Peter Vantine, Chevalier
dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques

Je vous remercie, M. le Consul Général, de nous avoir honoré aujourd’hui de votre présence sur le campus de Saint Michael’s College, une institution qui, elle aussi, a ses origines en France.

I thank you, Consul General, for honoring us here today with your presence on the campus of Saint Michael’s College, an institution whose own origins can be traced directly back to France. 

Votre rôle de représentant de la France aux États-Unis et votre visite ici nous rappellent que les liens entre nos deux pays et nos deux peuples, nos deux langues et nos deux cultures, sont forts, riches de complexité et profonds — ils remontent des siècles, s’étendent sur plus d’un continent et traverse l’océan.

Your role as a representative of France to the United States and your visit here remind us that the ties between our two countries and our two peoples, our two languages and our two cultures, are strong, rich with complexity, and deep — the go back centuries, span more than one continent, and cross the ocean.

Ce sont des liens qui ont été conçus dans les esprits de nos philosophes, nos penseurs ; communiqués par nos diplomates respectifs, nos intellectuels et nos artistes partagés ; entretenus, interrogés et raffermis par nos citoyens encore et encore. 

They are ties conceived in the minds of our philosophers, our thinkers; communicated by our respective diplomates, our shared intellectuals and artists; maintained, interrogated, and reaffirmed by our citizens again and again.

Ces liens ont été forgés par des guerres et testés par d’autres guerres ; ils sont nourris par le commerce des biens et l’échange des idées et la quête de la paix, toujours trop éphémère dans ce monde qui a tant et toujours besoin de dialogue pour réaliser le bien commun qui n’a ni nation ni territoire, et qui n’est le privilège d’aucun puisque qu’il est le puit dans lequel nous devons tous puiser et partager l’eau essentielle de la vie humaine sur notre planète. 

These ties were forged by wars and tested by other wars; they are sustained by the trade of goods and the exchange of ideas and the quest for peace, always too ephemeral in this world ever so in need of dialogue to achieve the common good that has neither nation nor territory, and that is the privilege of none because it is the well from which we must all draw and share the essential water of human life on our planet.

 Je suis profondément touché par cette reconnaissance accordée au nom du gouvernement de la République française sous les auspices du ministère de l’Éducation nationale. Partout dans le monde, ici comme ailleurs, l’éducation est essentielle. C’est un besoin et un bien. C’est un don qu’on mérite par notre seule humanité ; c’est une responsabilité sacrée que chaque génération se doit de transmettre aux suivantes. 

I am deeply touched by this recognition bestowed upon me in the name of the government of France [the French Republic] under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. Throughout the world, here as elsewhere, education is essential. It’s a need and a good. It’s a gift we deserve by the mere fact of our humanity; it’s a sacred responsibility that each generation owes it to those that follow to transmit.

Vive l’éducation ! Vive le multilinguisme ! 

Long live education! Long live multilingualism!

I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition of efforts that are for me both a passion and a pleasure. I’m also humbled, knowing how many other talented teachers work tirelessly to teach world languages and cultures. Collectively, we strive to expand our students’ personal and professional horizons by developing their ability to communicate with people across the globe and fostering intercultural understanding. Studying French is also an invitation to explore centuries of rich history, art, literature, and intellectual tradition, to encounter the dynamic and diverse living culture of France, and to venture out into the vast and varied Francophone world that spans from Europe and Africa to Canada and the Caribbean.

Before concluding, I’d like to express my gratitude for those who have made my work possible. First and foremost, merci infiniment à ma famille — immeasurable thanks to my family, whose daily encouragement, flexibility, patience, and love is itself without measure and is the fundamental foundation in my life.

I also want to recognize the support I’ve received and collaborations we’ve created Vermont with the Burlington-Honfleur Sister City relationship, the Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain region, and French teachers from schools, colleges, and universities across the state. I’m equally appreciative the have the invaluable regional and national support and resources from the American Association of Teachers of French. Finally, I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to teach and promote the French language and Francophone culture at Saint Michael’s College and to foster ties between France and Vermont, as well as France and the United States.