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Tell us about your academic path.
I studied French literature and linguistics in France at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris. Then I came to Venice and had to refocus on teaching languages and specifically French. I immediately started lecturing at Ca' Foscari, which I did for years. Then in 2000, when the first PhD in linguistics and educational linguistics was created at Ca' Foscari, I decided to apply (I was no longer very young), I won the fellowship and I started doing research in "Intercomprehension among Romance languages", which is still my favourite field of research. And, only a few years later, a position opened up in French. So, the lesson of this non-linear career is: always know how to put yourself back into the game and don't give up!

What is the aspect of your research you are most passionate about?
Building Europe by studying languages and cultures and promoting multilingualism. Mutual understanding among Europeans is the key to creating a sense of identity and a desire to be together. That is why I am passionate about intercomprehension between similar languages, as I am also passionate about the music of languages.

What has given you the greatest satisfaction in your career?
When students recognise us on the street many years later and call us!

The area you have always wanted to be involved in but have not yet had the opportunity to explore?
Neurolinguistics: what happens in our brain when we learn and use languages... Fascinating!

What would you say to young people starting their university career?
That is a privilege, a moment of great individual freedom (the beginning of adult life) and of great sense of community, an outstanding stage!