William McMillan: From Minnesota to Brittany Through the Breton Language

Breizh Amerika Profiles: William McMillan

​William McMillan first became interested in Brittany as a middle-school student watching Stade Rennais matches to improve his French. That initial curiosity eventually led him to Université Rennes 2, where he conducted research on Breton-language education and decided to learn Breton himself.

Now living in Brest, William uses the language every day and studies how education, politics and social situations influence the ways younger people speak regional and minoritized languages.

​In our latest Breizh Amerika Profile, William discusses the challenges of learning Breton, the resources that helped him and the unexpected similarities he has discovered between Minnesota and Brittany.


Where are you from, and what brought you to Brittany? Why did you decide to learn Breton?

I’m from Minnesota in the United States. I grew up near Minneapolis, but I also spent time in northern Minnesota, where my family is from, on the shores of Lake Superior.
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Brittany has fascinated and inspired me for many years. I first discovered the region when I was still in middle school, watching Stade Rennais matches to improve my French. As I learned more about Brittany’s culture, people and languages, my interest continued to grow, especially in the Breton language.

Eventually, I began researching regional and minoritized languages and was given the opportunity to complete my master’s degree at Université Rennes 2, focusing on Breton-language education. Learning Breton became a natural step—not only to support my research, but also to better understand and respect the people and culture of Brittany.


Can you tell us about the research you've done on endangered languages?

Much of my research focuses on how education systems for endangered and regional languages are designed, and how they are shaped by political structures. I have studied several regional languages in France, including Breton, Corsican and Catalan, to better understand how history, culture and politics influence the way these languages are taught. I’m particularly interested in how different regions can learn from one another.

For my master’s research, I adapted a project I had previously conducted in Morocco and applied it to Brittany. I explored how middle and high school students use Breton in different social situations—for example, when speaking with friends compared to speaking with teachers—and how the topic of conversation influences their choice of language.

I also looked at how students perceived their use of Breton outside school, particularly in situations where they wanted to speak the language but felt unable to do so.


What challenges have you encountered while learning Breton? What resources have helped you the most?

Aside from mastering the mutations—where the first letter of a word changes depending on grammar—I would say the biggest challenge was simply finding opportunities to speak Breton before moving to Brest.

When I lived in Rennes, it was much harder to find Breton speakers and practice the language regularly. That’s actually one of the reasons I created my Instagram account: it gave me a way to use Breton every day.
Since moving to Brest, I’ve been able to speak Breton daily, which has made a huge difference.

For anyone interested in learning Breton, I highly recommend Desketa (desketa.bzh). It’s the Brittany Region’s free online learning platform and an excellent way to build a solid foundation before using the language in everyday life or taking classes. Organizations such as Sked, Mervent and Skol an Emsav also play an essential role in teaching Breton and supporting learners.


What has surprised you most about living in Brittany?

One of the things that has touched me most is how many similarities there are between Minnesota and Brittany.
Of course, both regions have beautiful coastlines, dramatic weather and spectacular natural landscapes. But the deeper similarities are found in the people.

Minnesotans and Bretons both have a strong desire to explore the world—you can find people from either place in the most unexpected corners of the globe. Yet wherever they go, they often develop an even stronger appreciation for their own identity and eventually feel drawn back home.

The love that both Minnesotans and Bretons have for their region, language and culture is something quite special. They are two peoples who are curious about the world, but who remain deeply connected to the place that shaped them.

Want to be featured in Breizh Amerika Profiles?

Through his research and daily use of Breton, William is creating a unique connection between Minnesota and Brittany while contributing to a better understanding of regional and minoritized languages.
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Are you building a connection between Brittany and North America—or do you know someone with a story to share? Contact Breizh Amerika to take part in a future Breizh Amerika Profile.

More resources:

What is it like for an English speaker to learn Breton?

​Discovering the Breton Language: A Glimpse into a Rich Celtic Heritage
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