Compiled by Conor Youhei Hustedde, Communication Specialist Student Assistant
The College of Arts and Humanities is excited to welcome Dr. Juan Berríos to the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literature. Dr. Berríos is originally from Caracas, Venezuela, earning his bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpreting at Universidad Central de Venezuela and his Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Pittsburgh. His research explores second language acquisition, sociolinguistics, and natural language processing, and he is an experienced language teacher and practicing translator and interpreter.
Tell me a little about yourself. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? What schools/universities did you attend?
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I spent my undergraduate years in Caracas as well, at Universidad Central de Venezuela (or “la central”, as students and alumni often refer to it in Spanish). I first pursued graduate studies in Alabama and received a master’s degree from Auburn University. I completed my doctoral studies up north in Pennsylvania, at the University of Pittsburgh, which is where I received my Ph.D.
What do you love about Hispanic linguistics?
I love that it’s a broad and interdisciplinary field of study. I enjoy learning about related (and sometimes even distant) fields when I do research and collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines.
Where do you find your inspiration?
In everyday conversation. I pay more attention than the average person to the small yet systematic ways in which language varies. It’s always interesting for me to learn about an object that is called differently in one particular region or the slang that has become popular in social media as of late.
What are you most looking forward to teaching at Fresno State?
I am especially excited about teaching interpreting courses. I really enjoy teaching interpreting lessons because they are never the same. In addition, there is a growing need for professionals with interpreting skills in the valley.
What are your teaching specialties? How did you become involved with those areas?
Broadly, I specialize in applications of language, which includes linguistics, translation and interpreting, and language teaching. My very first time as an instructor was back home teaching French as a foreign language. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to teach a wide range of undergraduate courses in Venezuela and the US.
How did growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, influence your passion for linguistics and your desire to be a translator and interpreter?
Spanish is the main language of communication in my hometown, but due to the country’s long-standing history as an oil producer, US American cultural productions (and English as the main language used therein) have always been popular. Besides, I’ve always had an affinity for language, and once I started learning English as a kid, I knew that I had found something that I was good at and that I enjoyed doing.
How do you hope your background will elevate the Modern and Classical Languages and Literature Department’s offerings at Fresno State?
My department is already quite strong. I am very happy to have joined this group of colleagues. I hope that, in addition to strengthening existing offerings, the expertise that I bring will help broaden our offerings to help students face an increasingly demanding job market. Courses in translation or linguistics nurture skills that are useful not just in those specific fields, but also in a wide range of careers, from nursing to engineering and beyond.
As a new instructor who will be teaching Spanish courses, what’s your biggest wish for undergraduates as they learn to explore the intersections of cultures, identities, and geographies over time?
My first wish is that Spanish-language courses serve as a window into the world for undergraduates. The knowledge our students acquire should hopefully help them become acquainted with alternative ways of thinking and doing, which is essential in an undergraduate education. In addition, Fresno State is fortunate to have a sizable bilingual student population. I hope that our courses help them appreciate the unique skills they already possess as speakers of US Spanish.
What is a book you think everyone should read, and why?
I don’t know that there’s a book everyone would enjoy, but when Spanish students ask for a recommendation, I always suggest “Crónica de una muerte anunciada” (Chronicle of a Death Foretold) by Gabriel García Márquez. It’s a fairly accessible reading, but it’s also masterfully written.
What are your fall 2023 office hours?
Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 