Sociolinguistics PhD

With specialists exploring sociolinguistic issues in the Francophone, Hispanophone, Lusophone and Italophone world, as well as in North Africa and the Middle East, sociolinguistics research at the University of Liverpool enables you to explore a range of national and transnational perspectives on research into language and society. The programme’re home to a critical mass of researchers examining the linguistic landscape, asking questions around language in the public space, tackling themes of migration studies, and exploring regional and minority languages in France, Italy and the Middle East. the work is set against a context of language policy, language ideologies and linguistic legitimacy. Research topics The programme welcome research proposals that are in areas matching the expertise of the researchers. Potential themes of your research could include: Linguistic landscapes Language and education Language and migration Language and new media Linguistic nationalism New speakers Minority and regional languages Multilingualism in border areas The sociolinguistics of memorialisation Postcolonial sociolinguistics Writing systems. You’re also welcome to suggest your own theme for a potential research project. Some current and recent PhD topics include: Language choice, identity, language tensions, and language policy in the linguistic landscape of Tizi Ouzou, Algeria ‘Kiel povas Esperanto helpi aliajn minoritatajn lingvojn? Stam mo a vèder! How can Esperanto help other minority languages? Let’s find out!’ A sociolinguistic enquiry into the linguistic behaviours of Esperanto and Emilian. International Portuguese language promotion policies: a critical investigation of the discourses of Portugal, Brazil and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) (CPLP) Young speakers of Mexican indigenous languages: contesting language ideologies and policies A socio-cognitive approach to audiovisual translated texts: dubbing/subtitling in TV series (English/Italian) Regional languages in the linguistic landscape: the visibility and status of Occitan and Corsican in southern France Brand names in the linguistic landscape of Aqaba, Jordan Managing France’s regional languages: language policy in bilingual education in Alsace Investigating current language policy in Alicante: a case study Multilingualism in the linguistic landscape of urban Jordan. 100% of the research environment classified as 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) 4th in sector overall for research classified as 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) (Research Excellence Framework, 2021)