Linguistics

Sep 27, 2022

The Sprawl of Y’all

Recent M.A. in English graduate Brody McCurdy’s linguistics research examines why y’all is extending beyond the South. 

Dec 4, 2019

Storyteller Cadwell Turnbull Captures Readers with Debut Novel

Alumnus Cadwell Turnbull (M.A. in English; MFA ’15) is a science fiction and fantasy author. Learn more about his debut novel, "The Lesson," and hear what he values from his time at NC State. 

May 15, 2019

Walt Wolfram Accepted Into American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The linguistics professor joins a selective organization that recognizes leaders in various fields and disciplines. 

Jul 16, 2018

6 Expressions Say it All: Language Variation in the Tar Heel State

NC State linguist Walt Wolfram discusses six expressions that highlight North Carolina’s unique language tradition. 

Apr 17, 2018

How Memes Use Humor to Discredit African-American English

A recent study from linguistics graduate student Shalina Omar finds video memes can use humor to contribute to — and reinforce — negative views of black culture. 

Jul 31, 2017

Dialects Aren’t ‘Bad English’ — They’re Patterns

Graduate student Jessica Hatcher discusses the importance of educating teachers and others about language variation. 

May 4, 2017

Constructing Identity Among Italians at NC State

Using language as a window into their experiences, NC State graduate student and Fulbright fellow Cecilia Tomasatti conducted interviews with not only Italian students, but also faculty, about what it’s like to adapt to another country’s climate, culture and cuisine. 

May 4, 2017

Comparing Language in the Yucatan

It’s no secret that language and accents evolve over time. But what do those changes say about the speakers themselves? What can they tell us about identity? NC State graduate student Alex Hyler explored those questions while studying unique forms of Spanish in Yucatan, Mexico. 

Apr 20, 2017

Language, Gender and Disney Princesses

With billions of dollars in box office and retail sales, the films in Disney’s Princess collection have an immense reach. And while entertaining, their messages can also be influential in how children learn about social norms and behaviors. In this Q&A, NC State graduate student Karen Eisenhauer discusses her research on how language in the Disney Princess movies can depict and represent gender roles. 

Mar 16, 2017

The Importance of African-American Speech: a Q&A with Walt Wolfram

Linguistics scholar Walt Wolfram reflects on the importance of understanding and appreciating African-American speech — the subject of a new documentary, "Talking Black in America," produced by the Language and Life Project at NC State.