We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Milena Anfosso, Ph.D.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Milena below.
Milena, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Well, the majority of the things I do involve writing to some extent. The most obvious answer would be that I’ve been a writer all my life. Written expression has somehow always come naturally to me. But it takes a lot of practice.
As early as second grade, I remember keeping a secret journal in which I would write something new every day. Sometimes, it was an articulate and well-thought-out little essay. Sometimes, it was just a sentence as simple as, “Today I didn’t do anything special, so dear Diary, I’d better go to bed.” But at least I wrote something! Even if it was only one line, it was part of my commitment to it—every single day. Because, let’s be honest, writing can be hard. Most of the time, you must push yourself to write to completion. The romanticized portrayal of the “inspired writer” who fills pages with ease is not how it typically works. Continuing with my childhood persistence, I still feel compelled to sit down and write, even when I don’t feel like it. Writing is often the result of pushing yourself into it.
Since 2014, I have published over a dozen articles in Historical Linguistics across three languages (English, Italian, and French—yes, I’m multilingual!), but my journey in writing began well before these academic achievements. It started in the realm of poetry in Italian. My work, ‘Papaveri – Sibari (510 a.C.)’ [Poppies – Sybaris 510 BCE], earned the grand prize in a creative writing contest in Italy in 2010. This early success led to a publishing contract and the release of my poetry collection, ‘Deneb,’ in September 2011.
However, it was during the pandemic that my passion for creative writing reignited. I seized downtime to enrich my theoretical knowledge of creative writing techniques and apply them, predominantly in English, under the guidance of screenwriter Anna Elizabeth James and director Jonny Zeller. This rekindled inspiration has been productive, and I am excited to share my latest works soon. Currently, I am in the final editing phase of a YA Sci-Fi novel in English that I co-authored with my dear friend (and talented writer) Elisabetta Formisano.
Regrettably, in Italy, creative writing isn’t formally recognized as an academic discipline. However, I was fortunate to learn it from Loredana Dova, my creative writing teacher and an accomplished writer herself, during my teenage years. Her influence in shaping my development as both a reader and a writer was pivotal. She imparted a crucial lesson: first drafts are… well… rarely perfect. This realization prepares one for extensive editing, an integral part of the writing process.
She also taught me that, despite its challenges, seeking feedback is essential for improvement. You should choose a support network wisely—mentors and peers who provide constructive criticism while nurturing your creative potential. Initially, receiving feedback can be an emotional rollercoaster, often starting with frustration, followed by a phase of self-reflection. Eventually, this process leads to a newfound balance and enhances the quality of your writing.
Having experienced this journey myself, I understand that many possess the innate ability to craft compelling stories. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that writing is a continuous process that demands dedication, discipline, and humility. So, the best advice I can offer is simply to begin and persist in your writing endeavors. Keep writing!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
When I meet new people, it’s always challenging to answer the simple question, ‘What do you do?’ In fact, I have never fit into one box. Am I a creative scholar or a scholarly creative?
My interest in human language is the common thread connecting my Ph.D. in Historical Linguistics (more specifically, in Ancient Greek and Anatolian Languages), my passion for writing, and my ease of learning and translating between different languages. No wonder I have explored human language from every possible angle: from ancient languages to modern languages, from language as an object of investigation itself through the study of hardcore linguistics to language as a means of artistic expression through creative writing and literary criticism. I think this uncommon mix of an analytical mindset and a creative penchant is what sets me apart from others.
My passion for language has led to proficiency in Italian, English, French, and Latin-American Spanish. Growing up in Coazzolo, a small, 300-person village in Northern Italy, I never anticipated that learning these languages would open up a world of opportunities. This linguistic foundation enabled me to pursue my Ph.D. at Sorbonne University in Paris. Subsequently, I was honored with the Publicis Group’s Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet Foundation Award ‘Prix de la Vocation,’ which prompted my move to Los Angeles for a Visiting Scholar position at UCLA. The City of Angels has since become my beloved home. Even when I received a fellowship in Hellenic Studies at Harvard University, I remained based in Los Angeles due to the pandemic.
As a researcher, writing has always been my forte, allowing me the privilege of being a published author at an early age. In contrast, public speaking presented a significant challenge, evoking both fear and apprehension. Yet, it was an integral part of my career. It has taken an immense amount of practice, and I am not perfect by any means, but I have at least grown to enjoy it. In fact, the best part of attending international conferences has been the opportunity to travel! Thanks to my speaking engagements, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to visit numerous new countries, broadening my experiences and perspectives. This aspect provided a major incentive for me to enhance my public speaking skills.
Academic career aside, through my small business, ‘Dr. Milena Anfosso,’ I offer a diverse range of linguistic services. These include linguistic consultations for documentaries, films, and other interdisciplinary projects that require expertise in ancient languages or cultural awareness. For instance, I served as the linguistic consultant for the documentary ‘The Last Rocketman’ (working title, currently in production), directed by Jonny Zeller, where I provided expert insights to ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance. I also translated portions of the English script into French, Italian, and Latin-American Spanish, enabling native-speaker actors to perform them authentically. My translation work, however, extends beyond scripts; I also handle various translation projects, spanning fiction and non-fiction across multiple language pairs. One particularly enjoyable project involved translating alumni’s and famous personalities’ speeches from English into Spanish during live broadcasts of the 2022 and 2023 Commencement Ceremonies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. A highlight of this project was live translating Questlove’s speech—yes, that Questlove—as he received an honorary Ph.D. degree! Additionally, I undertake line and developmental editing for non-fiction works, focusing on linguistic precision, clarity, coherence, and logical flow. This year, for example, I edited over a thousand blog post articles for an online publication dedicated to scientific dissemination. In general, I enjoy assisting clients with their diverse linguistic and writing projects, bringing my expertise and passion to each undertaking.
