Teresa is a Spanish linguist with expertise in foreign language acquisition,and Spanish literature and translation. Born in Monterrey,Mexico and living in Austin,Texas,Teresa has been experiencing a bilingual and bicultural life. She believes in the necessity and advantage of being multilingual and multicultural so as to be a contributing and willing member of the global community. She has taught various student-age groups,from high school to university,and career professionals. She is the sole proprietor of a home-based business in Spanish translation. She holds both an undergraduate and a graduate degree from Texas A&M University,College Station,Texas.
I grew up on the Mex/Tex border and was therefore obligated to speak both Spanish and English. I say ‘obligated’ because my stubborn nature was fully developed since birth,I did not want to live in Texas,I did not want to speak English,I “would not,could not” want anything to do with the USA.
Since then,as a frightened 5 year old,I have been translating and interpreting for myself,for my grandparents,for my father. Once,as the family crossed the Mex/US border,fearing the birth of my younger sister. I pleaded with my mamá,not to have her baby on the US side. Why? Because I,we,would never understand her. I feared that being born in the US would automatically make one an English speaker. Oh if only language was that easy. Well,she was born in the US and I,and sometimes we,don’t understand her,although it’s not because she speaks English. Since then,I have been curious,amazed,and intrigued by languages and cultures. Language has been my fear,my struggle,my joy,and my wonder. I have studied language and continue my studies,as language is a living organism that is continually evolving and taking new form through its myriad of cultures.
The study of language is not only the analysis of linguistics,it is also done through reading. Literature, so much more than just an interesting read,‘gifts’ the reader with the language’s culture;its love,its hurt,its passion,its anger. As a young girl I read an abridged Spanish edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and it was not until high school English class that I learned that Tom and Huck were American kids from the state of Mississippi. I was heartbroken knowing that these friends were not Mexican,yet intrigued by my youthful misinterpretation. Reading this novel in two languages,interpreting the languages’ vocabulary,and relating to the languages’ cultures have gifted me an appreciation for language,culture,and literature.
It is from these life moments and from these gifts that I have made language and culture my work and my career. I wish to share these gifts with others,the gift of language and culture,and the gift of literature.
