Author Talk: Le français grandeur nature
Oct 3, 2025 — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A rich, honest, and colorful discussion inspired by the book Le français grandeur nature.
Overview
During this friendly gathering moderated by Robert Major, author Pierre Calvé, retired professor and former Dean at the Faculty of Education, will share some highlights from his book Le français grandeur nature: portrait et défense d'une langue vivante, published by the University of Ottawa Press in April 2025.
This is a chance to rethink our relationship with French language and break down some misconceptions!
Pierre Calvé
Author
Born in Maniwaki, Quebec, Pierre Calvé holds a doctorate in linguistics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He has spent his career as a professor and dean in the Faculty of Education and the Department of Linguistics at the University of Ottawa. His work has focused primarily on the teaching of French, French and Franco-Canadian linguistics (particularly Quebec linguistics), and the comparative grammar and stylistics of French and English.
Robert Major
Co-host
Robert Major, FRSC, Knight of the Ordre des Palmes académiques of the French Republic, pursued his career at the University of Ottawa as a professor of literature, department chair, Vice-Dean of research, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs. He has lived in a rural area for nearly 50 years—a setting he has gradually come to embrace.