Linguistics in Modern Languages is a thriving research cluster, with a strong track record in attracting external funding (AHRC, British Academy and Leverhulme). It is made up of modern languages staff, postdoctoral researchers, and postgraduates working on a wide range of projects. Current research foci include contemporary and historical sociolinguistics (such as language attitudes and language/identity; language prescriptivism and standardization), multilingualism, media accessibility, and the history of linguistics and of language teaching.
Overview
We have particular expertise in sociolinguistics, multilingualism, language standardization, media accessibility, historical linguistics, history of language education, history of linguistic theory (including history of grammars and dictionaries), intercultural communication, and discourse analysis.
Expertise in our school covers French, German (and Dutch), Spanish & Portuguese, Russian and Slavonic languages. We also have expertise in Chinese and Italian, and a Centre for Translation and Comparative Cultural Studies.
We have particular expertise in sociolinguistics, language standardization, historical linguistics, history of language education, history of linguistic theory (including history of grammars and dictionaries), intercultural communication, and discourse analysis.
In addition to our funded projects we also collaborate with colleagues across the University through the Languages, Texts and Society Research Priority Area to understand how communication, languages and texts function and change in social, scientific and cultural contexts.
Activities
Our regular linguistics reading group meets every few weeks during semester, in addition to our research symposia, conferences, and public engagement events.
Over the past few years, many of our activities have been linked to our involvement in the AHRC-funded MEITS project (Multilingualism - Empowering Individuals, Transforming Societies, 2016-2020, Nottingham CI Nicola McLelland), and the research network on the history of language learning and teaching, the result of and AHRC research network (PI Nicola McLelland, 2012-2014).
Most recently (2020-21) our AHRC-funded project Language Teaching: Learning from the Past has been developing teacher-trainer materials to embed the history of language learning and teaching in teacher training. We continue to explore the sociolinguistics of multilingualism and of language standardization, and their real-world implications.
Significant results
Selected publications of the Linguistics in Modern Languages research cluster
- Pierre-Alexis Mével, Paul Tennent, Jo Robinson, 2023. inTRAlinea: Online Translation Journal.
- Pierre-Alexis Mével, Paul Tennent, Jo Robinson, 2022. . Journal of Audiovisual Translation. 5(2), 176-193
- Jiaye Wu, Nicola McLelland, Sarah Dauncey, 2022. . Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development.
- Ana Pano Alamán, Fabio Ruggiano, Olivia Walsh eds., 2021. .
- Nicola McLelland ed., 2021. .
- Olivia Walsh ed., 2021. In the Shadow of the Standard. Standard Language Ideology and Attitudes towards Non-Standard Varieties and Usages Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. (In Press.).
- Nicola McLelland, 2020. Women in the history of German language studies: “That subtle influence for which women are best suited”. In: AYRES-BENNETT, WENDY and SANSON, HELENA, eds., Women in the History of Linguistics Oxford. 193-217.
- Hui Zhao, Nicola McLelland and Leanne Henderson eds., 2020..
- Pierre-Alexis Mevel, 2020. Punctum. 6(1), 203-219.
- Pierre-Alexis Mevel, 2018. Atelier de Traduction. 29, 115-127.
- Pierre-Alexis Mevel and Dawn Cornelio, 2018. Traduction Terminologie Rédaction. 29(1), 139-160.
- Nicola McLelland and Richard Smith eds., 2018. Legenda.
- Nicola McLelland, 2018. Mining Foreign Language Teaching Manuals for the History of Pragmatics Journal of Historical Pragmatics. 19(1), 28-54.
- Nicola McLelland, 2018. The Language Learning Journal. 46(1), 6-16.
- Olivia Walsh, 2016. Les Chroniques de Langage and the Development of Linguistic Purism in Quebec, Nottingham French Studies. 55(2), 132-157.
- Olivia Walsh, 2016. Linguistic Purism: Language Attitudes in France and Quebec. John Benjamins.