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LoRs in French


Alyanumbers

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So, I asked for a LoR from this great professor in my department. She's actually head of department this year, and a prominent scholar in her field; she taught me three semester courses, and I got As in all threes; she's seen at least 3 of my papers, including one that won an award; she's quite impersonal, but overall, she likes me and just seems like the best choice for a recommender.

However... When I asked her for recommendations, she expressed disappointment that I don't want to continue my studies at my alma mater. She agreed to do the LoRs, though, so she gave me her email address, then added: "But I hope it's not English! I don't like writing in English."

...

Long story short, she refused to write me LoRs because she doesn't like writing in English. That was her wording (translated, obv.). It's a matter of principle, it seems. She might also be using the English thing as an excuse to get out of doing this, since she doesn't agree with my decision to study abroad.

So I wrote to my schools, and asked if they'd accept recommendations in French (or Arabic, for ME studies departments). Out of 6 schools, 3 responded; 2 said yes, one said I'd need to provide a certified professional translation (which I'm ruling out, for various reasons). So okay, I'll ask her to do those two recommendations, but I'm wondering if the three schools who haven't responded would also accept French LoRs. Is it unheard of to send LoRs in a foreign language? I mean, I'm applying to Comp Lit or similar programs, and they have lots of French specialists... And apparently, refusing to write in English is quite common in French academia, and I guess professors in the US are aware of that. If they can read it, it's okay, right?

I really don't want to get another recommender, since my other option would probably be a linguistics prof, and I'm mostly applying to literature programs.

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It is an interesting question. I've never heard of anyone having this problem. Some schools specify that recommendations must be in English but I guess it may be different for Comp Lit programmes. I doubt there is a definitive answer anyone can give you that will put your mind at ease.

I think you are on the right track - e-mail the other three schools again (and again) until they answer! Only after you have a yes/no answer from them, you will know for sure!

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that's absurd. but the primary point to be pondered over is 'She might also be using the English thing as an excuse to get out of doing this, since she doesn't agree with my decision to study abroad'. if you think this is most likely the case (or even the least likely), i doubt the (positive) nature of the LoR coming from her. she might write you a wushy-washy letter, as a formality gesture.

i see nothing wrong with asking the linguistics professor - people who write you the letters have to know your academic caliber and interest in graduate studies, and not necessarily people from within the same department. if his/her words can sell you in the market, you shouldn't hesitate to ask for help.

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that's absurd. but the primary point to be pondered over is 'She might also be using the English thing as an excuse to get out of doing this, since she doesn't agree with my decision to study abroad'. if you think this is most likely the case (or even the least likely), i doubt the (positive) nature of the LoR coming from her. she might write you a wushy-washy letter, as a formality gesture.

i see nothing wrong with asking the linguistics professor - people who write you the letters have to know your academic caliber and interest in graduate studies, and not necessarily people from within the same department. if his/her words can sell you in the market, you shouldn't hesitate to ask for help.

I agree on both scores...if this person is not too happy about your wanting to study in the US then she might not write you a strong letter.

Unis usually ask for one letter from someone who can attest to your experience in the field, one letter from someone who can attest to your ability to do grad level work and your academic perfromance and one other letter so using someone as a recommender who is not in your specific field is fine.

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Thanks everyone for your answers. I'll write the departments I'm applying to again, and in the meantime, I'll ask my linguistics prof for a LoR, regardless of what I do with the other prof. Some schools will accept 4 LoRs, so I guess I could have an extra one submitted in French.

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Well, problem solved (prof got back to me and told she'd do the recommendations in English :) ), but just for future reference, if anyone else has the same problem, both Cornell and Edinburgh welcome recommendations in French. SOAS asked for a certified translation, submitted with the letter, in a sealed envelope.

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