Overview

French is literally everywhere - in our history and values, in our families, and in our neighborhoods and communities, from the croissant or macaron in our local café or bistro to family and place names across the country. These are the stories of French language and Francophone culture in the US, but, even more importantly, the stories of Franco-Americans - ranging from descendants of the earliest French explorers and French-Canadian immigrants to the newest arrivals in the US from throughout the Francophone world. This book is of interest to all of us, whatever our background, as the experience of French language and Francophone culture in the US has similarities to and intersects with the many languages and cultures that have contributed to the American experience.

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9781636072081

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Through this collection of essays, I understand my own family's story more clearly. In the 1960s, my memere, pepere, and my dad moved from a rural town in Quebec to Maine to work in Biddeford's textile mills. They were French-speaking immigrants who felt pressure to keep the French language from the next generation. My grandparents believed success could not be realized for their kids and grandkids unless they sounded more like those of English descendants. As a child, I did not learn French at home. However, as an adult, I've gained a deep appreciation for my Franco heritage. Becoming Maine's Speaker of the House has given me a new perspective. I am only the second Franco speaker in Maine's history. I now believe we have the opportunity to help a new generation of French-speaking immigrants recognize the importance of protecting language and culture-and treasuring it. This text is a testament to the resilience of those who have preserved the language and traditions that are at the heart of who we are. -Representative Ryan Michael Fecteau, Speaker of the House of Representatives, The State of Maine. French language and Francophone Culture in the United States is a fascinating travel, deep into American culture and the many Francophone components of the country. I should like to highlight the contribution of the Association for the Advancement of French Language and Francophone Culture in the United States book project to a better understanding of the vitality of the Francophonie, its diversity and its presence in the daily life of so many people living in the United States. In 2018, for the first time, a US State, Louisiana, joined the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). The OIF, which celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2020, was born in Niger (Africa). From 21 founding Member States, the Organization grew to one of the largest intergovernmental Organizations with 88 Member States and Governments, on five continents. The adhesion of Louisiana represents a milestone, which raises our awareness on the longstanding practice of French in Louisiana, its current challenges and opportunities. The vitality of French Language and Francophone Cultures in so many other US States is heartwarming. It is fragile though, and we feel responsible for this unique heritage. Education is critical for the future of the Francophonie as emphasized in many contributions, all brilliant in the scope of insights and perspectives provided. I am humbled by the amount of work and passion, at all levels - parents, students, educators, authorities -, that make bilingual education in French a reality in American public schools in 2022. I express my warmest congratulations to all contributors and sincerely thank them for this very inspiring endeavor. Your call to action is heard. We will fully play our role. -Ambassador Ifigeneia Kontoleontos Permanent Observer for the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to the United Nations

Author Information

Kathleen Stein-Smith is a dedicated foreign language educator and advocate in the United States. She serves as Chair of the American Association of Teachers of French Commission on Advocacy. She has written several books on the place of languages in our societies and educational systems. She is Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes académiques. Fabrice Jaumont is a French-born author and educator best known for his advocacy for dual-language bilingual education around the world. He is the author of several books translated in multiple languages.

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