Meet our Majors –
Foreign Languages Questionnaire

Name: Margo Sullivan

Major: French     

Year at UNO: Senior

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Favorite book/author (French, Spanish or other): Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, Marguerite Duras, Eugène Ionesco

Favorite musical group: Wilco, Amadou & Mariam, Crystal Castles

Favorite musical solo artist: Beck

Favorite actor/actress: Jeff Bridges

Hobbies: cycling, traveling, costumes

Francophone or Hispanic person (living or deceased) whom you most admire and why:

I consider Atonine Maillet to be an admirable woman in the francophone world.  As an Acadian writer from Nouveau Brunswick she was the first non-European recipient of the Prix Goncourt for Pélagie-la-Charrette.  I had the chance to hear her speak at the Forum des jeunes ambassadeurs de la francophonie des ameriques 2010 in Moncton.  I was inspired by her resilience and pride in the lesser known French speaking communities of the western hemisphere.

Favorite French or Spanish word(s) or expression(s) and why:

“Lâche pas la patate” or “Lâche pas” for short. While literally translating to “ Don’t let go of the potato” this expression actually means “Don’t give up.”  It is a Cajun saying that is currently the rallying cry for French speaking Louisianians in our mission to preserve and cultivate our unique language and culture. With CODOFIL (The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana) recently falling victim to Bobby Jindal’s budget cuts we must all remember lâche pas!

Most memorable French or Spanish-related moment(s) at UNO and why:

Learning about werewolves, cannibals, and alchemy in Dr. Augier’s French literature class was a pleasure. My year spent studying abroad through UNO in Paris was also an incredible experience!

The main reason(s) I study a foreign language:

I study foreign languages because they spur your mind think creatively with new connections forming in the brain. peaking another language enables me to better understand other perspectives, travel the world, and ultimately better know myself.

Countries visited and when:

• Bonaire (2001) France (2006, 2011, 2012)
• United Kingdom (2006, 2011)
• Canada (2008, 2009, 2010)
• South Korea (2011)
• Spain (2011)
• Germany (2012)
• The Netherlands (2012)
• Belgium (2012)
• Morocco (2012)

Graduate school/career plans:

I am currently considering options to pursue a graduate degree in linguistics or work for the U.S Department of State abroad.

Do you communicate in French or Spanish outside the classroom? If so, with whom and in what situations?

My family and I speak French when we want to talk about something discreetly in public.   I also speak French with classmates from the French Immersion Program in Lafayette as well as Canadian/European/African friends I have made along my travels.