Ouachita professor Dr. Margarita Pintado presents at MLA convention
February 09, 2015 - Chelsea Whelpley
The Modern Language Association, considered the most prestigious conference for scholars
and teachers of modern languages, hosted its 130th annual convention in Vancouver,
Canada, in January. Dr. Margarita Pintado, assistant professor of Spanish at Ouachita
Baptist University, participated in two panels at the conference.
Describing the MLA conference as “the biggest conference and also the most competitive”
in its field, Dr. Pintado said, “It is really nice when your proposal is accepted
and you are able to present it to such a select audience. It was a great experience.
This is one of those rare contexts where you can learn, meet interesting people and
have fun while building a network.”
Pintado presented her paper, "The Question of Authenticity in Manuel Ramos Otero’s
La novelabingo," during the program “Exploring Experimental Latin American Texts since the 1960s.”
Pintado explored how Puerto Ricans are often viewed by others and themselves as a
group lacking a defined identity with a language and history of their own. She also
presided over “New Trends in Puerto Rican Literature,” a panel on Puerto Rican literature
and culture.
“Being selected to present at the MLA convention signifies that scholars recognize
Dr. Pintado as a valuable contributor to their discussions about language, art and
being human,” noted Dr. Doug Sonheim, chair of Ouachita’s Department of Language and
Literature. “At Ouachita, we know her mostly as a poet and teacher; acceptance at
MLA reminds us of her gifts as a researcher and writer.”
“Doing research is a great aspect of this profession,” Pintado said. “It is important
for me because it keeps my teaching updated and because I get the chance to think
deeply about a specific subject matter.”
Highlighting Pintado’s contributions to the department, Sonheim added, “She challenges
students and colleagues every day to think clearly about words and images, about how
we use languages to understand our lives, how language is our home.”
Pintado graduated from the Universidad de Puerto Rico in 2004, earning a bachelor’s
degree in journalism. In 2009, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from
Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and earned a Ph.D. in Spanish from Emory in 2012.
For more information about Ouachita’s Department of Language and Literature, contact
Dr. Doug Sonheim at [email protected] or (870) 245-5554.
By Chelsea Whelpley
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