Modern Language Day marks 45th year

Excitement and competition filled the air as almost 200 students from nine Georgia high schools took part in a variety of competitions at the 45th Modern Language Day held April 21 on the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Dahlonega Campus.

The students participated in exhibits, skits, and other performing arts, and in the day's grand finale, they competed in the Language Bowl that incorporated knowledge of both language and culture.

North Hall High School edged defending champion Lumpkin County High School for the Language Bowl championship.

Other high schools that attended were Dawson County, Gainesville, Jackson County, Morgan County, Shiloh, South Forsyth, and White County.

This year marked the return of the event to an in-person format after it was held virtually in 2021 and canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern Language Day had students from Spanish and French classes on hand this year.

"We're always happy to have these students on campus, especially being able to be back in person this year," Dr. Olivier Le Blond, associate professor of French and event director, said. "They can show mastery of the languages they are studying, and we are able to demonstrate the dynamic nature of our language programs offered at UNG."

UNG's Department of Modern Languages offers academic programs in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, and Russian, and it partnered with the Department of Spanish & Portuguese on the event.

"Modern Language Day is one of UNG's longest running traditions. It displays how important languages are for our students and how much studying languages reflects UNG's values," Dr. Christopher Jespersen, dean of UNG's College of Arts & Letters, said. "The day is a celebration of the hard work students put into learning languages in schools across UNG's service region, and we are always proud to host these high-achieving students."

Dr. Guy Oliver, a former UNG professor of French, started Modern Language Day in the 1970s, and it has evolved and added languages through the years. UNG faculty serve as judges who bring a light-hearted element to the intense competition.

"The rules have evolved to reflect new language pedagogies and the younger, more diverse students and teachers in the public schools," Dr. D. Brian Mann, department head of Modern & Classical Languages, said. "However, this day remains as a long tradition at UNG, a destination event for generations of students, teachers, and faculty."