Linguistics

Current research is focused on topics including discourse analysis, language variation and change, language attitudes, language learning (both as a child and an adult), bilingualism, and the linguistic ecology of Scotland.

We are open to discussing all potential projects with applicants, including the possibility of undertaking these via Distance Learning.

Our Research

Dr William Barras

Interests include sociolinguistics, dialectology, phonological theory and sociophonetic research to trace change across the lifespan of an individual speaker.

Dr Agni Connor

Interests look at individual differences in second language learning looking at the detail of how second languages are learned by memory, motivation, collocation, and the positive psychology involved. Dr Connor researches TESOL, wellbeing in EFL education, mindfulness and second language training, and mindfulness training in language teacher training.

Dr Elspeth Edelstein

Interests include morphosyntactic variation, first language acquisition, and novel approaches to determining grammaticality.

Dr Tania Fahey Palma

Interests include Corpus Linguistics, Professional Communication, Intercultural Communication, Healthcare Discourse, Novice Professional Communication, Discourse Identity and Pragmatics

Professor Robert Millar

Interests lie in modern Scots dialectology, lexical variation and change, language contact, the history of the English language and the sociology of language.

When you leave University, you will find that a documented knowledge of language and linguistics will also stand you in good stead with prospective employers. This is especially true if you choose a career in the media, advertising and marketing, information and communication technology, publishing, language teaching and health-related professions such as speech and language therapy or work with blind or deaf people.