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211 Research Topics in Linguistics To Get Top Grades

research topics in linguistics

Many people find it hard to decide on their linguistics research topics because of the assumed complexities involved. They struggle to choose easy research paper topics for English language too because they think it could be too simple for a university or college level certificate.

All that you need to learn about Linguistics and English is sprawled across syntax, phonetics, morphology, phonology, semantics, grammar, vocabulary, and a few others. To easily create a top-notch essay or conduct a research study, you can consider this list of research topics in English language below for your university or college use. Note that you can fine-tune these to suit your interests.

Linguistics Research Paper Topics

If you want to study how language is applied and its importance in the world, you can consider these Linguistics topics for your research paper. They are:

  • An analysis of romantic ideas and their expression amongst French people
  • An overview of the hate language in the course against religion
  • Identify the determinants of hate language and the means of propagation
  • Evaluate a literature and examine how Linguistics is applied to the understanding of minor languages
  • Consider the impact of social media in the development of slangs
  • An overview of political slang and its use amongst New York teenagers
  • Examine the relevance of Linguistics in a digitalized world
  • Analyze foul language and how it’s used to oppress minors
  • Identify the role of language in the national identity of a socially dynamic society
  • Attempt an explanation to how the language barrier could affect the social life of an individual in a new society
  • Discuss the means through which language can enrich cultural identities
  • Examine the concept of bilingualism and how it applies in the real world
  • Analyze the possible strategies for teaching a foreign language
  • Discuss the priority of teachers in the teaching of grammar to non-native speakers
  • Choose a school of your choice and observe the slang used by its students: analyze how it affects their social lives
  • Attempt a critical overview of racist languages
  • What does endangered language means and how does it apply in the real world?
  • A critical overview of your second language and why it is a second language
  • What are the motivators of speech and why are they relevant?
  • Analyze the difference between the different types of communications and their significance to specially-abled persons
  • Give a critical overview of five literature on sign language
  • Evaluate the distinction between the means of language comprehension between an adult and a teenager
  • Consider a native American group and evaluate how cultural diversity has influenced their language
  • Analyze the complexities involved in code-switching and code-mixing
  • Give a critical overview of the importance of language to a teenager
  • Attempt a forensic overview of language accessibility and what it means
  • What do you believe are the means of communications and what are their uniqueness?
  • Attempt a study of Islamic poetry and its role in language development
  • Attempt a study on the role of Literature in language development
  • Evaluate the Influence of metaphors and other literary devices in the depth of each sentence
  • Identify the role of literary devices in the development of proverbs in any African country
  • Cognitive Linguistics: analyze two pieces of Literature that offers a critical view of perception
  • Identify and analyze the complexities in unspoken words
  • Expression is another kind of language: discuss
  • Identify the significance of symbols in the evolution of language
  • Discuss how learning more than a single language promote cross-cultural developments
  • Analyze how the loss of a mother tongue affect the language Efficiency of a community
  • Critically examine how sign language works
  • Using literature from the medieval era, attempt a study of the evolution of language
  • Identify how wars have led to the reduction in the popularity of a language of your choice across any country of the world
  • Critically examine five Literature on why accent changes based on environment
  • What are the forces that compel the comprehension of language in a child
  • Identify and explain the difference between the listening and speaking skills and their significance in the understanding of language
  • Give a critical overview of how natural language is processed
  • Examine the influence of language on culture and vice versa
  • It is possible to understand a language even without living in that society: discuss
  • Identify the arguments regarding speech defects
  • Discuss how the familiarity of language informs the creation of slangs
  • Explain the significance of religious phrases and sacred languages
  • Explore the roots and evolution of incantations in Africa

Sociolinguistic Research Topics

You may as well need interesting Linguistics topics based on sociolinguistic purposes for your research. Sociolinguistics is the study and recording of natural speech. It’s primarily the casual status of most informal conversations. You can consider the following Sociolinguistic research topics for your research:

  • What makes language exceptional to a particular person?
  • How does language form a unique means of expression to writers?
  • Examine the kind of speech used in health and emergencies
  • Analyze the language theory explored by family members during dinner
  • Evaluate the possible variation of language based on class
  • Evaluate the language of racism, social tension, and sexism
  • Discuss how Language promotes social and cultural familiarities
  • Give an overview of identity and language
  • Examine why some language speakers enjoy listening to foreigners who speak their native language
  • Give a forensic analysis of his the language of entertainment is different to the language in professional settings
  • Give an understanding of how Language changes
  • Examine the Sociolinguistics of the Caribbeans
  • Consider an overview of metaphor in France
  • Explain why the direct translation of written words is incomprehensible in Linguistics
  • Discuss the use of language in marginalizing a community
  • Analyze the history of Arabic and the culture that enhanced it
  • Discuss the growth of French and the influences of other languages
  • Examine how the English language developed and its interdependence on other languages
  • Give an overview of cultural diversity and Linguistics in teaching
  • Challenge the attachment of speech defect with disability of language listening and speaking abilities
  • Explore the uniqueness of language between siblings
  • Explore the means of making requests between a teenager and his parents
  • Observe and comment on how students relate with their teachers through language
  • Observe and comment on the communication of strategy of parents and teachers
  • Examine the connection of understanding first language with academic excellence

Language Research Topics

Numerous languages exist in different societies. This is why you may seek to understand the motivations behind language through these Linguistics project ideas. You can consider the following interesting Linguistics topics and their application to language:

  • What does language shift mean?
  • Discuss the stages of English language development?
  • Examine the position of ambiguity in a romantic Language of your choice
  • Why are some languages called romantic languages?
  • Observe the strategies of persuasion through Language
  • Discuss the connection between symbols and words
  • Identify the language of political speeches
  • Discuss the effectiveness of language in an indigenous cultural revolution
  • Trace the motivators for spoken language
  • What does language acquisition mean to you?
  • Examine three pieces of literature on language translation and its role in multilingual accessibility
  • Identify the science involved in language reception
  • Interrogate with the context of language disorders
  • Examine how psychotherapy applies to victims of language disorders
  • Study the growth of Hindi despite colonialism
  • Critically appraise the term, language erasure
  • Examine how colonialism and war is responsible for the loss of language
  • Give an overview of the difference between sounds and letters and how they apply to the German language
  • Explain why the placement of verb and preposition is different in German and English languages
  • Choose two languages of your choice and examine their historical relationship
  • Discuss the strategies employed by people while learning new languages
  • Discuss the role of all the figures of speech in the advancement of language
  • Analyze the complexities of autism and its victims
  • Offer a linguist approach to language uniqueness between a Down Syndrome child and an autist
  • Express dance as a language
  • Express music as a language
  • Express language as a form of language
  • Evaluate the role of cultural diversity in the decline of languages in South Africa
  • Discuss the development of the Greek language
  • Critically review two literary texts, one from the medieval era and another published a decade ago, and examine the language shifts

Linguistics Essay Topics

You may also need Linguistics research topics for your Linguistics essays. As a linguist in the making, these can help you consider controversies in Linguistics as a discipline and address them through your study. You can consider:

  • The connection of sociolinguistics in comprehending interests in multilingualism
  • Write on your belief of how language encourages sexism
  • What do you understand about the differences between British and American English?
  • Discuss how slangs grew and how they started
  • Consider how age leads to loss of language
  • Review how language is used in formal and informal conversation
  • Discuss what you understand by polite language
  • Discuss what you know by hate language
  • Evaluate how language has remained flexible throughout history
  • Mimicking a teacher is a form of exercising hate Language: discuss
  • Body Language and verbal speech are different things: discuss
  • Language can be exploitative: discuss
  • Do you think language is responsible for inciting aggression against the state?
  • Can you justify the structural representation of any symbol of your choice?
  • Religious symbols are not ordinary Language: what are your perspective on day-to-day languages and sacred ones?
  • Consider the usage of language by an English man and someone of another culture
  • Discuss the essence of code-mixing and code-switching
  • Attempt a psychological assessment on the role of language in academic development
  • How does language pose a challenge to studying?
  • Choose a multicultural society of your choice and explain the problem they face
  • What forms does Language use in expression?
  • Identify the reasons behind unspoken words and actions
  • Why do universal languages exist as a means of easy communication?
  • Examine the role of the English language in the world
  • Examine the role of Arabic in the world
  • Examine the role of romantic languages in the world
  • Evaluate the significance of each teaching Resources in a language classroom
  • Consider an assessment of language analysis
  • Why do people comprehend beyond what is written or expressed?
  • What is the impact of hate speech on a woman?
  • Do you believe that grammatical errors are how everyone’s comprehension of language is determined?
  • Observe the Influence of technology in language learning and development
  • Which parts of the body are responsible for understanding new languages
  • How has language informed development?
  • Would you say language has improved human relations or worsened it considering it as a tool for violence?
  • Would you say language in a black populous state is different from its social culture in white populous states?
  • Give an overview of the English language in Nigeria
  • Give an overview of the English language in Uganda
  • Give an overview of the English language in India
  • Give an overview of Russian in Europe
  • Give a conceptual analysis on stress and how it works
  • Consider the means of vocabulary development and its role in cultural relationships
  • Examine the effects of Linguistics in language
  • Present your understanding of sign language
  • What do you understand about descriptive language and prescriptive Language?

