Language and Communication Studies came fifth in the UK with 74 per cent of its research rated 4* (world leading) or 3* (internationally excellent) in The Research Excellence Framework (REF2014), a major Government analysis of university research quality. The work we undertake within the field of Language and Communication Studies has successfully positioned us at the cutting edge of research within applied translation, intercultural communication and cross-cultural pragmatics.
Research Expertise
In line with UEA's tradition of interdisciplinary research, our research and supervision focus on three interrelated and complementary areas of enquiry:
Translating and Interpreting
We work on and welcome projects exploring new ways of addressing and studying translation and interpreting with an emphasis on ethics and empathy, and research directed to 'real world' translation practice in media, sports and other professional contexts (Baines, Black, Margrave, and Wilson). We are particularly interested in research on translation ethics and translation quality, linked to investigation of gaps in the provision of interpreting and translation in the UK (Filipovic). We have a particular interest in the growing practice of audio-visual translation, exploring: a) the politeness and intercultural communication aspects relevant to audio-visual translation (De Pablos-Ortega) and b) the issues of media and arts accessibility, audio-visual translation for children, and the reception of translated audio-visual content (Black).
Language, intercultural communication and cross-cultural pragmatics
Under this area of enquiry, we welcome projects that focus on communication practice in media, political, religious, educational and professional contexts with specific reference to cross- and inter-cultural variation.
Special expertise in this area includes: politeness, gender and language, historical linguistics and pragmatics, Ancient Egyptian philology, sociolinguistics, and widening participation in modern language education (Ridealgh); Relationship between structures and meanings, theoretical pragmatics, language in context, semantics-pragmatics interface, formal models of dialogue (Elder). We can also supervise on intercultural communication pedagogy and citizenship education (Yulita) and language, culture and politics, particularly in Latin America or within specific marginalised communities (Marsh).
Cross-cultural cognitive linguistics
We welcome projects focusing on the relationship between cognitive and psychological processes and language production and reception. This includes research in forensic linguistics and second language acquisition. To the extent that cognitive aspects bear on translation and interpreting practice, projects in this area may also be designed to address these concerns. Special expertise in this area includes: research of the effects of spatial movement on language formation and research on semantic categorisation in second language acquisition and bilingualism (Filipovic and Hijazo-Gascon).
Personal and professional development
The Arts and Humanities programme for postgraduate researchers will support you in developing your research skills, from the writing of the thesis to working within a wider academic environment, and from working as a professional academic to disseminating work to a wider public.
Website page: https://www.uea.ac.uk/lcs/research-degrees
Humanities Graduate School: https://www.uea.ac.uk/arts-humanities/graduate-school
Email: pgr.enquiries.admiss@uea.ac.uk