Raúl Ianes

Dr. Raúl Ianes has been a professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Miami University since 1993. He teaches Spanish and Portuguese language courses, various concentrated literature courses, as well as courses in Latin American Studies. Originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, Ianes completed his Baccalaureate from the Instituto Alfredo Vázquez Acevedo in Montevideo before moving to San Juan, Argentina to complete his Licenciatura (Bachelor’s) at the Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Once coming to the United States, Ianes completed his masters in linguistics at the University of Washington in Seattle and then specialized in literature at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he completed his Ph.D..

 

Life in Uruguay

Ianes was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. Having a multicultural and diverse background, he was born into a family of Italian immigrants, with the exception of his maternal grandfather being a Montevideo native. Throughout his early years, he grew up speaking Spanish in the home, while also being taught Italian, Venetian, and Portuguese.

 

“I am fluent in Italian and Portuguese, but at school, I was taught English and French.”

 

That is where he gained his love for books. In school, Ianes was able to take upper level Italian literature and history classes. He decided that after school he wanted to continue his education. 

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To Argentina and Beyond

Ianes continued studying while working, until a better job opportunity led him from Uruguay to the small town of San Juan in Argentina. 

 

“They have excellent grapes and wines. The vines are watered through channels that bring down the snow from the high Andes that separate it from Chile.”

 

While in San Juan, Ianes described it as enjoyable. He was able to work and study while also being able to care for his family. During this time, though, he also described Argentina as going through some “dark times.” During the 1980’s when he attended the Universidad Nacional de San Juan, roughly 30,000 people had disappeared in what would be named the Dirty War of Argentina (for more information on Argentina’s challenges during this time, see the Argentina country profile here).

 

“You saw some things. You heard some things.” he said.

 

In 1985, he was ecstatic to have an opportunity to come to the United States. After accepting, he completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Washington in Seattle. Soon after, he left for the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his Ph. D. in 1987. He applied and was accepted to work for Miami University in 1993.

 

Identity is “Instrumental”

Moving from one place to another can shape a person, whether it be in identity or new perspectives on the world. In Dr. Ianes’ case, it adds to his broader perspective on life in a general sense. When he goes back to Montevideo, he often sees how “Americanized” he is: from the way he dresses to the way that he speaks. 

 

“In a certain way, you’re always the same one [person]. It has nothing to do with identity, but everything to do with your culture and your perspectives”.

 

Dr. Ianes has visited multiple countries and his list continues to grow. He not only has his family back in Montevideo, but also family (a son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren) in France, whom he visits regularly.

 

“Hay padres que no quieren a sus hijos, pero todo abuelo adora a sus nietos”, he says. There are parents who might not love their children, but every grandparent adores their grandchildren.

 

While he loves both his children and grandchildren, he also loves meeting new people and experiencing new places.

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