List of Research Topics in English Language

You may need English research topics for your next research. These are topics that are socially crafted for you as a student of language in any institution. You can consider the following for in-depth analysis:

  • Examine the travail of women in any feminist text of your choice
  • Examine the movement of feminist literature in the Industrial period
  • Give an overview of five Gothic literature and what you understand from them
  • Examine rock music and how it emerged as a genre
  • Evaluate the cultural association with Nina Simone’s music
  • What is the relevance of Shakespeare in English literature?
  • How has literature promoted the English language?
  • Identify the effect of spelling errors in the academic performance of students in an institution of your choice
  • Critically survey a university and give rationalize the literary texts offered as Significant
  • Examine the use of feminist literature in advancing the course against patriarchy
  • Give an overview of the themes in William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”
  • Express the significance of Ernest Hemingway’s diction in contemporary literature
  • Examine the predominant devices in the works of William Shakespeare
  • Explain the predominant devices in the works of Christopher Marlowe
  • Charles Dickens and his works: express the dominating themes in his Literature
  • Why is Literature described as the mirror of society?
  • Examine the issues of feminism in Sefi Atta’s “Everything Good Will Come” and Bernadine Evaristos’s “Girl, Woman, Other”
  • Give an overview of the stylistics employed in the writing of “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernadine Evaristo
  • Describe the language of advertisement in social media and newspapers
  • Describe what poetic Language means
  • Examine the use of code-switching and code-mixing on Mexican Americans
  • Examine the use of code-switching and code-mixing in Indian Americans
  • Discuss the influence of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” on satirical literature
  • Examine the Linguistics features of “Native Son” by Richard Wright
  • What is the role of indigenous literature in promoting cultural identities
  • How has literature informed cultural consciousness?
  • Analyze five literature on semantics and their Influence on the study
  • Assess the role of grammar in day to day communications
  • Observe the role of multidisciplinary approaches in understanding the English language
  • What does stylistics mean while analyzing medieval literary texts?
  • Analyze the views of philosophers on language, society, and culture

English Research Paper Topics for College Students

For your college work, you may need to undergo a study of any phenomenon in the world. Note that they could be Linguistics essay topics or mainly a research study of an idea of your choice. Thus, you can choose your research ideas from any of the following:

  • The concept of fairness in a democratic Government
  • The capacity of a leader isn’t in his or her academic degrees
  • The concept of discrimination in education
  • The theory of discrimination in Islamic states
  • The idea of school policing
  • A study on grade inflation and its consequences
  • A study of taxation and Its importance to the economy from a citizen’s perspectives
  • A study on how eloquence lead to discrimination amongst high school students
  • A study of the influence of the music industry in teens
  • An Evaluation of pornography and its impacts on College students
  • A descriptive study of how the FBI works according to Hollywood
  • A critical consideration of the cons and pros of vaccination
  • The health effect of sleep disorders
  • An overview of three literary texts across three genres of Literature and how they connect to you
  • A critical overview of “King Oedipus”: the role of the supernatural in day to day life
  • Examine the novel “12 Years a Slave” as a reflection of servitude and brutality exerted by white slave owners
  • Rationalize the emergence of racist Literature with concrete examples
  • A study of the limits of literature in accessing rural readers
  • Analyze the perspectives of modern authors on the Influence of medieval Literature on their craft
  • What do you understand by the mortality of a literary text?
  • A study of controversial Literature and its role in shaping the discussion
  • A critical overview of three literary texts that dealt with domestic abuse and their role in changing the narratives about domestic violence
  • Choose three contemporary poets and analyze the themes of their works
  • Do you believe that contemporary American literature is the repetition of unnecessary themes already treated in the past?
  • A study of the evolution of Literature and its styles
  • The use of sexual innuendos in literature
  • The use of sexist languages in literature and its effect on the public
  • The disaster associated with media reports of fake news
  • Conduct a study on how language is used as a tool for manipulation
  • Attempt a criticism of a controversial Literary text and why it shouldn’t be studied or sold in the first place

Finding Linguistics Hard To Write About?

With these topics, you can commence your research with ease. However, if you need professional writing help for any part of the research, you can scout here online for the best research paper writing service.

There are several expert writers on ENL hosted on our website that you can consider for a fast response on your research study at a cheap price.

As students, you may be unable to cover every part of your research on your own. This inability is the reason you should consider expert writers for custom research topics in Linguistics approved by your professor for high grades.

Educational Research Topics

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Is boredom a source of noise and/or a confound in behavioral science research?

Behavioral researchers tend to study behavior in highly controlled laboratory settings to minimize the effects of potential confounders. Yet, while doing so, the artificial setup itself might unintentionally introduce noise or confounders, such as boredom. In this perspective, we draw upon theoretical and empirical evidence to make the case that (a) some experimental setups are likely to induce boredom in participants, (b) the degree of boredom induced might differ between individuals as a function of differences in trait boredom, (c) boredom can impair participants’ attention, can make study participation more effortful, and can increase the urge to do something else (i.e., to disengage from the study). Most importantly, we argue that some participants might adjust their behavior because they are bored. Considering boredom’s potential for adding noise to data, or for being an unwanted confound, we discuss a set of recommendations on how to control for and deal with the occurrence and effects of boredom in behavioral science research.

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research topics on language

Exploration of the social and philosophical underpinning of ‘the patient’—what this means for people with a long-term condition

Should healthcare professionals use the term ‘patient’? A patient is a social construct, in a biomedical model, in which each actor has their role to play. This model has been criticised as belonging to an era of medical hegemony and (mis)represents an individual seeking healthcare as one who is simply a passive participant and recipient of care. The ‘Language Matters’ campaign, for people living with diabetes, has sought to address the role of language in interactions between healthcare providers. A key point raised in the campaign is whether someone who feels well, but has ongoing healthcare input, should be referred to as a patient? In this article, we address the concept of a patient and how its use can belie a particular mindset (or ‘discourse’) in which power is established in a relationship and can lead to individuals being defined by their condition. However, for some linguistic communities (such as nurses and doctors), a patient may be considered less as one over whom they have dominion, but rather someone for whom they have specific responsibilities and duty of care. Drawing upon the philosophical theories of language—that the meaning and inference of a word is dependent on its use—we argue that the context in which use of the term patient occurs is crucial. Without more fundamental cultural disruption of the biomedical model, word substitution, in itself, will not change perception.

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The usefulness of ChatGPT for psychotherapists and patients

ChatGPT is a chatbot based on a large language model. Its application possibilities are extensive, and it is freely accessible to all people, including psychotherapists and individuals with mental illnesses. Some blog posts about the possible use of ChatGPT as a psychotherapist or as a supplement to psychotherapy already exist. Based on three detailed chats, the author analyzed the chatbot’s responses to psychotherapists seeking assistance, to patients looking for support between psychotherapy sessions, during their psychotherapists’ vacations, and to people suffering from mental illnesses who are not yet in psychotherapy. The results suggest that ChatGPT offers an interesting complement to psychotherapy and an easily accessible, good (and currently free) place to go for people with mental-health problems who have not yet sought professional help and have no psychotherapeutic experience. The information is, however, one-sided, and in any future regulation of AI it must also be made clear that the proposals are not only insufficient as a psychotherapy substitute, but also have a bias that favors certain methods while not even mentioning other approaches that may be more helpful for some people.

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130+ Original Linguistics Research Topics: Ideas To Focus On

Linguistics research topics

Linguistics is an exciting course to learn. Unfortunately, writing a research paper or essay or write my thesis in linguistics is not as easy. Many students struggle to find a good research topic to write about. Finding a good research topic is crucial because it is the foundation of your paper. It will guide your research and dictate what you write.

Creative Language Research Topics

Argumentative research titles about language, english language research topics for stem students, social media research topics about language, the best quantitative research topics about language, more creative sociolinguistics research topics, research topics in english language education for students, top thesis topics in language, creative language and gender research topics, language education research topics on social issues, research title about language acquisition.

Most students turn to the internet to find research paper topics. Sadly, most sources provide unoriginal and basic topics. For this reason, this article provides some creative sample research topics for English majors.

