A somewhat poignant look at the last generation of native French spekaers in Lewiston, Maine.
What is perhaps most striking is that there is apparently little contact with these French-Canadian immigrants and the French speakers of present day Canada where the language and media flourish.
A nice piece, well constructed, featuring a charming elderly lady who immigrated to Maine from Quebec in her youth.
This piece conjured up so many images for me that I had to listen to it twice. The narrator does an excellent job of painting a picture of this community, especially the 93-year old woman. I could actually see her sitting by her window sewing while listening to French jigs.
The producer did an excellent job of breaking terms down, like Franco-American, which I think makes this listener friendly no matter how much you know already know about other cultures. Yet, with her simple explanations, I never felt talked down too.
I also think there is a story within this story that could be explored further on its own. I was intrigued about the church that was turned into a Heritage Center and that the process was recorded and filmed by the youth of the town. I would love to hear more about this effort taken on by 8th graders in Lewiston.
Listeners get a sampling of many different people in the town, and I appreciate that. The producer did a great job brining in the many aspects of the history of these people and their community – without being topic-jumpy or leaving something out. I feel like I got a glimpse into another way of life, which is one of the experiences I look for when listening to Public Radio.
A melting-pot piece, but with the French, which I realized while listening, you don't hear a lot about. I know the French presented us with the Statue of Liberty as a gift, but it seems you don't hear many stories about French immigrants, or the trials Franco-Americans in America. They all settled in Canada before they immigrated here, and then not too many.
The piece explores Franco-Americans through a couple of close-ups, including an older woman who didn't learn English until she was over 50. The entire Maine town of Lewiston spoke French, mostly immigrants from not France, but Canada. They actually had a part of town called "Little Canada." The melting didn't occur until after WWII, when the area factories closed and the Franco-Americans left the neighborhoods around the factories and assimilated into non-French speaking areas.
This piece is surprised me. I don't know exactly what kind of show it works in. Maybe one about immigration, or maybe just an interesting piece to drop in whenever.
Oh, and how to improve your English? Play Scrabble.
Comments for Where is the French in Lewiston
Produced by Sarah Elzas
Other pieces by Sarah Elzas
Rating Summary
3 comments
Joseph Fusco
Posted on December 21, 2005 at 04:33 PM | Permalink
Review of Where is the French in Lewiston
A somewhat poignant look at the last generation of native French spekaers in Lewiston, Maine.
What is perhaps most striking is that there is apparently little contact with these French-Canadian immigrants and the French speakers of present day Canada where the language and media flourish.
A nice piece, well constructed, featuring a charming elderly lady who immigrated to Maine from Quebec in her youth.
Kari Chapin
Posted on January 24, 2005 at 03:35 AM | Permalink
Review of Where is the French in Lewiston
This piece conjured up so many images for me that I had to listen to it twice. The narrator does an excellent job of painting a picture of this community, especially the 93-year old woman. I could actually see her sitting by her window sewing while listening to French jigs.
The producer did an excellent job of breaking terms down, like Franco-American, which I think makes this listener friendly no matter how much you know already know about other cultures. Yet, with her simple explanations, I never felt talked down too.
I also think there is a story within this story that could be explored further on its own. I was intrigued about the church that was turned into a Heritage Center and that the process was recorded and filmed by the youth of the town. I would love to hear more about this effort taken on by 8th graders in Lewiston.
Listeners get a sampling of many different people in the town, and I appreciate that. The producer did a great job brining in the many aspects of the history of these people and their community – without being topic-jumpy or leaving something out. I feel like I got a glimpse into another way of life, which is one of the experiences I look for when listening to Public Radio.
Hans Anderson
Posted on July 06, 2004 at 08:15 AM | Permalink
Review of Where is the French in Lewiston
The piece explores Franco-Americans through a couple of close-ups, including an older woman who didn't learn English until she was over 50. The entire Maine town of Lewiston spoke French, mostly immigrants from not France, but Canada. They actually had a part of town called "Little Canada." The melting didn't occur until after WWII, when the area factories closed and the Franco-Americans left the neighborhoods around the factories and assimilated into non-French speaking areas.
This piece is surprised me. I don't know exactly what kind of show it works in. Maybe one about immigration, or maybe just an interesting piece to drop in whenever.
Oh, and how to improve your English? Play Scrabble.