Post summary
‘Regional Identity in Dialect: Examining Gaeltacht na nDéise in Bilingual Irish-English Lexicography (1904-1935)’
Applications are invited from candidates with the appropriate experience and qualifications to undertake a fully funded PhD research project on a full-time basis at South East Technology University (SETU) in the area of Irish language dialect and its lexicographical treatment in early twentieth century bilingual Irish-English lexicography.
Project Background
The overall aim of the proposed PhD study is to conduct a lexicographical analysis of the recording of the Gaeltacht na nDéise dialect in the period 1904-1935 through a corpus analysis of early twentieth century bilingual Irish-English/English-Irish dictionaries. This study engages in important research in the area of dialectology in Irish using lexicographical resources as a platform for analysis. Dialects are a distinctive feature of the Irish language and contribute significantly to the regional and national sociolinguistic identities. Their analysis in a lexicographical ambit is a novel area and one which holds distinct potential to contribute to the national research base in the areas of Irish language, dialectology and sociolinguistic identities.
At the core of this project is a discernible focus on Gaeltacht na nDéise and its lexicographical treatment in the period 1904-1935. To this end, the study sets out to achieve the following objectives:
. To collate all unique Gaeltacht na nDéise from the works of three lexicographers (Dinneen, Lane and McKenna) in five bilingual Irish-English dictionaries of the period: Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla 1904/1927 (Dinneen); English-Irish Dictionary 1904/1917 (Lane); and Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla 1935 [McKenna}
· To construct a lexical-dialectal framework categorising the Gaeltacht na nDéise language from the specified period for the purpose of examining it from three perspectives in the context of identity: language identity, regional identity and socio-cultural identity.
· To chart the diachronic changes in Gaeltacht na nDéise as a dialect in the period 1904-1935 with a view to its current existence, to inform Irish language planning into the future and to provide a unique dynamic resource for the state-funded regional language planning ceanneagraíochtaí (lead organisations) in Co. Waterford in terms of language preservation and development.
The scholarship will be of 4 years duration, providing a stipend to the successful scholar of €15,000 each year. A further €2,000 annually is allocated to cover materials, consumables and travel costs. In addition, an allowance of €4,500 per annum will be awarded to cover postgraduate tuition fees. Non-EU nationals will be charged at EU rates.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
· Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in Irish, or in relevant area (Education / Translation / Linguistics in which the Irish language element is a major component of the Degree).
Desirable
· A qualification in Linguistics/Applied Linguistics
or
· A qualification in Lexicography
or
· A level 9 qualification in Irish (Masters/Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent)
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
· A comprehensive knowledge of Irish language dialects, and in particular Gaeltacht na nDéise
Desirable
· A knowledge of the history of Irish lexicography, in particular, twentieth century bilingual Irish-English lexicography
Skills & Competencies
Essential
· Fluency in written and spoken Irish (level B2, or higher)
· Fluency in written and spoken English
· High level of academic writing skills in English and Irish
Desirable
· Strongly developed data analytical skills
· Competency in IT skills and document production
· Strong communication and presentation skills