Betsy J. Kerr is an Associate Professor of French at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She received her Ph.D. in French linguistics from Indiana University and has published in the areas of French syntax and pragmatics, specializing in the analysis of spoken French discourse. At the University of Minnesota, Professor Kerr (formerly Barnes) teaches courses in French language and linguistics. She also serves as advisor to the director of the Lower Division French Program, a position she has held for many years.