido al horizonte more about the MAT in Spanish Program and the admission – Sarah Murphy process. The MAT Spanish Coordinator, Dr. Fátima Serra, Sadiiqi se ha vuelto a ir [email protected] and representatives from graduate Wa hada al-marra es para siempre admissions will be present to answer all your questions. Ya umii, si mi corazón no vuelve ma’i What makes our MAT in Spanish different? ¿Qué haré cuando amanezca sin él? Traducción: • It has a methods sequence that is focused on teaching Mi amigo se ha vuelto a ir Spanish and is taught in Spanish is a unique learning Y esta vez es para siempre opportunity for our students. Ay madre, si él no vuelve conmigo ¿Qué haré cuando amanezca sin él? • Students acquire strategies to enable diverse populations to – Stephanie Swiszcz succeed at learning another language. ¿Cóm’ vivre yo meu sidi Daniel? What makes it stand out: Sin el rojo de tu pelo y el azul de tus ojos Sin tu cariño habibi, • Strong package of Spanish courses taught entirely in Nada tiene sentido. Spanish by full professors – Maria Koehler

• Our program includes a Spanish linguistics course and ¿Ke farey, yaummi? a research project in Spanish that many programs do Al-wahs me no faras. not have. Garid bos, mamma sinal’habibnon bibre’yo • The research project is a unique opportunity to work closely ¿What will I do mother? with faculty and to present in a formal environment such as I know, you won’t abandon me. the MaFLA (Massachusetts Foreign Language Association) Tell me mother Conference. Our program has involved our students I won’t live without my love. in MAFLA through student internships, board service, – Anabella Dominick conference presentations and newsletter articles. Mio habib me muero Practicums: Por tuyo harara Regresa pronto, mi qualb • A strong partnership with more than 50 area schools Está vacío sin tuyo amor. throughout Greater Boston and the North Shore offering – Karen Harvey excellent fieldwork opportunities. Quand te vidi, sadiqi, • Educators already working in the classroom may be able to Mea lugha non sentia, complete their practicum at their place of employment. Meus olhos foram todos Nocte feitos y non vedian. Program Start: Fall, Spring, Summer Cuando te vi, amigo, Course Formats: Evening, Hybrid, Online. No sentia mi lengua, Mis ojos se me oscurecieron Como la noche y no veían nada. – Scott Sumrall

Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019 15 THE 2019 NEW ENGLAND MEXICO IN BLACK AND WHITE CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN FILM by Kenneth Reeds Coke or Pepsi? Mac or PC? FESTIVAL Republican or Democrat? We know the world is filled with The New England Contemporary Italian Film Festival celebrated infinite shades of color, but its second year! Once more, Professor Anna Rocca organized we work hard to reduce it to a three-night event on behalf of the Consulate General of Italy dichotomies. Black and white is in Boston. The 2019 New England Contemporary Italian Film easier than the complexities of Festival is sponsored by the Department of World Languages & grey. Perhaps this attractiveness Cultures and supported by The Italian Club and the Center for of the simple is the reason that International Education. The three free showings were open to Mexican cinema has recently the Salem community at large and they were very successful, presented us with two black and attracting an unprecedented number of students as well as white visions of Mexico City people from the Greater Boston area. in the form of the films Güeros Based on a true story, and directed by the young Alessia (2014) and Roma (2018). Scarso, the first movie, called Italo, recounts the story of a Instead of the simplicity, mongrel dog that thanks to its social skills earned in 2011 the however, that colorless films honorary citizenship of Scicli, a little town in South East Sicily, might suggest, Güeros and Roma are movies that embrace the in the province of Ragusa. ambiguous. Indeed, it is possible to argue that the image they Directed by Giuseppe Petitto, the second movie, Parlami di present of Mexico City is multi-layered and contradictory to Lucy, is a dark thriller centered on a mother, Nicole, who tries such a degree that they are impossible to reduce to succinct to protect her little girl from obscure threats that will eventually description. This invitation to manifold interpretations is discover an unbearable truth about Lucy. frustrating for some. With this in mind, after seeing Güeros, I asked an advanced course on Latin American culture this In L’Accabadora, the director Enrico Pau explores a territory year how they felt about watching a movie that challenged rarely seen in Italian cinema. Set in rural Sardinia and its and pushed them to reach an interpretation that might be largest city Cagliari during the Second World War, the movie impossible. The conversation that ensued illustrated a point: tells the story of Annetta, who keeps the inherited secret Artistic films like these are understood in personal ways. The of mercy killing passed down through her mother. But the complexities and depth of the movies provided space for war brings deep social changes, and Annetta finally finds an students to each develop their own interpretations. Their ideas alternative life path of love. were very different, even flatly opposed at times. In the end, I suppose, their readings of the films reflected more who they were and their cultural baggage rather than the films. In other words, instead of changing forever our comprehension of the movies, the deepest and most valuable insights were personal.

This embrace of the ambiguous is important. Human nature seeks simplification. We prefer life to be clean and neatly organized. Yet the world pushes back, knocking things out of well-defined categories or presenting something that does not fit in any of our pre-established boxes. I used to laugh at the story of Barnes and Noble and the Bible. Where should they put the Bible in the store? Which section is appropriate? If they put it non-fiction, they will offend some people. Fitting it on a shelf in fiction would satisfy some, but anger others. In the end, they spread it about the store. There are copies in fiction, non- fiction, even self-help! This anecdote is humorous, but it also illustrates the point: Even as we seek to reduce the world into simplified categories, it resists.

With this in mind, I encourage you to see Güeros and Roma. Both films that at once are excellent and merit criticism. It is possible to say that they are artistic. This is true insofar as art should help us see the world for what it is and thanks to movies like Güeros and Roma’s use of black and white, we can better explore the infinite tones and layers of grey in our multifaceted and contradictory world.

16 Lingua Franca ● Vol 16 ● 2018-2019