French Language and Literature
Major subject – French Language and Literature
As a world language, French is the official language in 29 countries and is spoken by 279 million people all over the world. In addition to strong, practical language proficiency, studies in French will provide you with expertise in French linguistics and cultural and literary knowledge. Linguistics will provide you with the fundamental concepts for understanding and describing language and linguistic phenomena. You will gain a multifaceted understanding of the French-speaking culture by studying French society as well as the French-speaking world at large. French language literature and its literary history will provide you with even deeper insights into the culture.
As a French Language and Literature student, you will choose either general studies, the study line for subject teachers or specialisation in language and economics. Students in general studies can freely combine various minor subjects to broaden their humanities education. Students in the study line for subject teachers will study pedagogy as their long minor and a special course in the teaching of French and another teaching subject. Students specialising in language and economics will study Business Administration as their minor subject. All students will do some form of language practice, either as an exchange student or by working in a French-speaking country. French Language and Literature can also be studied as a minor subject.
In the study guide, you can read more about the courses offered within the subject:
Research
Within the subject of French language and literature at Åbo Akademi University, research is conducted in areas such as syntax and semantics in modern French; contemporary French-language literature; migration literature; French-language literature in Québec; text linguistics; discourse analysis; the globalization of literature; 17th-century literature and travel writing.
Click on the names to read more about the research being carried out. The link will take you to the person’s research profile in the Abocris research portal (the link opens in a new tab).
Professor Meri Larjavaara
– syntax and semantics in modern French; text linguistics; discourse analysis.
University Lecturer David Chataignier
– 17th-century literature and travel writing.
University Lecturer Mia Panisse
– contemporary French-language literature.
Docent Svante Lindberg
– contemporary French-language literature; migration literature; French-language literature in Québec; the globalization of literature.
PhD-students
Youssef Gamal Kamel Alatris
Dissertation titel: Stratégies argumentatives du discours rapporté dans la trilogie d’Inch’Allah de Gilbert Sinoué.
Lidia Chuquizuta Silvera
Dissertation titel: Simplification linguistique dans l’enseignement du français et de l’espagnol.
Henrik Ruotsalainen
Dissertation titel: Le mode après après que.
Career Opportunities
Specialists in French language and literature have many different career paths. Many work as subject teachers, while others pursue careers in research or in the business world. Some graduates work in translation and interpretation, and there are also opportunities in culture and media. As a French specialist, you have international career prospects and can work in international organizations or in diplomacy and tourism. Expertise in the French language and culture is in demand in many areas of working life!
