Dr. Vina Tirven-Gadum

I have a Doctorate in French Literature and specialize in the 20th Century and the early 21st Century French novel. My main area of research is in the field of Authorship Attribution to contested and pseudonymous texts; I test the hypothesis that style is dictated by the subconscious and forms the “genetic” fingerprint of the writer’s work. Applying standard authorship attribution methods, I evaluate the reliability of this concept in light of the pseudonymous works of Romain Gary. This kind of analysis requires a solid knowledge of traditional methods of literary analysis, a good knowledge of Statistics and Stylistics; Linguistics and of computer technology. I am now analyzing the pseudonymous writings of the Russo-French author Andreii Makine/Gabriel Osmonde, using the same methodology.

I am also interested in 19th Century French Literature (poetry, novel, and theatre), French literature of the middle Ages, the 17th and the 18th Centuries, as well as the writings of Francophone writers outside France. Before coming to Athabasca University, I taught French – Literature courses as well as Grammar and Writing courses – at the two main universities in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I also taught advanced Translation courses at the Université de Saint-Boniface (The University of Manitoba’s French campus); taught at the Alliance française du Manitoba, the Federal Government Language School in Winnipeg, and at the Department of National Defense. Since my arrival at Athabasca University, I have been developing French Literature courses, and revising many language and writing courses, in order to bring those more in line with current pedagogical practices and expectations.

I have been teaching French language and Literature courses at Athabasca University since July 2003.

Discover my research

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Research interests

• The French Novel of the 20th and the early 21st centuries
• The novels of Romain Gary/Émile Ajar
• French Poetry, theatre and novels of the 19th Century
• French literature of the 17th Century
• French literature from L’île Maurice (Mauritius): Ananda Devi, J.M.G Le Clézio and Nathacha Appanah
• Authorship Attribution to Pseudonymous and Anonymous Works

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Educational credentials

• PhD in French Literature - University of Manitoba
• MA in French Literature - University of Manitoba
• BA (Hons.) - University of Winnipeg (French Literature; Major in English)

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Professional affiliations

I am an active member of the following organisations

•  Modern Language Association (MLA)
• Conseil International d’Études Francophones (CIÉF)
• Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association (RMMLA)
• The American Association of Teachers of French
• Linguistic Circle of Manitoba and North Dakota (LCMND)
• Hawaii International Conference on Arts and the Humanities
• Member of the Review Committee for the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities
• Canadian Association of University and College Teachers of French (CAUCTF/APFUCC)Association des Professeurs de français des universités et collèges canadiens (APFUCC)

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