This is a first at the prestigious Harvard University: since this fall, a course on the Francophonie in North America has been given there. With the study of Quebec, of course, but also of these lesser known communities in the United States. The goal? Preserve “the flame of the North American Francophonie”.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
At the end of the line, Claire-Marie Brisson is feverish.
For the first time this fall, the Franco-American professor with Quebec roots is giving the course “Discovering the French language in North America”, an advanced French-language studies course offered at Harvard University in Boston.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CLAIRE-MARIE BRISSON
Claire-Marie Brisson, professor of Francophone studies at Harvard University
Over the next few weeks, its students will explore the continent to discover the Francophone communities that live there (or once lived there), from Quebec to Louisiana, after a detour via the Great Lakes and New England.
The objective of the course: to discover the rich history of the North American Francophonie, but above all to “give visibility” to these communities that exist “on the periphery” of a dominant English-speaking culture.
“How can we better represent them in English?” How can we ensure a future for them? Also, how can we as academics act as a support network? asks the teacher.
In the United States, French-speaking communities bear a painful past, marked by assimilation. Many families have lost their language and, with it, part of their identity, of their history. Louisiana, for example, banned the teaching of French from 1916, until the creation of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana in 1968, recalls Mr.me Brisson.
“Some communities here in the United States fondly remember the echo of the French language in their homes,” she said.
We must work to support those who speak French or wish to learn the language, so that the flame of the North American Francophonie is never extinguished.
Claire-Marie Brisson, professor of Francophone studies at Harvard University
A “misunderstood” story
Granddaughter of a Quebecer who immigrated to the United States, Claire-Marie Brisson grew up in Detroit, Michigan. At home, she spoke French, listened to Radio-Canada.
In his family, language is “the symbol of where we come from and where we are going”. “The language represents the culture of our family. If we had stopped speaking French, we would have lost our connection with our past and our present,” explains the professor, who also hosts a podcast, The North American Francophone Podcast.
This is what motivated her to complete her doctorate in French studies at the University of Virginia. Her thesis subject: the identity and traumas of the Canadian Francophonie in the 20th century.e century.
“What I discovered is that the history of Francophones in the United States is not well known,” says the professor. Few resources on these communities exist, and even fewer that are not stereotyped.
When I ask my students what they know about Quebec, they think of separation, maple syrup and snow. It shocks me !
Claire-Marie Brisson, professor of Francophone studies at Harvard University
At Harvard, some colleagues sometimes use French-Canadian or Quebec resources in their courses. “Which I find very, very good, but I was wondering if there had ever been a course that focused on the Francophonie in North America. I was told no. So I said to myself: “OK, I will do it”, she says.
Thus was born “Discovery of the French language in North America”, which has already piqued the curiosity of 22 enthusiastic students – and more, she hopes, in the semesters to come!
Building bridges
After a week of lessons, Claire-Marie Brisson is already delighted with her group: “The students are very interested! »
The majority of its students are American, many of whom have Quebec or Franco-American roots. The rest of the class comes from multiple backgrounds, including Africa, where large French-speaking communities also live.
The students share their perspectives, and it’s very interesting.
Claire-Marie Brisson, professor of Francophone studies at Harvard University
On the program: they will study poems written by French-speaking authors from Louisiana and will receive a visit from Quebec author Brad Cormier, who retraced the footsteps of French and Canadian explorers in his story. Rivièrances.
The group will also discuss with students from Université Laval, always with the aim of giving the communities a voice — and building bridges with them.
” I think that'[ainsi]we are able to bring discussions about Francophone communities to the fore and reflect on what our futures look like, in the plural, without borders,” concludes Claire-Marie Brisson.