Key research themes
1. How is gender-inclusive language being institutionalized and contested within Romance languages beyond Spanish, particularly in Catalonia and Valencia?
This body of research investigates the development, institutional discourses, and sociopolitical dynamics surrounding gender-inclusive language reforms in Romance languages beyond Spanish, focusing specifically on Catalan and Valencian. Given the traditionally binary gender marking in Romance languages, this theme examines how language policy, activism, and public discourse engage with the inclusion of nonbinary identities through linguistic innovations such as neopronouns, addressing both supportive and resistance dynamics. It matters because Catalonia and Valencia represent multilingual contexts where language intersects with identity, politics, and social justice, and understanding these dynamics provides insight into broader mechanisms of linguistic change and inclusion.
2. What are the sociolinguistic and pedagogical challenges in reconciling inclusive language ideologies with language teaching and identity in bilingual/multilingual contexts?
This theme explores the intersection of inclusive language ideologies with educational practices and identity formation in bilingual or multilingual environments, particularly in Spanish-speaking and heritage language settings. It addresses how ideological conflicts, standard language norms, and sociopolitical factors affect language teaching approaches, learner attitudes, and identity affirmation. Understanding these challenges is critical for developing pedagogies that embrace linguistic diversity, foster critical language awareness, and facilitate the integration of inclusive language practices.
3. How do language processing and cognitive factors impact the acceptance and evolution of gender-neutral linguistic forms in Spanish-speaking populations?
This research area focuses on psycholinguistic and cognitive dimensions of processing gender-neutral language variants in Spanish, exploring how new morphological forms are comprehended and integrated into speakers’ mental grammars. It is essential for understanding the real-time cognitive costs and acceptance barriers that accompany linguistic innovations aimed at gender inclusivity, informing both linguistic theory and the practical implementation of inclusive language reforms.