Linguistics is a fascinating subject with so many research topic options. Check out the following creative research topics in language

  • How you can use linguistic patterns to locate migration paths
  • Computers and their effect on language creation
  • The internet and its impacts on modern language
  • Has text messages helped create a new linguistic culture?
  • Language and change; how social changes influence language development
  • How language changes over time
  • How effective is non-verbal communication in communicating emotions?
  • Verbal communication and emotional displays: what is the link?
  • The negative power of language in internet interactions
  • How words change as society develops
  • Is the evolution of languages a scientific concept?
  • Role of technology in linguistics

Argumentative essay topics should state your view on a subject so you can create content to defend the view and convince others that it is logical and well-researched. Here are some excellent language research titles examples

  • Society alters words and their meanings over time
  • Children have a better grasp of new language and speech than adults
  • Childhood is the perfect time to develop speech
  • Individuals can communicate without a shared language
  • Learning more than one language as a child can benefit individuals in adulthood
  • Elementary schools should teach students a second language
  • Language acquisition changes at different growth stages
  • The impact of technology on linguistics
  • Language has significant power to capitalize on emotions
  • The proper use of language can have positive impacts on society

Research topics for STEM students do not differ much from those for college and high school students. However, they are slightly more targeted. Find an excellent research title about language for your paper below:

  • How does language promote gender differences?
  • Music and language evolution: the correlation
  • Slang: development and evolution in different cultures
  • Can language create bonds among cross-cultural societies?
  • Formal vs informal language: what are the differences?
  • Age and pronunciation: what is the correlation?
  • How languages vary across STEM subjects
  • Are STEM students less proficient in languages?
  • The use of language in the legal sector
  • The importance of non-verbal communication and body language
  • How politeness is perceived through language choices and use
  • The evolution of English through history

Did you know you can find excellent social media research topics if you do it right? Check out the following social media language research titles:

  • The role of the internet in promoting language acquisition
  • A look at changes in languages since social media gained traction
  • How social media brings new language
  • How effective are language apps in teaching foreign languages?
  • The popularity of language applications among learners
  • A study of the impact of the internet on the spreading of slang
  • Social media as a tool for promoting hate language
  • Free speech vs hate speech: what is the difference?
  • How social media platforms can combat hate language propagation
  • How can social media users express emotions through written language?
  • Political censorship and its impact on the linguistics applied in the media
  • The differences between social media and real-life languages

A language research title can be the foundation of your quantitative research. Find some of the best examples of research topics for English majors here:

  • Language barriers in the healthcare sector
  • What percentage of kids below five struggle with languages?
  • Understanding the increase in multilingual people
  • Language barriers and their impact on effective communication
  • Social media and language: are language barriers existent in social media?
  • Bilingualism affects people’s personalities and temperaments
  • Can non-native teachers effectively teach local students the English language?
  • Bilingualism and its impact on social perceptions
  • The new generative grammar concept: an in-depth analysis
  • Racist language: its history and impacts
  • A look into examples of endangered languages
  • Attitudes toward a language and how it can impact language acquisition

You can choose a research topic about language based on social issues, science concerns like biochemistry topics , and much more. Sociolinguistics is the study of the correlation between language and society and the application of language in various social situations. Here are some excellent research topics in sociolinguistics:

  • An analysis of how sociolinguistics can help people understand multi-lingual language choices
  • An analysis of sociolinguistics through America’s color and race background
  • The role of sociolinguistics in children development
  • Comparing sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics
  • Sociolinguistics and gender empowerment: an analysis of their correlation
  • How media houses use sociolinguistics to create bias and gain a competitive advantage
  • The value of sociolinguistics education in the teaching of discipline
  • The role played by sociolinguistics in creating social change throughout history
  • Research methods used in sociolinguistics
  • Different sociolinguistics and their role in English evolution
  • Sociolinguistics: an in-depth analysis
  • What is sociolinguistics, and what is its role in language evolution?

A good research topic in English will serve as the guiding point for your research paper. Find a suitable research topic for English majors below:

  • Types of indigenous languages
  • Language s an essential element of human life
  • Language as the primary communication medium
  • The value of language in society
  • The negative side of coded language
  • School curriculums and how they influence languages
  • Linguistics: a forensic language
  • Elements that influence people’s ability to learn a new language
  • The development of the English language
  • How the English language borrows from other languages
  • Multilingualism: an insight
  • The correlation between metaphors and similes

Many students struggle to find good thesis topics in language and linguistics. As you read more on the thesis statement about social media , make sure you also understand every thesis title about language from the following examples:

  • The classification of human languages
  • The application of different tools in language identification
  • The role of linguists in language identification
  • The contributions of Greek philosophers to language development
  • The origin of language: early speculations
  • The history of language through the scope of mythology
  • Theories that explain the origin and development of language
  • Is language the most effective form of communication
  • The impact of brain injuries on language
  • Language impacts on sports
  • Linguistics intervention that won’t work in this century
  • Language as a system of symbols

Just like economic research paper topics , gender and language topics do not have to stick to the norms or the standards by which all students write. You can exercise some creativity when creating your topic. Discover a topic about language and gender from this list:

  • Language and gender: what is the correlation?
  • How different genders perceive language
  • Does a kid’s gender influence their grasp of languages?
  • Men vs Women: a statistical overview of their multilingual prowess.
  • The perception of language from the female standpoint
  • The difference between female and male language use
  • The use of language as a tool for connection between females and males
  • Does gender have an impact on efficient communication
  • Does gender impact word choices in conversations?
  • Females have an easier time learning two or more languages
  • What makes female and male language choices differ?
  • Are females better at communicating using spoken language?

There are many social issues related to language education that you can cover in your research paper. Check out the following topics about language related to social issues research topics for your research:

  • Language translation: what makes it possible
  • How does the mother tongue influence pronunciation?
  • Issues that encourage people to learn different languages
  • Sign language: origin and more
  • Role of language in solving conflicts
  • Language and mental health: a vivid analysis
  • The similarities between English and French languages
  • Language disorders: an overview
  • Common barriers to language acquisition
  • The impact of mother tongue on effective communication
  • Reasons you should learn two or more languages
  • The benefits of multilingualism in the corporate world
  • Language and identity: what is the correlation?

Language acquisition is the process by which people gain the ability to understand and produce language. Like anatomy research paper topics , language acquisition is a great area to focus your linguistics research. Here are some research questions that bring the focus of the study of linguistic and language acquisition:

  • Language acquisition: an overview
  • What attitudes do people have about language acquisition
  • How attitude can impact language acquisition
  • The evolution of language acquisition over time
  • Language and ethnicity: their correlation
  • Do native English speakers have an easier time acquiring new languages?
  • A case study on political language
  • Why is language acquisition a key factor in leadership
  • Language acquisition and mother tongue pronunciation: the link
  • Ambiguity as a barrier to language acquisition
  • How words acquire their meanings

While a good topic can help capture the reader and create a good impression, it is insufficient to earn you excellent grades. You also need quality content for your paper to get perfect grades. However, creating a high-quality research paper takes time, effort, and skill, which most students do not have.

For these reasons, we offer quality research paper writing services for all students. We guarantee quality papers, timely deliveries, and originality. Reach out to our writers for top linguistics research papers today!

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Loading... Editorial 21 September 2023 Editorial: New ideas in language sciences: linguistics Rebecca Carroll , Mile Vukovic´ , Moreno I. Coco  and  David Townsend 829 views 0 citations

research topics on language

Original Research 23 August 2023 Morphological and conceptual influences on the real-time comprehension of optional plural marked sentences in Yucatec Maya Lindsay K. Butler 770 views 0 citations

Loading... Original Research 28 June 2023 L1 variation and L2 acquisition: L1 German /eː/-/ɛː/ overlap and its effect on the acquisition of L2 English /ɛ/-/æ/ Marcel Schlechtweg ,  1 more  and  Marina Frank 1,420 views 0 citations

Original Research 09 June 2023 An experimental investigation into scope rigidity in written Mandarin Hongchen Wu 1,277 views 0 citations

Original Research 04 May 2023 The wrong horse was bet on: the effects of argument structure versus argument adjacency on the processing of idiomatic sentences Laura Reimer  and  Eva Smolka 1,017 views 0 citations

Loading... Perspective 08 December 2022 Inflectional zero morphology – Linguistic myth or neurocognitive reality? Maria Alekseeva ,  1 more  and  Yury Shtyrov 1,803 views 0 citations

Loading... Original Research 04 November 2022 The development of speechreading skills in Chinese students with hearing impairment Fen Zhang ,  3 more  and  Liang Chen 1,477 views 0 citations

Loading... Original Research 13 October 2022 The relationships between students’ comprehension of conversational implicatures and their achievement in reading comprehension Safiye Çiftlikli  and  Özcan Demirel 2,478 views 1 citations

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100 best linguistic research topics.

