French All Around Us: Exploring the Legacy and Future of Francophonie in the USA

Building upon the rich foundation of the first volume, French All Around Us French, Language and Francophone Culture in the United States, this new collection delves even further into the vibrant, ever-evolving stories of the French language and Francophone culture throughout the United States. From the enduring Franco-American enclaves in New England and the Midwest to emerging voices in the Rust Belt and the South, the book showcases the linguistic, historical, and cultural significance of French-speaking communities, longstanding and newly arrived-who continue to shape the American experience.

The chapters gathered here reflect the diverse tapestry of Francophonie across the country. They reveal the legacy of Franco-Canadian and Acadian migrations, the complex identities of Haitian and Senegalese diaspora communities, the ongoing importance of bilingual education and advocacy, and the depth of artistic expressions ranging from architecture and literature to culinary traditions and music. Through personal narratives, research-based insights, and forward-looking policy recommendations, French All Around Us underscores how French remains not just an academic subject or a heritage language, but a living, creative force woven into everyday American life.

Foreword – Ambassador Ifigeneia Kontoleontos, Permanent Observer for the International Organization of La Francophonie to the United Nations

1. Francophonie in the US: Historical Roots, Cultural Diversity, and Future Perspectives – Fabrice Jaumont and Marguerite Tabusse
2. The Alliances Françaises in the United States: A Pillar of Francophonie in America – Hamza Djimli
3. Teaching, Learning, and Living in French – Jessamine Irwin
4. The Economic Value of French in Louisiana: A Policy Analysis – Jerry L. Parker
5. The Francophonie is Here: French Language and Francophone Identity in the Rust Belt – Claire-Marie Brisson
6. French All Around Us: From Preschoolers to Senior Citizens – Frédérique Grim
7. Multilingual Hospitality: African Diasporic Voices Shaping Francophone America – Maya Angela Smith
8. Building a Francophone Identity in Bilingual Schools: African-Centered Reflections of a Black Educational Leader – Bertrand Tchoumi
9. Weaving Haitian Roots into the U.S. Francophonie: A Personal Journey – Elcie Douce
10. New Speakers of French in Louisiana: The Future of a Regional Minority Language – Jonathan Olivier
11. Observing and Understanding Language Contact Among French Migrant Children in the US – Valérie Barrau-Ogereau
12. My Journey within the Field of Francophone Studies: From Africa to America – Emmanuel Kayembe
13. Collective Action to Protect our Future – Creating a Sustainable Franco-American Path Forward – Timothy Beaulieu
14. Exploring the Intricacies of Franco-American Artistry – Melody Keilig
15. Documenting the Francophone Contribution to American Music – Scott Tilton
16. A Hard-Won Battle: The Lasting Gift of Franco-American Churches to New England’s Built Environment – Eileen M. Angelini and Rebecca P. Sewall
17. The Tapestry of our French-Canadian Ancestry – Joseph Bolton
18. A Heritage Recaptured – John Tousignant
19. Finding Franco-America in Historical Anniversaries – Patrick Lacroix
20. Bridging the Francophone Archipelago: Past and Present – Camden Martin
21. Le Rêve – Jesse Martineau and Monique Martineau Cairns
22. The Value of the French Cross-Cultural Synergy – Franck Mounier
23. The “Mindset of Possibility”: The Role of External Funding in Building and Preserving College and University French Programs in the US – Steven J. Sacco and Megan Diercks
24. Just a Francophile from New Jersey – Jennifer Schwester
25. La Francophonie des Amériques: Conversation and Community – Joëlle Vitiello & Sophie Kerman
26. French Education from One Generation to the Next – Rebecca Fortgang & Jasmine Grace St. Pierre

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 Officier 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.