Contact
Biography
I studied Linguistics with Spanish at the University of York, before completing an MA there in Phonetics and Phonology. I am currently working on a PhD with the School of English at the University of Nottingham, looking at place-name studies and language change and contact in Herefordshire.
Expertise Summary
Place-names of Britain (particularly of England and Wales); Linguistics (phonetic, phonological and orthographic change, language contact and interaction)
Teaching Summary
I have experience in tutoring and marking undergraduates in phonetics and phonology, and working with secondary school students on modern languages such as French, Spanish and German. I have… read more
Research Summary
My current research investigates the place-names of Herefordshire, in particular how they reflect language change, contact, and interaction between Welsh and English in a border region. Areas of… read more
I have experience in tutoring and marking undergraduates in phonetics and phonology, and working with secondary school students on modern languages such as French, Spanish and German. I have participated in public engagement projects at the University of Nottingham, including working with primary schools on the Vikings for Schools workshops, and the general public for the New Perspectives gallery tours.
I am interested in developing further knowledge of languages and history during late antiquity and the medieval period, particularly British and the Brittonic languages, Celtic languages more generally, the development of Welsh to the present-day, Old English, Anglo-Norman and medieval Latin. Skills in palaeography and knowledge of mythology, folklore and Old English and Old Norse literature are further interests to be developed.
Current Research
My current research investigates the place-names of Herefordshire, in particular how they reflect language change, contact, and interaction between Welsh and English in a border region. Areas of interest include translated names, phonological and orthographical change and adaptation, regional dialect and naming practices, and semantic development of place-name terminology. Landscape terminology is a particular interest, as is cross-linguistic comparison of the use of these terms.
Past Research
My MA research focused on the influence of the Anglo-Norman language on Middle English orthography, using the evidence of Berkshire place-names.
Future Research
In future research, I would like to further explore the place-name evidence for language change and interaction, particularly with P-Celtic or Brittonic languages such as Welsh, Cornish and Breton. Additionally, I am interested in the influence of the Anglo-Norman language on place-names, and how these names reflect orthographic and phonological changes and practices.