'There are so many benefits to studying a language,' says AU associate professor

Liana Babayan encourages the study of language as an associate professor of French & Women's and Gender Studies at AU. (photo courtesy of Liana Babayan)

By Makenzy Veldboom | Contributor

Growing up in a bilingual family, it’s no surprise that Liana Babayan has always been interested in languages.

As an associate professor of French & Women's and Gender Studies at Augusta University, she has taken her passion to encourage students to explore other languages and cultures. Though her family spoke multiple languages, it was French that piqued her interest when it was added at school.

“As soon as I started learning this language, I fell in love with it,” Babayan said.

She studied French and marketing in college and finished with what’s the equivalent of a Master of Arts.

“Before starting my Ph.D. in the USA, I worked as a translator for the USDA, Pernaud Ricard [and others]. Then, I moved to the USA to pursue my Ph.D. in French and francophone literature,” she said.

Babayan explained francophone literature was not studied as much back home in Armenia.

“The emphasis there was more on French literature. I found that I relate much more to the stories of francophone writers from North and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean region,” she said. “I wrote my dissertation on the topics of exile, immigration, choice of languages, identity and women’s coming to writing based on two Algerian born francophone women writers’ novels.”

In fact, when she applied to join the faculty at AU, which was then known as Augusta State University, Babayan was in the final stages of her Ph.D. dissertation at the University of Georgia in Athens.

“The day after I interviewed for this position, I had my dissertation defense and received my Ph.D.,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to teach at a college level, and this job provided me the opportunity to start a gratifying career right after finishing grad school. I was already in Georgia, and it seemed like a logical and fun endeavor to pursue.”

She already had experience in the classroom, having started as a teaching assistant at UGA the first semester of her Ph.D. coursework, and said the most enjoyable thing about teaching was the constant learning that accompanied it.

“I am a firm believer that most professors are the students who never really wanted to leave the university,” she said. “It is absolutely the case for me, so the idea of continued education and development, while teaching others how to speak French, was fun.”

Babayan added, “Additionally, I really love the feeling of sharing this beautiful language and its rich literature with students and there is something magical that happens when a group of students that walked into my class with zero knowledge of French starts speaking the language at the end of their semester.”

For Babayan, though, students gain so much more by studying a language than the ability to speak it, adding that most people already know the obvious economic reasons to study another language

“In my language there is a saying that roughly translates to, ‘More languages you know, more human you are,’” she said. “You will be more competitive in the job market, you will widen your opportunities to work in other countries, you can join Peace Corps and other organizations and so much more.”

But those are not the only or main reasons one should study another language according to Babayan.

“Language allows you to immerse yourself into a different culture, learn different perspectives and perhaps question some of your own,” she said.

Students who study languages are likely more empathetic, less prejudice to others’ cultures, show higher creativity and better analytical and problem-solving skills.

“For those who love literature, the new language opens the door for reading their favorite authors in their original language,” Babayan said. “There are so many benefits to studying a language, and I would be more than happy to discuss them with anyone willing to take a course with us.”

Outside the classroom, the Department of English and World Languages organizes various activities to promote the languages and cultures on campus. Babayan said several events are planned throughout the fall semester.

“For French in particular, we are going to have a world-famous band of Afropean Soul – Les Nubians – join us via Zoom and share their story with AU students and the CSRA community,” she said.

The event is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 15. More information can be found at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afro-pean-soul-a-conversation-with-les-nubians-tickets-418183848147.

Contact Makenzy Veldboom at kveldboom@augusta.edu.