November 26, 2020

Linguistic Research Topics

Some learners struggle to choose linguistic research topics to research and write about. That’s because linguistics is interesting to learn about yet challenging to write papers and essays about. Some students stay up at night learning about phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Unfortunately, they still struggle to write quality papers and essays on linguistic topics in these areas. If looking for ideas to form the basis of your paper or essay, here is a list of research topics in linguistics to consider.

Linguistic Research Topics in Discourse Studies

Discourse studies provide fascinating details about individuals, culture, technology, movements, and changes that take place over time. If looking for linguistics topics that relate to discourse studies, here are some of the best ideas to consider. You can also check out our communication research topics .

  • Childhood is the time when speech is made or broken
  • Cultivation of politicians’ buzzword through linguistic analysis
  • How linguistic patterns are sued to locate migration paths
  • How computers affect modern language negatively
  • How text messaging has created a new linguistic subculture
  • How the brain works when it comes to learning a new language
  • How words change over time
  • How effective is non-verbal communication when it comes to displaying emotions?
  • How effective is verbal communication when it comes to displaying feelings?
  • How society alters words and their meanings
  • How the negative power of a word be reduced by neuro-linguistic programming for trauma victims
  • Is verbal communication more effective than non-verbal communication?
  • How individuals communicate without a shared language
  • How beneficial is learning more than one language during childhood?
  • Why should Elementary School teach students a second language?
  • Explain the acquisition of a language at different growth stages
  • How global leaders use language ethics to change the emotional views of the masses
  • Explain the power of a language in capitalizing on emotions
  • How technology alters the communication
  • How proper use of a language makes a person better in society

A learner should pick a linguistics topic in this category if it piques their interest. That’s because writing a great paper or essay requires a student to explore an idea that they are interested in. Essentially, a learner should research and write about something that they find enjoyable.

Interesting Linguistic Topics for Research

Some topics in linguistics are very interesting to research. These are ideas that most people in society will find enjoyable to read about. Here is a list of the most interesting linguistics topics that students can choose for their papers and essays.

  • Explain how sociolinguistics help people understand multi-lingual language choices
  • A study of differences and similarities of Post-Tudor English
  • How language encourages gender differences
  • Understanding socio-linguistics via color and race background in America
  • Vowel pronunciation in the UK- A systematic review
  • The role of music in language evolution
  • Explain the development and evolution of slangs
  • A study of the connection between perception and language
  • How language creates bonds among cross-cultural communities
  • Language review in informal and formal settings
  • How age affects English pronunciation
  • A phonological treatment based review for English-French load words
  • How sociolinguistics influence gender empowerment
  • How words can be used to master legal settings
  • How the media use sociolinguistics to gain a competitive edge and create bias
  • Exploratory analysis of the impact and importance of body language
  • Importance of sociolinguistics education in discipline development
  • How genders perceive politeness via language use
  • A study of social change through history via sociolinguistics
  • An evaluation of English evolution via a focus on different sociolinguistics

The vast majority of topics in this category touches on language and society. That’s why papers and essays about these linguistic research topics will most likely impress many readers.

Applied Linguistics Research Paper Topics

Applied linguistics focus on finding meaningful language solutions to real-world issues. Some of the best linguistic paper topics to consider in this category include the following.

  • The beauty idea and its expression verbally
  • A detailed evaluation of hate language
  • What are the key determinants of hate language propagation?
  • A literature-based review that explores eye-tracking technology and its implication for applied linguistics advancement
  • A detailed evaluation of research methods for applied linguistics
  • How relevant is the development of applied linguistics?
  • Discuss the impacts of the language used in social media on the current generation
  • An essay on the impact of using proper linguistic communication in social media
  • Are applied linguistics relevant in the current digitalized world?
  • How political oppression affect the linguistic used in the media
  • How important is applied linguistics vocationally?
  • The major differences between spoken and written language via linguistics evaluation
  • Is multilingualism a possibility that follows bilingualism?
  • What is the contribution of a language to national identity within a multicultural society?
  • How effective is healthcare delivery when there are language barriers?
  • Is the language barrier relevant in social media?
  • How bilingualism enriches the personality of an individual
  • Discuss language cognition and perceptions during the learning process
  • Discuss the learning mechanisms when it comes to a foreign language
  • Explain how a non-native teacher can teach local students the English language

These can also be great dissertation topics in linguistics. That’s because they require extensive research and analysis of facts to write brilliant papers. So, if struggling to find an idea for your dissertation, consider one of these thesis topics in applied linguistics.

Great Linguistics Essay Topics

Perhaps, you’re looking for a list of English linguistics research topics from which you can get ideal for your essay. In that case, consider these amazing research proposal topics in linguistics.

  • Discuss the new generative grammar concept
  • Analysis of pragmatics and semantics in two texts
  • Identity analysis in racist language
  • Do humans have a predisposition to learn a language?
  • English assessment as a second language
  • Endangered languages and language death causes
  • Attitudes towards a language and childhood language acquisition
  • Mixing modern language and code-switching
  • Linguistic turn and cognitive turn
  • What is computational linguistics?
  • Linguistic and cultural diversity as an educational issue
  • Differences between adults and childhood language learning
  • Factors that affect the ability to learn a language
  • A forensic assessment of linguistics
  • Lexical and grammatical changes
  • How important is a language?
  • What are the effects of language on human behavior?
  • English or indigenous languages?
  • Is language an essential element of human life?
  • Is language the primary communication medium?

These can be great topics for short essays. However, they can also be PhD thesis topics in linguistics where learners will have to conduct extensive and detailed research. The most important thing is to gather relevant and new information that will interest the readers.

Research Topics in Cognitive Linguistics

Students that want to explore questions in cognitive linguistics should consider topics in this category. Here are some of the most interesting topics in linguistics for research papers that also touch on cognition. If these ideas seem a bit complicated, use our writing services .

  • How grammatical phrasing affects compliance with prescriptions, prohibitions, or suggestions
  • Latest research findings into cognitive literacy in Indian English poetry
  • Conceptual metaphor: Does the activation of a single-source domain activates the multiple target concepts?
  • Multilingualism: Does L2 modulate L1/L2 organization in the brain?
  • Can task-based language teaching perception be measured?
  • Are there prominent cognitive-linguistic books for students?
  • What role does cognitive linguistics play in the acquisition of a second language?
  • Is word meaning a concept that is advocated for by some scholars?
  • Which linguistic experiments can be used to understand how the right and left hemispheres work?
  • Discuss the relationship between metaphors and similes

Computational Linguistics Research Topics

Computational linguistics is an interdisciplinary field that deals with rule-based or statistical modeling of the natural language from the computational perspectives. Here are some of the best topics for research in this field.

  • Using supervised learning to analyze Medieval German poetry
  • Which computer-assisted program is best for phonetic comparison of different dialects and why?
  • How and where can Danish verbs be extracted?
  • Can computational linguistic suggest an intra-lingual contrastive corpus analysis?
  • Where can the Schizophrenia text dataset be found?
  • Discuss the techniques used for meaning or semantic representation in the natural language processing
  • Describe performance measures for speech recognition
  • How to extract the introduction, development, and conclusion of a text
  • Discuss the addition of matrices in a dictionary in python
  • Explain the definition and characterization of linguistic dimensions in a multidimensional analysis

Students that are struggling to choose what to write about can pick any topic in this list that they find interesting, research, and write about it. Taking the time to research extensively and write quality papers or essays is what will earn learners their desired grades.

research topics on language

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Applied Linguistics Research: Current Issues, Methods, and Trends

Cite this chapter.

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  • Aek Phakiti 5 ,
  • Peter De Costa 6 ,
  • Luke Plonsky 7 &
  • Sue Starfield 8  

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This chapter provides a broad contextualisation of the Handbook , locating its focus within current debates and concerns of relevance to the field of applied linguistics. The editors highlight the field’s growing interest in research methodology and offer a rationale for the selection of topics and issues in the Handbook, such as methodological reform, transparency, transdisciplinarity, and the impact of technology.

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Phakiti, A., De Costa, P., Plonsky, L., Starfield, S. (2018). Applied Linguistics Research: Current Issues, Methods, and Trends. In: Phakiti, A., De Costa, P., Plonsky, L., Starfield, S. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Linguistics Research Methodology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59900-1_1

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55 Top-Rated Research Topics in Linguistics For an A+

Research Topics in Linguistics

The field of linguistics is one of the easiest yet challenging subjects for college and university students. Areas such as phonology, phonetics, syntax, morphology, and semantics in linguistics can keep you up all night.

That is why we came up with these quality language research topics.

What are the Linguistics Research Topics?

To understand this better, we’d have first to define the term linguistics.

  • Language in context ,
  • Language form, and
  • Language meaning.

