My name is Ella Mure and I’m an Art History major and also play on the tennis team at Susquehanna University. I am looking to major or minor in French in the future, although I know that speaking and learning French is something that I will continue to practice and utilize throughout my life. This translation work is an amazing opportunity to connect the present to the past. These diary entries and letters are untouched and original, making everything said so much more personal. When learning about WWI and many other significant pieces of history, it is easy to get a summary of what happened, a textbook version, or a few key dates and people to remember. Although what is being told in these letters and diaries is from the people who were there, who experienced it and lived through those hard times. Being able to see what they wrote and understand where they were and how they felt is incredible. This translation project not only allows for us to analyze and understand their writing, but it allows for us to share these experiences and important pieces of history with our community and world.
My name is Precious Emmanuel and I am a French and Psychology Double Major as well as Vice-President of French Club and I am interested in utilizing my French major and passion for the arts to provide a diverse narrative in Francophone artistic works. I also have a strong desire to be in the Peace Corps. Being that over 25 African countries are French-speaking, I am hoping my linguistic skills will make me a more effective member of the group. I grew immensely from working with and reading this translation work. These documents provided me with an insider view of the day-to-day lives of the soldiers. This let me understand the history and impact of the war differently. It is important to remember the past so we try our best to learn from it and avoid making the same mistakes.