Posted 10:06 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2025
Graduating senior translates 300-year old French fairytale, ‘The White Cat,’ for the modern English reader
Long before “Beauty and the Beast” and “Cinderella” became household names thanks to Disney, they were part of a vibrant literary tradition in 17th and 18th century France. While many fairytales like these were eventually translated, adapted, and popularized in English, others remained hidden in archives — unread and unknown to modern audiences.
UW–La Crosse senior Lauren LaLiberty is helping to change that. For her French capstone project, the English and French double major is translating “La Chatte Blanche” (The White Cat), a 125-page fairytale by Madame d’Aulnoy, published in 1698. The tale — rich with wit, wisdom and feline wordplay — tells the story of a prince who, in his quest to become king, takes guidance from a mysterious, enchanted cat with a complicated past.
“This story is kind of a mix between ‘Rapunzel’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” says LaLiberty. “We always hear about those classic tales, but it’s fun to go back to the roots and explore what stories might have inspired them.”
The enchanted cat in “La Chatte Blanche” carries a powerful moral: after being traded to fairies by her mother in exchange for fruit, a series of tragic events ensue. The story ends with a poignant poem, reminding mothers never to value riches over their own children.
LaLiberty says she chose the story for her translation project even before reading it in full. “I like cats,” she says with a smile. “And I could tell from the start that it was going to be fun.”
But the project turned out to be more than a lighthearted translation. It became a deep exploration of literary history, gender, and language. Written by a woman in an era when few female authors were recognized, “La Chatte Blanche” is part of a broader collection of tales by Madame d’Aulnoy that reflect the clever, moral, and imaginative storytelling of her time.
“Women were very active in France’s literary culture, but their contributions are often overlooked,” LaLiberty explains. “Madame d’Aulnoy’s writing plays with language, emphasizes wit, and shares moral lessons. She deserves more recognition.”
One of the greatest challenges of the project was preserving the playful puns and cultural references for English-speaking readers. That included footnotes explaining historical details and creative rewordings to keep the humor intact. For instance, d’Aulnoy’s phrase ma miaularde majesté — literally “my meowing majesty”— became “Meow’lady” in LaLiberty’s translation.
“It’s a lot of problem-solving,” she says. “Translation isn’t word-for-word. It’s about creating something that reflects the author’s intent while making sense for today’s readers.”
Dany Jacob, UWL assistant professor of French, says he is "amazed” at how LaLiberty was able to tackle such a massive project.
“What is not always clear to others is that this is a difficult text, not just because it is written in an older version of French that is harder for second language learners, but also because this story is a beautiful example of a more niche sociocultural circle known as the Précieuses,” he says. “I am very proud of how Lauren has given these women, ridiculed for their efforts to enhance French language, their voices back and making their stories accessible to an English-reading community.”
Outside the classroom, LaLiberty has been a dedicated member of the French program — serving as co-president of the French Club, tutoring students, serving as a conversation partner, and interning with Associate Professor Anna Keefe to help organize a French Film Festival.
She credits both Keefe and Jacob for helping her grow. “Dr. Keefe gave me opportunities to get involved in events with the internship. Dr. Jacob has been so helpful with the translation and thinking critically about word choices.”
As graduation approaches, LaLiberty reflects on how her studies in French and English have shaped her outlook.
“French translation may seem niche, but it really teaches you to see things from different perspectives,” she says. “You think more intentionally about how you communicate, and you learn to adapt — whether at work, at home, or in anywhere you go.”
After graduation, LaLiberty will begin a job in accounts receivable with Emplify Health in Onalaska. She plans to keep up her hobbies of reading and translation on the side.
But first, she’s savoring the final stretch of her college journey.
“It feels like the culmination of everything I’ve worked on — writing, language, time management, and holding myself to a high standard,” she says. “This isn’t just an assignment. It’s about transforming something that’s more than 300 years old into something meaningful for readers today.”