In my professional journey, above all in academia, I have encountered sexism several times, and I had the courage to expose it. That is why my experience fuels my commitment to combating discrimination faced by minorities, especially women, in academia and professional spheres. This dedication has not only shaped my personal and professional ethos but has also led to recognition in international media. I have been featured in prominent publications and channels such as Cosmopolitan Italy, La Repubblica, La Stampa, TV7 Andalucía, and more, highlighting my efforts and contributions in these important areas.
More recently, journalist Elisabetta Testa included my story from Coazzolo to Los Angeles in a book entitled ‘Storie di Orgoglio Astigiano’ ([Stories of Asti’s Pride] Editrice Tipografia Baima Ronchetti, 2023), which profiles eminent personalities from various fields who are originally from the province of Asti in Northern Italy, where my small village is located.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
If I were to reflect on my journey and pinpoint a moment that truly tested my resilience, it would undoubtedly be the period in 2020, the tumultuous year of the pandemic, during which I navigated the complex process of obtaining my Green Card for Exceptional Abilities with a National Interest Waiver.
The path to securing this Green Card was fraught with challenges. It involved engaging an immigration lawyer, preparing a detailed petition for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and compiling a comprehensive dossier. This dossier had to showcase my professional achievements, including scientific publications, participation in international conferences, expert opinions, media attention, endorsements from globally recognized experts, and more. Of course, even a perfect dossier is still subject to the discretion of the officer who processes it.
Little did I know that, as I embarked on this daunting task in late February 2020, the world would brace itself for a pandemic of unprecedented scale. Holding a J-1 Visa as a scholar was no longer sufficient to ensure my stay in the United States. The already precarious situation was exacerbated by the tightening immigration restrictions of the Trump administration. Every day, I faced the harrowing possibility of having to leave Los Angeles, a city I had come to love and had called home since 2016. It was a choice between securing my Green Card or returning to Europe. Of course, I put every single effort into obtaining the Green Card.
Despite the overwhelming odds and challenges posed by closed embassies, shuttered businesses, and restricted international travel, my dedication remained steadfast. After several months of enduring daily stomachaches, by August 2020, a significant milestone was reached—my application was successfully processed. This achievement was more than just legal recognition of my professional stature; it was evidence of my unwavering perseverance and mental fortitude.
The emotional strain of those months is an experience I would not wish on anyone. Yet, it has immensely strengthened my resolve, and it serves as a powerful reminder that resilience and hard work can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Now, as a Green Card holder, I look back at those tumultuous times not only with relief but also with pride for having surmounted one of the most challenging phases of my life.
Have you ever had to pivot?
For years, I was deeply immersed in academic research, contributing through various publications and by speaking at international conferences. While this work was absolutely fulfilling, I gradually realized that another side of the academic work, that is, teaching, did not resonate with me as much as I had hoped. My passion lay in the discipline itself and in the thrill of uncovering new insights through my research. Nothing equals that rush of adrenaline that comes when you decipher an inscription that no one before you could penetrate, or construct a new etymology that suddenly illuminates an entire family of words. Yet, the prospect of being a traditional instructor didn’t align with my aspirations, a challenging realization since pure research positions do not exist in the Humanities.
This awareness dawned on me slowly, particularly as I observed my colleagues eagerly pursuing academic roles across the country and abroad. But my deep affection for Los Angeles—a city teeming with creative energy and opportunities—outweighed the allure of even the most prestigious institutions elsewhere. I didn’t want to leave the City of Angels, its swaying palm trees, my favorite al pastor tacos, and the sunny days I used to spend barefooted at the beach. Meanwhile, I came to the stark realization that the academic environment was detrimental to me also because it stifled a crucial aspect of my identity: my creativity.
This realization prompted me to reignite my passion for creative writing, a field I had delved into during my teens and early twenties. I discovered that my expertise in linguistics, combined with my natural writing talent, could create a unique fusion of creative expression and academic rigor. I have also rekindled my deep love for music and singing. These passions have been strong since my childhood but were somewhat dampened by a close-minded music instructor due to my extreme shyness, which held me back from performing. Little did he know that, many years later, I would be trained in one of the most challenging public speaking arenas: academia. This experience made singing in front of an audience feel much easier. After intense vocal performance training with classical singer Elizabeth Laurence while living in Paris, I now find joy in performing for family and friends at weddings and other gatherings.
Embracing this new direction in my life, in 2022, I decided to launch my own business. This venture not only allowed me to handpick projects that resonated with my interests but also marked the beginning of a profound journey of self-discovery. Along this path, I’ve embraced honesty with myself more than ever before. Previously, focusing solely on my analytical abilities led to severe consequences, including major depression and suicidal thoughts. I could not allow that anymore. And a recent battle with a serious health condition further reinforced a crucial lesson: life is too short to spend in pursuits that don’t wholly fulfill me.
Today, I stand at an exciting crossroads in my career. The journey ahead is still unfolding, and while its destination is unknown, the exploration itself is invigorating. Every new venture is a step in understanding my true self and carving a path that aligns with my deepest passions and values. We must acknowledge that, as human beings, we are not static entities; rather, we are ever-evolving, fluid creatures. The deeper we delve into understanding ourselves, the more we are likely to encounter surprising facets of our nature. It is essential to accept and embrace every aspect of our souls, as this acceptance is crucial in leading an authentic life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.milenanfosso.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.milenanfosso/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milena.anfosso
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milena-anfosso/
Image Credits
Madison Truscan Efrem Zanchettin Jonny Zeller