A language that’s now dead is still very much alive at ULM.

The Egyptian language is dead, meaning it is no longer living and “is no longer productive.”

However, the language is still being taught by professors in schools across the country. Monica Bontty is one of them.

Bontty said the language is still used in the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt and in Coptic Churches around the world.

“There is even a Coptic Church in Gretna, LA,” said Bontty, associate history professor.

Bontty said her passion for ancient Egyptian history began at en early age. She grew up in a bilingual home and was always interested in languages and cultures.

“As a child I read books on ancient civilizations and languages and did very well in languages, history and anthropology in high school,” Bontty said.

Bontty also gives credit to those who taught her. She had professors who knew various languages very well.

“I was fortunate to have begun my studies with Professor John Callender, who spoke, read or wrote 35 languages,” said Bontty. “He made learning a language fun and easy.”

Bontty’s students see her way of teaching the same way.

“Dr. Bontty’s lecturing style is completely different from any other history professor I’ve had,” said Paige Davis, a senior history major. “She’s outgoing, enjoyable and you know she loves what she’s doing.”

Davis said it’s important for college professors to have the same attitude that Bontty has.

“Dr. Bontty really gets you into it and energized to want to learn it,” said Davis. “It’s not a class, it’s more of a hobby or interest.”

Nirali Patel agrees with Davis.

“The fact that she loves what she’s doing, it makes you more confident in what you’re doing,” said Patel, a sophomore secondary education major.

When Patel heard the class was being offered, she couldn’t pass it up.

“I love learning about ancient Egypt history so the fact they offered a class here, I was all in for it,” Patel said.

Patel said she looks forward to coming to Bontty’s class, even at eight in the morning.

Davis and Patel both want to learn other languages and more about the Egyptian language.

Bontty makes it her goal to make learning “fun and interactive,” and to introduce her class to the Egyptian language.

“What better way to learn about a culture than through its language?,” Bontty said.