Until this week, I thought being bilingual meant fluency in a second language—the ability to read, write, listen, and speak with ease. I was wrong. Someone who can do all of those things in two languages is actually biliterate. Being bilingual, on the other hand, simply means having the ability to speak in two languages.
I learned this distinction when the Ohio Wesleyan University Department of World Languages and Cultures certified my daughter as biliterate in French.
From the school's press release:
"Ohio Wesleyan University language students are now able to earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy, an internationally recognized micro-credential that enables them to verify their linguistic abilities when applying for jobs or graduate school. The university's Department of World Languages and Cultures began utilizing the third-party assessment this fall, with 19 students earning the 'functional fluency' biliteracy seal at the end of the semester. Andrea Colvin, Ph.D., chair of World Languages and Cultures, said students' earning the Global Seal of Biliteracy is 'a testament to their hard work, dedication, and passion for language learning.'"
Norah was one of eight students credentialed as biliterate in French. I don't know how many of those eight were also first-semester freshmen, but to be fair, she had 13 years of French education before starting college. All American schools should begin foreign language instruction in kindergarten—it's one of the greatest shortcomings of our education system.
Félicitations, Norah! Needless to say, I'm a very proud dad.
Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.
Navigating DEI Changes in 2025 — via Improve Your HR by Suzanne Lucas, the Evil HR Lady
So, Are Anti-Harassment Trainings Dead? (Spoiler Alert: Not Just Yet) — via Dan Schwartz's Connecticut Employment Law Blog
Bar associations could be targeted, Trump DEI order says, spurring response from 2 of them — via ABA Journal Daily News
While You Were Sleeping… President Trump Reshaped the EEOC and NLRB — via Eric Meyer's Employer Handbook Blog
Forget Gender Identity, EEOC Acting Chair Says, Agency's Mission Is Protecting Women At Work — via Joe's HR and Benefits Blog
Federal workers decry Trump attempt to force mass resignations as 'cruel joke' — via The Guardian
National Women's Soccer League policy on transgender athletes aided by FIFA and U.S. Soccer inaction — via Employment & Labor Insider
DeepSeek AI bans in the US have begun — via Boy Genius Report
Unlocking The Potential Of Generative AI For Lawyers: Red Flags And Best Practices — via Above the Law
Whole Foods workers challenge company's smoker fee — via HR Dive
Preventing Dishonesty in the Workplace — via HR Gazette
Distribution Franchise Reform Introduced in Ohio Senate — via Ohio Craft Brewers Association
How Dry January and non-alcoholic beer are reshaping the beverage market — via Craft Brewing Business