UMW Modern Languages and Literatures

Professor Di Lauro found a warm welcome as she begins her tenure as Assoc. Director of Honors Program

We’re so excited to kick off a new year with all of you in the Modern Languages and Literatures department! Whether you're continuing your language journey or just getting started, we're here to make this an awesome year!
Let’s dive into new languages, cultures, and connections together.

Fun, free and Fredericksburg local!
Check it out!

It's that time! Our annual Bastille Day celebration is coming up on July 14! For those who don't know, Bastille Day is the French Independence Day and it is our privilege to share this day with Fredericksburg. Please stop by Hurkamp Park on the 14th to see us!

Congratulations, Norah!!!

Norah Walsh is earning a B.A. Spanish & Philosophy: Pre-law. Norah studied abroad for six months in Bilbao, Spain during her junior year. While there in the fall, Norah continued editing with The Weekly Ringer as an associate editor, and her senior year served as editor-in-chief. Also during her senior year, Norah had the opportunity to work with Dra. Bocaz on the translation of José Donoso’s El lugar sin límites. This work coalesced well with a Spanish honors thesis on yearning and eroticism in q***r Cuban literature with Dra. Chichester, which she defended in addition to my philosophy thesis in the spring. After graduation, Norah will be working as a legal assistant for Butler Moss O’Neal.

Students from the Fall 2023 "Principles of Translation" class checked out the special exhibit, Lafayette's World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom, at the Fredericksburg Area Museum, which they translated into French.

Come out to the Fredericksburg Student Film Festival this Friday, May 3rd. One of the films, Chinese Connection No Matter How Small, features our very own Instructor of Chinese Hope Tang! The film is an observational documentary examining the interactions and connections between the Chinese first-generation immigrants of Fredericksburg.
Click the link for more information: https://fff.eventive.org/films/65f0a0f227b50000333a50dc

🌟 Congratulations to the newest inductees of Phi Sigma Iota! 🌟

We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional achievements of these dedicated scholars in modern languages and literatures. Your hard work and passion for language studies have earned you a place in this prestigious honor society. Here's to your future endeavors and the new adventures that await you!

From left to right:
Norah Walsh, Christopher Sullivan, Jessica Oberlies, Isabella Justiniano, Simon Hermes, Rebecca Cruz Briones, Layla Cruz Martinez, Aliya Claiborne, Elizabeth Breckenridge, Cozy Bell-Ferguson, Katelyn Abbott
Not pictured: Sophia Shipley-Johnson and Sarah Holt

Spanish majors Rebecca Cruz Briones and Norah Walsh recently traveled to Princeton University library to do research in their archives. They will both give talks about their projects on Latin American literature during our morning oral presentation sessions for the 18th Annual Research and Creativity https://2024.umwrcd.net/

Next week we're having a 2-night German Film Fest! (Open to UMW Students)
Weds, April 24th: Sachertorte
When Karl meets Nini from Vienna, he's convinced she's the love of his life, but he loses her phone number. All he knows is that she always celebrates her birthday at the famous Café Sacher at 3:00 p.m.
Thurs, April 25th: Balloon
Desperate to leave the GDR, the families Strelzyk and Wetzel flee in a homemade hot-air balloon.

For the 18th year in a row, we will celebrate our students' research and creativity achievements over the previous year, on the last day of the spring semester (in just two weeks)!! Students and faculty mentors, there is still time to submit to present! https://2024.umwrcd.net

🌟 We are overwhelmed with gratitude! 🌟
We want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one of you who donated on Giving Day. Your generosity has truly made a difference, and we're excited to share the impact of your support.

While we're still tallying the final totals, we can already say with confidence that it was a tremendous success, thanks to you! Your donations are not just numbers; they are opportunities created, lives touched, and communities strengthened.

Stay tuned as we prepare to share the incredible results of your kindness.