UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Daniel Zahn, a Penn State junior majoring in English, philosophy, and communication arts and sciences, recently participated in a linguistics research project in Bassila, Benin. The research focused on everyday language use, which consisted of interviewing local students on how many languages they spoke, when they used what language, and their attitudes toward different languages. Additionally, the students assisted in creating archival footage of the Anii traditions in the Anii language.
The enrichment experience showed Zahn, a Paterno Fellow, the power of his studies and made him realize the value of exploring the world beyond school. The experience gave him the opportunity to see the other side of research papers and how linguistics played out in real time. Since the research was in Benin, a Francophone country in West Africa, Zahn was able to utilize his French language skills to communicate with community members. Zahn also witnessed the diversity of languages in Benin, where he interacted with the native languages of Anii, Fon, and many others.
Financial support from the Career Enrichment Network in the College of the Liberal Arts made it possible for Zahn to conduct research in Benin. With the help of the staff at the Career Enrichment Network and the monetary support, Zahn was able to focus on his experience instead of how he would finance the research opportunity.