The researcher will have to determine the interplay between sound and meaning when presented with this subject. A linguistics research paper will, therefore, deal with the following:

  • The nature of language
  • How human languages are classified
  • Tools used in language identification

Language entices researchers as it draws significant and sustained attention with the reader. With the numerous languages in the world now, you cannot miss finding an area or two to write on this topic.

However, we endeavor to make this task quick and easy for you by shooting up 55 research topics in linguistics.

How To Write Linguistic Topics For Your Dissertation

Are you having trouble coming up with a research topic for your research paper? Here are the top expert recommendations:

  • Brainstorm ideas on your own and with your friends
  • Pick a broad topic and free-write specific sub-topics on it
  • Get inspiration from other available linguistics research paper topics

After coming up with a topic that interests you, check to ensure that it meets your assignment criteria.

So let’s get started!

History of Language Research Topics

  • The contribution of Greek philosophers to language
  • Significance of the over 30,000 preserved cuneiform writings to language
  • Early speculations about the origin of language
  • The long history of language as rooted in mythology
  • Why the origin of language is an unanswerable problem
  • A critical analysis of theories that explain the origin and development of language

Argumentative College Linguistic Research Topics

  • Is language the only way we can use to communicate?
  • Does a brain injury have an impact on language?
  • Should we refer to the language as a mere system of symbols?
  • Do language disorders make it a difficult subject to study?
  • Does the mother tongue have an impact on efficient communication?
  • Should we learn two or more languages?

Linguistics Research Topics – Tough Questions

  • Why is there a similarity among many English and French words?
  • What makes people speak different languages?
  • Why does the mother tongue always interfere with one’s pronunciation?
  • What makes it possible for language translation?
  • Is sign language only a matter of making signs with the hands?
  • Why are some languages difficult to learn than others?

Sociolinguistic Research Topics

  • Social factors that necessitate language variation and varieties
  • What are the attitudes to language among different societies?
  • The relationship between language and identity
  • A critical evaluation of language and ethnicity
  • Analyzing language attrition among most English speakers
  • Distinct functions of language among different communities

Interesting Topics in Linguistics

  • Salient factors that contribute to language shift and death
  • Why nobody can claim to know a certain language in its entirety
  • Why is written communication more precise than spoken one?
  • Problems of ambiguity during language translation
  • Does language influence society, or vice versa, is it true?
  • The effectiveness of language support and subject teaching

Linguistics Paper Topics on Politics

  • Persuasive language strategies and techniques in political speeches
  • Why politicians use culturally used languages when addressing indigenous communities?
  • The place of colonial rule in African politics
  • A case study of effective political communication
  • Understanding the changing landscape of political communication
  • The use of buzz words and tag lines in political speeches

Linguistics Research Paper Topics on Semantics

  • How does meaning work in language analysis and interpretation?
  • How can the meanings of words relate to each other?
  • Ways in which sentences are related to one another
  • What causes ambiguity to arise in language?
  • How do different speakers acquire a sense of meaning?
  • A critical analysis of language use and language acquisition

Linguistic Topics on Translation

  • The role of the latest technologies in the translation industry
  • Is the translator training and pedagogy producing efficient translators?
  • Are translations the cause of misunderstanding between different languages?
  • What is the effectiveness of audiovisual translation?
  • Is literary translation causing more harm than good in communication?
  • What is the relationship between translation and popular culture?

Interesting Linguistics Topics on Language Disorders

  • Causes of receptive language disorders among children
  • Mental formation of language disorders during a child’s development
  • Symptoms of language disorder and how to deal with them
  • What is the effectiveness of psychotherapy in dealing with language disorders?
  • Why is autism spectrum disorder common among most children?
  • What causes problems with the sentence and word flow?
  • Why children of 1 and 2 years of age have trouble with p, b, m, h, and w sounds

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100+ Compelling Linguistics Research Topics for University Students

Linguistics Research Topics

Confused while selecting the interesting linguistics research topics to pen down your thoughts on a piece of paper? So, bounce back to this article and pick the best linguistics research paper topics and boost your grades.

Un-layering the essence of teaching-learning methodology demonstrates the development of linguistic theories. Linguistics is a science of language in which fact-finding is done through some rational and systematic study. While digging into the information about the history of linguistics, two perspectives on languages are unveiled: prescriptive and descriptive views.

The linguistic analysis uncovers the following areas: phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, and pragmatics. Furthermore, the scrutinization of linguistics helps you to know about every aspect of languages as well as methods for studying them.

Table of Contents

How To Choose the Right Linguistics Research Topics?

Stress work is the indication of degraded academic performance and lower grades even if we talk about a linguistics research paper. Make your every endeavor effective and energetic by applying the right strategy. Therefore, make the right selection for your academic writing that starts from the interesting topic selection in linguistics.

Moreover, take advantage of research paper help and discuss your concerns with professional writers. As a suggestion, you can choose the right linguistics research topics by keeping the following points in your mind:

Find your interest: Linguistics uncover various aspects of language learning and allow you to expand your mind capabilities. So, try to explore the depth of the subject and find your area of interest. It will make your academic writing more interesting and enthralling.

Brainstorm the ideas: Picking the interesting linguistics topics demands your knowledge and expertise. Therefore, you need to take the advantage of brainstorming and collect various ideas to explore the concept of linguistics.

Perform pensive research : When you are keen to score high marks, you need to have sufficient knowledge. Conduct insightful research and uncover the pensive ideas for your research paper topics in linguistics.

Interesting Topics in Linguistics

Linguistics is the foundation of language knowledge. Linguistics theories indeed are interrelated to learning the English language. When you have to boost your grades, your selection for linguistics research paper topics makes a huge difference.  Some of the interesting linguistics research topics are:

  • Explain the significance of music in the evolution of language.
  • Does age really impact English pronunciation?
  • What is the role of sociolinguistics education in creating discipline?
  • What is the significance of language in creating teaching methodology?
  • Analysis of verbal and written communication based on language usage.
  • Is it important to have expertise in several languages?
  • Explain the issues related to receptive language disorder and its impact on brain development.
  • How do you correlate sentence-making and word flow in linguistics?
  • Discuss the comparability between English and French languages.
  • Factors responsible for different spoken languages.
  • The impact of slang in the development of languages.
  • Is text messaging creating a revolutionary subculture in the new linguistic scenario?
  • How are linguistic patterns helpful in locating migration roadways?
  • What are factors affecting the capability of learning a language?
  • Explain the role of language in building a national identity for developing a multicultural society.
  • Digital Revolution: impact of computers in modern language
  • A systematic review on vowel pronunciation in the American Schools.
  • Significance of language in creating cross-cultural communities: A comprehensive review
  • Elucidate the impact of language on one’s perception.
  • Textual and Linguistic analysis for housing studies.

Stimulating Research Paper Topics In Sociolinguistics

While seeking linguistics research topics for your assignments or research paper, you may find sociolinguistics interesting to explore. Sociolinguistics demonstrates the impact of language on our society. When you are keen to explore the effect of language in different aspects of society (including cultural values and expectations), you need to do an in-depth analysis of sociolinguistics.

For building a good foundation on sociolinguistics, you can select the following linguistics paper topics:

  • How would you define linguistic practices in specific communities?
  • An elaborative approach for code-switching and code-mixing
  • Explain the impact of dialect on gender.
  • A correlational study to share the relationship between language, social class, and cognition.
  • In-depth study of interactional sociolinguistics in the 21st Century.
  • A comprehensive analysis on accountability and aptness of dialect.
  • Evaluate the education of language in the U.S.
  • The role of languages in controlling emotions.
  • Effectiveness of verbal communication in expressing one’s feelings: A competitive analysis.
  • A literature review on communication with a precise comparison of verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Difference between advanced placement (AP) English literature and language.
  • What is the relationship between language and one’s personality?
  • A critical analysis on the relation of language and ethnicity.
  • Describe the attitudes to various languages among societies.
  • A comprehensive approach on dialect variations in American English-speaking people.
  • Scrutinize linguistic variation on language loyalty.
  • Develop a good understanding of sociological variations to languages.
  • Impact of the generation gap on language usage.
  • Examine the impact of various factors (social tension, media, racism, and entertainment) on the utilization of languages.
  • Is there a difference between linguistic practices among men and women?

Also, Read: 150+ Business Research Topics

Interesting Research Topics in Applied Linguistics

Are you looking for linguistics research topics to advance your learning abilities? In such a case, you have to learn about “Applied Linguistics.” It is the branch of linguistics in which one can understand the practical applications of language studies such as speech therapy, language teaching, and more.

