Jessica Nicholas, a graduating PhD student in the Department of French and Italian, gave an invited talk titled “Community Translation and Interpretation: Challenges and Rewards,” on April 11 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL).

Nicholas, who recently completed the requirements to receive a doctoral degree, discussed how the practical application of her French skills has led her on a path toward language services and immigrant advocacy, and language accessibility.

She was invited by Professor Virginie Cassidy of the UWL Department of Global Cultures and Languages. Professor Cassidy also was the organizer of the event.

Nicholas has become deeply connected to the Congolese refugee community in central Illinois. She has translated hundreds of official and personal documents, interpreted in civil and criminal court cases, and has worked at a refugee center. She also volunteers in the field of immigration law and researches language usage in the community.

Her talk was simultaneously presented at UW-Eau Claire, allowing its students to participate in the conversation.

After her presentation, Nicolas attended a course, “FRE 317: Practice in translation.” She brought examples of the types of document she translates and had students discuss how they would translate them. And, Megan Strom, UWL assistant professor of Global Cultures and Languages, who does similar work with the Hispanic community, also shared her learning experiences with the class.

Nicholas was a high school Spanish teacher prior to coming to the University of Illinois to continue her graduate education in French Linguistics. She has a concentration in Romance Linguistics and a particular interest in study abroad.

Her dissertation is titled “Social and Learner-Specific Factors in the Acquisition of Native-Like Phonetic Contrasts by Study Abroad Students in Paris, France.”