Key research themes
1. How does plurilingualism conceptually and pedagogically differ from multilingualism, and what implications does linguistic research suggest for inclusive language education?
This theme examines the conceptual distinction between plurilingualism and multilingualism, emphasizing plurilingualism as a dynamic, holistic, and individual linguistic repertoire that transcends mere coexistence of multiple languages. It explores pedagogical and policy perspectives that embrace linguistic diversity as an asset, fostering mediation, plurilanguaging, and positive attitudes toward inclusivity in language learning and education. This insight is relevant to inclusive language use, as it advocates for recognizing and accommodating diverse linguistic competencies within societal and educational contexts.
2. What are the semantic and pragmatic challenges posed by language usage phenomena such as enantiosemy and inclusion of linguistic plurality, and how do these affect understanding, translation, and language inclusivity?
This research area focuses on semantic complexities like enantiosemy—where a single lexical form embodies contradictory meanings—and the nuanced use of pragmatic meaning in communication. Addressing these challenges is pivotal for inclusive language as they affect clarity, translation equivalencies, and appropriateness in discourse across diverse linguistic communities. Insights here inform how inclusive language must account for polysemy, context, and interpretation to ensure effective and equitable communication.
3. How do historical etymology and semantic shifts in languages (e.g., English Latinate vocabulary or Latin prefixes) inform our understanding of inclusivity and formality in language use?
This area investigates how inherited, borrowed, and semantically evolving lexical items contribute to hierarchical and cultural nuances influencing perceptions of formality, social status, and inclusivity in language. By analyzing Latinate vocabulary in English and Latin morphosemantic structures, scholars detail how linguistic choices convey meanings shaped by historical contexts, affecting inclusive language policies and intercultural communication.