In other words, applied linguistics offers solutions to deal with language-related real-life problems. Imperative academic areas where you can find the applications of applied linguistics are psychology, education, sociology, communication research, and anthropology. Some applied linguistics research paper topics:

  • Discuss the expansion of learning a second language through reading.
  • Share your learning on the critical period hypothesis for the acquisition of the second language.
  • Impact of bilingualism on an individual’s personality.
  • Linguistics evaluation on the difference between written and spoken language.
  • Describe language cognition and perceptions in a learning process.
  • Impact of language barriers on healthcare delivery.
  • Detailed analysis on various methodologies to learn applied linguistics.
  • Discuss the relationship between empathy and language proficiency in learners of adult language.
  • Detailed analysis on multilingualism and multiculturalism.
  • Impact of extended instructions on the use of passive voices, modals, and relative clauses: A critical analysis.
  • Explain digitally-mediated collaborative writing for ESL students.
  • How do we evaluate self-efficacy in students who speak low-level English language?
  • Elucidate the significance of phrasal verbs in creating technical documents.
  • Expectations of American Students while taking Japanese language classes.
  • A detailed study on American deaf students in English as a Non-Native Language (ENNL) classes.
  • How do you understand by modeling music with Grammars?
  • The cognitive development of expertise as an ESL teacher: An insightful analysis.
  • Sound Effects: Gender, Age, and Sound symbolism in American English.
  • Importance of applied linguistics in today’s digital world.

Also, Read: Modern Literature

Interesting Research Topics in Semantics

The study of reference, meaning, and the truth is covered under semantics or semiotics, or semasiology. A comprehensive analysis of semantics reflects the essence of compositional semantics and lexical semantics.  The combination of words and their interaction to form larger experiences like sentences comes under compositional semantics. Whereas, the notion of words is shared under lexical semantics.

Some academic disciplines in linguistic semantics are conceptual semantics, cognitive semantics, formal semantics, computational semantics, and more. Linguistic research paper topics on Semantics are as follows:

  • Examine meaning work in language interpretation and scrutinization
  • A critical evaluation of language acquisition and language use.
  • Challenges in the study of semantic and pragmatic theory.
  • Discuss semantics lessons and paragraph structure in written language.
  • How do you explain the semantic richness effects in the recognition of visual words?
  • How richness of semantics affects the processing of a language.
  • Semantic generation to action-related stimuli: A neuroanatomical evaluation of embodied cognition.
  • Examine the understanding of blind children for reading phonological and tactual coding in Braille.
  • Explain a semantic typology of gradable predicates.
  • A comparison of between blind and sighted children’s memory performance: the reverse-generation effect.
  • Clinical research for designing medical decision support systems.
  • Discuss word recognition processes in blind and sighted children.
  • A corpus-based study on argumentative indicators.
  • The typology of modality in modern West Iranian languages.
  • A critical analysis on changes in naming and semantic abilities in different age groups.
  • Explain the multidimensional semantics of evaluative adverbs.
  • A comprehensive analysis on procedural meaning: problems and perspectives.
  • Cross-cultural and cross-linguistic perspectives on figurative language.
  • Elucidate semantic and pragmatic problems in discourse and dialogue.

Topics For Linguistics Essays

A curiosity of exploring the various concepts in linguistics leads you to work on essays. Projecting your thoughts in writing linguistics essays makes you understand the structure and changes in human languages. In a case, if you are searching for the best topics in linguistics, go through the following list of linguistics essays:

  • Difference between human language and artificial language.
  • Classification of writing systems based on various stages of development.
  • The laws of language development
  • Culture and language: impact on reflections.
  • Methodology of reading and writing for children by Albert James.
  • Significance of phoneme and phonological matters
  • The complexity of human language: the specific cases of the apes
  • Explain the development of languages and derivational morphology.
  • Detailed analysis on language extinction.
  • Investigate the peculiarities of English-Chinese and Chinese-English translations.
  • A comprehensive overview on the acquisition of English as a second language by Mid-Eastern students.
  • Discuss semiology in language analysis.
  • Impact of blogging on learning languages.
  • Linguistics: grammar and language teaching.
  • English Language: Explain its standard and non-standard types.
  • Discuss speech community as linguistic anthropology.
  • A systematic review on linguistic diversity in modern culture.
  • Similarities and differences between language and logic.
  • What is the impact of language on digital communication?
  • Listening comprehension: a comparative analysis of the articles.

Computational Linguistics Research Topics

Analysis and synthesis of language and speech using the techniques of computer science share the significance of computational linguistics. This branch of linguistics reflects the study of computational modeling of natural language. It also describes the computational approaches to answering the linguistic questions.

Under computational linguistics, you can explore different concepts such as artificial intelligence, mathematics, computer science, cognitive science, neuroscience, anthropology. More interesting computational linguistics research topics are:

  • Explain the factors measuring the performance of speech recognition.
  • Discuss word sense disambiguation.
  • Detailed analysis on dependency parsing based on graphs and transitions.
  • A multidimensional analysis on linguistic dimensions
  • Analyze Medieval German poetry through supervised learning.
  • Extraction of Danish verbs.
  • Analysis of Schizophrenia text dataset.
  • An intra-lingual contrastive corpus analysis based on computational linguistics.
  • Discuss various methods to introduce, create, and conclude a text.

Still, Confused? Select The Compelling Linguistics Research Topics With Our Writers!

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Observation

The littlest linguists: new research on language development.

  • Bilingualism
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Language Development

research topics on language

How do children learn language, and how is language related to other cognitive and social skills? For decades, the specialized field of developmental psycholinguistics has studied how children acquire language—or multiple languages—taking into account biological, neurological, and social factors that influence linguistic developments and, in turn, can play a role in how children learn and socialize. Here’s a look at recent research (2020–2021) on language development published in Psychological Science . 

Preverbal Infants Discover Statistical Word Patterns at Similar Rates as Adults: Evidence From Neural Entrainment

Dawoon Choi, Laura J. Batterink, Alexis K. Black, Ken A. Paller, and Janet F. Werker (2020)

One of the first challenges faced by infants during language acquisition is identifying word boundaries in continuous speech. This neurological research suggests that even preverbal infants can learn statistical patterns in language, indicating that they may have the ability to segment words within continuous speech.

Using electroencephalogram measures to track infants’ ability to segment words, Choi and colleagues found that 6-month-olds’ neural processing increasingly synchronized with the newly learned words embedded in speech over the learning period in one session in the laboratory. Specifically, patterns of electrical activity in their brains increasingly aligned with sensory regularities associated with word boundaries. This synchronization was comparable to that seen among adults and predicted future ability to discriminate words.

These findings indicate that infants and adults may follow similar learning trajectories when tracking probabilities in speech, with both groups showing a logarithmic (rather than linear) increase in the synchronization of neural processing with frequent words. Moreover, speech segmentation appears to use neural mechanisms that emerge early in life and are maintained throughout adulthood.

Parents Fine-Tune Their Speech to Children’s Vocabulary Knowledge

Ashley Leung, Alexandra Tunkel, and Daniel Yurovsky (2021)

Children can acquire language rapidly, possibly because their caregivers use language in ways that support such development. Specifically, caregivers’ language is often fine-tuned to children’s current linguistic knowledge and vocabulary, providing an optimal level of complexity to support language learning. In their new research, Leung and colleagues add to the body of knowledge involving how caregivers foster children’s language acquisition.

The researchers asked individual parents to play a game with their child (age 2–2.5 years) in which they guided their child to select a target animal from a set. Without prompting, the parents provided more informative references for animals they thought their children did not know. For example, if a parent thought their child did not know the word “leopard,” they might use adjectives (“the spotted, yellow leopard”) or comparisons (“the one like a cat”). This indicates that parents adjust their references to account for their children’s language knowledge and vocabulary—not in a simplifying way but in a way that could increase the children’s vocabulary. Parents also appeared to learn about their children’s knowledge throughout the game and to adjust their references accordingly.

Infant and Adult Brains Are Coupled to the Dynamics of Natural Communication

Elise A. Piazza, Liat Hasenfratz, Uri Hasson, and Casey Lew-Williams (2020)

This research tracked real-time brain activation during infant–adult interactions, providing an innovative measure of social interaction at an early age. When communicating with infants, adults appear to be sensitive to subtle cues that can modify their brain responses and behaviors to improve alignment with, and maximize information transfer to, the infants.

Piazza and colleagues used functional near-infrared spectroscopy—a noninvasive measure of blood oxygenation resulting from neural activity that is minimally affected by movements and thus allows participants to freely interact and move—to measure the brain activation of infants (9–15 months old) and adults while they communicated and played with each other. An adult experimenter either engaged directly with an infant by playing with toys, singing nursery rhymes, and reading a story or performed those same tasks while turned away from the child and toward another adult in the room.

Results indicated that when the adult interacted with the child (but not with the other adult), the activations of many prefrontal cortex (PFC) channels and some parietal channels were intercorrelated, indicating neural coupling of the adult’s and child’s brains. Both infant and adult PFC activation preceded moments of mutual gaze and increased before the infant smiled, with the infant’s PFC response preceding the adult’s. Infant PFC activity also preceded an increase in the pitch variability of the adult’s speech, although no changes occurred in the adult’s PFC, indicating that the adult’s speech influenced the infant but probably did not influence neural coupling between the child and the adult.

