Over the past month, I had the pleasure of interviewing four French speakers who call New
Hampshire home: Anna Morrison, Ginie Murphy, Janis Hennessey, and Maurice Demers. Their stories shed light on what it means to speak, learn, and teach French in the Granite State.
Janis Hennessey, a longtime French teacher and author of several children's books, shared
her insights on the deeper cultural meanings embedded in language. She emphasized that
learning a foreign language isn't just about vocabulary—it’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, engaging with a new culture, and having fun along the way. Janis also discussed the challenges of translating her books into French, particularly the cultural differences between Parisian French and Canadian French. A lifelong Francophile, Janis earned a master’s degree in French Literature from the University of Kentucky and a diploma in French History from the Sorbonne. She has taught French in Kentucky, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, inspiring students to creatively write in another language. When I asked her about learning French in the past versus today, she reflected on how the necessity of foreign languages has changed over time. While French was once a required subject, Janis noted that languages are losing their foothold despite their growing importance in our interconnected world. She continues to stay engaged with French culture through regular trips to France, where she keeps in touch with friends and
experiences the language firsthand.
Ginie Murphy studied French along with Spanish, Japanese, and Russian at the University of
New Hampshire (UNH), ultimately becoming a French major. She later taught French at UNH
Manchester and found the most fulfillment working with students who chose to be in her classes because of their passion for the language. Ginie also shared how New England’s openness to diverse French dialects has evolved—especially as the region has become more accepting of French Canadian influences, which were once stigmatized. Beyond teaching, Ginie stays connected to French culture by listening to French music and reading French literature. She’s also a fan of discovering new book recommendations on Facebook. Ginie believes in tailoring her teaching to each student’s individual needs and interests, helping them fall in love with French through a personalized approach.
Anna Morrison began her French journey at 14, influenced by her mother’s fluency and a trip
to France when she was 10. She went on to study French and Political Science in college and spent a year in Toulouse as part of an exchange program. Anna later taught English in France during the pandemic and earned a Master’s in Translation from the University of Bath. Currently, she works with a company that organizes exchange programs for U.S. students. Anna pointed out that many students today are seeking internships or travel experiences abroad, but are less focused on language acquisition than in previous generations—something Janis also mentioned. To maintain her French skills, Anna stays connected to her French-speaking family, keeps up with social media (which often requires reading French news), and listens to podcasts. For Anna, French has brought immense richness to her life, and she encourages others to live abroad for the cultural experience, even if it doesn’t directly impact their career.
Maurice Demers, a past President of the Franco-American Center (twice!) and Franco-
American of the Year in 2017, shared his unique perspective as a native French speaker in the U.S. Maurice grew up speaking French at home, but as most students in his area spoke
English, he often responded in English to his parents. He explained how the visibility of French Americans is often overlooked, especially when he visited France with a non-Francophone friend, and they assumed he was Canadian because of his New England accent. As a social worker and now a volunteer with the Granite State Ambassadors, Maurice still enjoys speaking French whenever he can. He stays in touch with French culture by listening to Radio Canada in the car. Maurice also discussed how Spanish is often seen as more valuable in the U.S. due to our proximity to Latin America, but emphasized that French is spoken across the globe and remains a valuable language to learn.
I’m incredibly grateful to each of these individuals for sharing their time and insights. Their
stories highlight the importance of French language and culture in New Hampshire and
beyond—and I hope you find their experiences as inspiring as I did!
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