Theory-of-Mind Development in Young Deaf Children With Early Hearing Provisions

Chi-Lin Yu, Christopher M. Stanzione, Henry M. Wellman, and Amy R. Lederberg (2020)

Language and communication are important for social and cognitive development. Although deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children born to deaf parents can communicate with their caregivers using sign language, most DHH children are born to hearing parents who do not have experience with sign language. These children may have difficulty with early communication and experience developmental delays. For instance, the development of theory of mind—the understanding of others’ mental states—is usually delayed in DHH children born to hearing parents.

Yu and colleagues studied how providing DHH children with hearing devices early in life (before 2 years of age) might enrich their early communication experiences and benefit their language development, supporting the typical development of other capabilities—in particular, theory of mind. The researchers show that 3- to 6-year-old DHH children who began using cochlear implants or hearing aids earlier had more advanced language abilities, leading to better theory-of-mind growth, than children who started using hearing provisions later. These findings highlight the relationships among hearing, language, and theory of mind.

The Bilingual Advantage in Children’s Executive Functioning Is Not Related to Language Status: A Meta-Analytic Review

Cassandra J. Lowe, Isu Cho, Samantha F. Goldsmith, and J. Bruce Morton (2021)

Acommon idea is that bilingual children, who grow up speaking two languages fluently, perform better than monolingual children in diverse executive-functioning domains (e.g., attention, working memory, decision making). This meta-analysis calls that idea into question.

Lowe and colleagues synthesized data from studies that compared the performance of monolingual and bilingual participants between the ages of 3 and 17 years in executive-functioning domains (1,194 effect sizes). They found only a small effect of bilingualism on participants’ executive functioning, which was largely explained by factors such as publication bias. After accounting for these factors, bilingualism had no distinguishable effect. The results of this large meta-analysis thus suggest that bilingual and monolingual children tend to perform at the same level in executive-functioning tasks. Bilingualism does not appear to boost performance in executive functions that serve learning, thinking, reasoning, or problem solving.

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research topics on language

Teaching: Ethical Research to Help Romania’s Abandoned Children 

An early intervention experiment in Bucharest can introduce students to the importance of responsive caregiving during human development.

research topics on language

Silver Linings in the Demographic Revolution 

Podcast: In her final column as APS President, Alison Gopnik makes the case for more effectively and creatively caring for vulnerable humans at either end of life.

research topics on language

Communicating Psychological Science: The Lifelong Consequences of Early Language Skills

“When families are informed about the importance of conversational interaction and are provided training, they become active communicators and directly contribute to reducing the word gap (Leung et al., 2020).”

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Top 119+ Innovative Language Development Research Topics – Innovative Ideas

Language is a huge part of being human. It allows us to share thoughts ideas, and understand the world. Studying how language develops is a very interesting area that combines many different subjects. 

If you are a student studying linguistics, education, psychology, or related fields, researching language development topics can provide valuable insights. You can look at the cognitive processes involved, how social factors influence them, and the cultural impacts that shape how we comprehend and use language. 

From exploring the role of genetics and critical periods for picking up language to analyzing bilingualism , dialect differences, and language disorders – there are countless fascinating research possibilities in this area. 

This comprehensive list contains over 119 compelling language development research topics to spark your academic curiosity and expand your knowledge of this captivating field.

Importance of Innovative Language Development Research

Table of Contents

The way children learn language is crucial. New research in this area can help us understand how kids grow and develop mentally. It can also lead to better teaching methods in schools and support for children who struggle with language delays or disorders.

This kind of research covers many different fields. In psychology and brain science, the complex thinking processes involved in truly mastering a language are shown. It informs teaching methods that match a child’s developmental stage and can identify language issues earlier for support.

The research also examines how factors like speaking multiple languages, family income levels, and cultural backgrounds affect language learning. Understanding these differences promotes fairness and equal learning opportunities for all children.

As we continue to advance artificial intelligence, insights from children’s language development can even help make language models and human-computer interactions feel more natural and user-friendly.

At its heart, pioneering research into how kids acquire language uncovers the intricacies of one of humanity’s most fundamental abilities—communicating through speech and words. 

It is work that connects many disciplines and can positively impact education, helping kids with special needs, bridging cultural gaps, and enhancing our interactions with technology.

Recommended Readings: “ Top 111 Environmental Issues Research Topics To Explore “.

Historical Perspective Of the Evolution Of Language Development

Let’s take a look at the historical perspective of the evolution of language development studies. 

From Early Observations to Modern Scientific Inquiry

For a really long time, people have been super interested in understanding how children pick up language and speaking skills. This area of study has gone on quite a journey, shifting from early ideas and thoughts to becoming a proper, careful science with research and experts all working together.

Way way back, famous thinkers like Plato and Aristotle talked about language development and how it connects to the human mind and thinking. But it wasn’t until the 1600s and 1700s that scholars started making more organized observations and thoughts about it.

People like John Locke and Étienne Bonnot de Condillac challenged the belief that knowledge is just naturally inborn in us. Instead, they said the mind starts off like a blank slate, and language/knowledge comes from experiences and the things a child sees and hears around them.

In the 1800s, the study of language gained more attention and interest. Researchers like Wilhelm Wundt and Charles Darwin made important contributions. Wundt started the first psychology lab for hands-on studies, while Darwin’s famous ideas about evolution influenced the study of language from a biological viewpoint, too.

The 1900s brought a revolution, with modern linguistics taking off and thinkers like Noam Chomsky. Chomsky’s ideas about kids having an inborn natural ability for language challenged old beliefs and caused a lot of big debate and discussion.

At the same time, progress in psychology, brain science, and learning about the human mind has led to key understandings about the thinking processes, brain activity, and social factors involved in language development. Long-term studies following kids, experiments, and new brain imaging have also let researchers untangle the complex mix of biological and environmental impacts.

Today, the study of how kids learn language is a thriving, active field with many types of experts – linguists, psychologists, brain scientists, teachers, anthropologists, and more – all working together. 

Using diverse methods, they explore the intricate ways that thinking abilities, social settings, cultures, and biology all shape a child’s path to mastering speaking and language.

From those earliest thoughts to today’s careful scientific work, the story of how language development studies have changed over time shows just how fascinated humans are with one of our most fundamental skills – the ability to communicate through speech and words.

Top 119+ Language Development Research Topics

Here is the list of the top 119+ language development research topics accoding to different categories. Let’s look. 

How Kids Learn

  • How thinking helps kids learn language.
  • How kids learn words and sentences.
  • How memory helps kids learn language.
  • How paying attention helps kids learn the language.
  • How doing things helps kids learn the language.

Family and Friends

  • How money, where you live, and what job your parents have affect how kids learn to talk.
  • How your family and where you live affect how you learn to talk.
  • How moms and dads talk to kids helps them learn language.
  • How knowing two languages affects how kids learn language.
  • How kids learn to talk when they live with people from different cultures.

Language Problems

  • Why do some kids have trouble learning to talk?
  • What happens in the brain when kids have trouble talking?
  • How kids with autism learn to talk.
  • Why do some kids have trouble reading?
  • Ways to help kids who have trouble talking.
  • Ideas about how kids learn to make sentences.
  • How kids learn the sounds of words.
  • How kids learn word parts.
  • How kids learn what words mean.
  • How kids learn to talk politely.

Brain and Language

  • Pictures of the brain show how kids understand and talk.
  • Parts of the brain help kids understand and talk.
  • How the brain changes as kids learn to talk.
  • Why do kids use one side of their brain more for talking?
  • Why do some kids have trouble talking because of their genes?

Learning with Computers

  • How computers help kids learn language.
  • How to pretend computer worlds help kids learn the language.
  • How computers that change for each kid help them learn the language.
  • How being in a pretend world helps kids learn language.
  • How games help kids learn language.

School Talk

  • Rules about language in schools for different languages.
  • How schools help kids who move to a new country learn language.
  • Things that help little kids learn language in schools.
  • Plans for what kids will learn about language in school.
  • How teachers help kids learn language.

Reading and Writing

  • How talking helps kids learn to read and write.
  • How kids learn to hear and play with the sounds in words.
  • How feelings help kids learn to read and write.
  • How knowing lots of words helps kids read and understand stories.
  • How do kids who know two languages learn to read and write?

Kids with Special Needs

  • How kids learn to talk who can’t hear.
  • How kids with Down syndrome learn to talk.
  • How kids with lots of energy learn to talk.
  • How kids who were born early learn to talk.
  • How babies’ brains are different when moms use medicine.

Talk in Different Languages

  • How kids learn to talk in different languages.
  • How kids talk in different languages.
  • How knowing one language helps kids learn another.
  • How kids learn new languages.
  • How does it sound the same in lots of languages?

Online Talk

  • How Instagram and Snapchat change how kids talk.
  • How new words happen when people talk online.
  • How people change between two languages when they talk online.
  • How kids learn to be safe online when they talk.
  • Being mean online hurts kids’ learning of the language.

Boys and Girls Talk

  • How girls and boys talk as they grow up.
  • How people think girls and boys should talk.
  • How people talk to show they have power over others.
  • How kids talk about being a girl or a boy.
  • How boys and girls talk on the internet.

Talk and Who You Are

  • How kids keep their family language when they move to a new place.
  • How kids feel about the languages they speak.
  • How people feel about what languages they speak.
  • How people talk about keeping a language alive.
  • How people talk about where they come from.

Talk and Feelings

  • How feelings help kids learn to talk.
  • How hearing people’s feelings helps kids understand what they say.
  • How kids use talking to feel better.
  • How moms’ and dads’ feelings change how kids learn to talk.
  • How kids learn to know how others feel by listening to them.

Understanding Talk

  • How do kids know what words mean?
  • How kids understand what people say.
  • How do kids know what words mean when they hear them in a sentence?
  • How do kids know what’s happening next when they hear someone talk?
  • How the brain makes talking makes sense.

Talk and Music

  • How music helps kids learn to talk.
  • How playing music helps kids learn to talk.
  • How do the ups and downs of talking and music help kids understand them?
  • It is how the brain listens to music and talks in the same way.
  • How the brain thinks about talking and music together.

Talk Change

  • How talking changed a long time ago.
  • How people talk and act like monkeys when they learn to talk.
  • How people talk and act like their friends when they talk.
  • How talking and thinking changed each other.
  • How people talk and think on computers.

Talking When You’re Old

  • How people talk changes when they get older.
  • How people’s brains learn new things about talking when they’re older.
  • How brains change and make talking harder when people get sick.
  • How people help older people talk better.
  • How do talking and moving go together when you’re older?

Talking and Feeling Bad

  • How can talking show if someone’s feeling bad?
  • How talking helps people feel better.
  • How people talk shows if they’re feeling bad.
  • How talking shows if someone might hurt themselves.
  • How talking helps people feel better when they’re feeling bad.

Talking and Deciding

  • How people talk about making choices.
  • How people change what they say to make others think what they want.
  • How people make rules about talking when they’re making choices.
  • How talking shows what groups people are in.
  • How can talking make groups of people want the same things?

Talking and Computers

  • How computers understand what people say.
  • How computers listen and talk to help people learn.
  • How computers change what people say into different languages.
  • How computers write down what people say without them doing it.
  • How talking to computers helps people do things.

Talking about Health

  • How people understand health words.
  • How doctors and people talk to each other in different languages.
  • How people say things to help others be healthy.
  • How people talk about being healthy in different languages.
  • How does not understanding what someone says keep people from being healthy?

Talking and the Earth

  • How people talk about the Earth and how to keep it safe.
  • How people talk about helping the Earth.
  • How people talk about keeping languages alive and saving the Earth.
  • How people talk and think about making the Earth safe.
  • How people talk about making the Earth safe for everyone.

Talking and Laws

  • How people use talking to figure out if someone broke the law
  • How people talk when they need help with the law.
  • How can people change what someone says in court so others can understand?
  • How people change what someone says in another language in court.
  • How talking affects what happens in court.
  • How people make rules about talking when they’re making choices in court.

These topics cover a range of areas related to language development research, with simpler language to make them more accessible for everyone.

Current Trends in Language Development Research

The study of how children learn language is constantly changing, driven by discoveries, modern tools, and experts from different fields working together to better understand it.

  • There should be more focus on kids learning two or more languages at the same time, exploring the thinking skills and social factors that impact mastering multiple languages from a young age.
  • Advanced brain imaging techniques, such as fMRI and NIRS, can be used to see which areas of the brain are active when children process and develop language abilities.
  • We will examine how language development is connected to other skills like decision-making, understanding others’ perspectives, and social-emotional growth.
  • Using cutting-edge computer programs and analysis methods to study large amounts of data and find patterns in how kids pick up language over time.
  • Doing long-term studies that follow language development from infancy through the teen years, revealing important milestones and individual differences.
  • Investigating how factors like family income, cultural backgrounds, and exposure to diverse languages impact language learning outcomes.
  • Researchers, teachers, and speech experts collaborate to turn findings into effective support strategies for kids struggling with language delays or disorders.
  • Exploring the impacts of digital media and technology on language development, both potential risks and opportunities for language enrichment.

These trends show how the study of kids’ language development involves many different experts working together to deepen our understanding of this core human ability. The goal is to improve teaching practices, better support neurodiverse children, and create more inclusive learning environments.

Challenges and Opportunities in Language Development Research

Unraveling how children acquire language is a journey paved with challenges and opportunities that shape the course of this vital research field.

  • Understanding the big differences in how quickly and in what ways kids pick up language
  • Untangling the complicated mix of biological, thinking ability, and environmental factors involved
  • Designing strong long-term studies that can follow language development over many years
  • Dealing with ethical considerations when doing research with young children
  • Overcoming barriers in accessing diverse cultural and language communities
  • Bringing together insights from many different expert fields into one clear understanding

Opportunities

  • Using new advances in brain science and imaging to unlock fresh insights
  • Taking advantage of big data and computer analysis to spot patterns
  • Exploring how new technologies and digital media impact language learning
  • Experts from different fields working closely together for a fuller picture
  • Turning research findings into real-world applications for teaching and support
  • Promoting cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity in language studies
  • Addressing important issues like language delays, disorders, and achievement gaps

Navigating these challenges and seizing the opportunities will shape a deeper, more inclusive understanding of how children master the profound gift of language.

Closing Up 

The study of how kids learn language is an exciting and ever-changing area, full of opportunities for new and innovative discoveries. As we explore these fresh research ideas, we open the door to a better understanding of one of the most amazing abilities humans have – truly mastering language. 

From uncovering the intricate workings of the young mind to looking at how culture and environment play a role, each line of research has the potential to transform how we teach, provide support, and create inclusive learning spaces for all children. 

By having experts from different fields work closely together, using modern technologies, and staying curious with an open mindset, researchers in this area can keep expanding what we know. This will ultimately lead to a future where every child gets the chance to grow and unleash the full power of language.

How can I contribute to language development research as a student?

As a student, you can engage in literature reviews, assist with data collection and analysis, and participate in research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors.

What are some practical applications of language development research?

Language development research has applications in education, speech therapy, machine translation, assistive technology, and cognitive rehabilitation, among other fields.

How do socioeconomic factors influence language development?

Socioeconomic factors can impact language development by shaping access to educational resources, language-rich environments, and social opportunities, which in turn affect linguistic skills and outcomes.

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Automated Social Science: Language Models as Scientist and Subjects

We present an approach for automatically generating and testing, in silico, social scientific hypotheses. This automation is made possible by recent advances in large language models (LLM), but the key feature of the approach is the use of structural causal models. Structural causal models provide a language to state hypotheses, a blueprint for constructing LLM-based agents, an experimental design, and a plan for data analysis. The fitted structural causal model becomes an object available for prediction or the planning of follow-on experiments. We demonstrate the approach with several scenarios: a negotiation, a bail hearing, a job interview, and an auction. In each case, causal relationships are both proposed and tested by the system, finding evidence for some and not others. We provide evidence that the insights from these simulations of social interactions are not available to the LLM purely through direct elicitation. When given its proposed structural causal model for each scenario, the LLM is good at predicting the signs of estimated effects, but it cannot reliably predict the magnitudes of those estimates. In the auction experiment, the in silico simulation results closely match the predictions of auction theory, but elicited predictions of the clearing prices from the LLM are inaccurate. However, the LLM's predictions are dramatically improved if the model can condition on the fitted structural causal model. In short, the LLM knows more than it can (immediately) tell.

This research was made possible by a generous grant from Dropbox Inc. Thanks to Jordan Ellenberg, Benjamin Lira Luttges, David Holtz, Bruce Sacerdote, Paul Röttger, Mohammed Alsobay, Ray Duch, Matt Schwartz, David Autor, and Dean Eckles for their helpful feedback. Author's contact information, code, and data are currently or will be available at http://www.benjaminmanning.io/. Both Benjamin S. Manning and Kehang Zhu contributed equally to this work. John J. Horton is a co-founder of a company, Expected Parrot Inc., using generative AI models for market research. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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Inside the Apple core —

Apple releases eight small ai language models aimed at on-device use, openelm mirrors efforts by microsoft to make useful small ai language models that run locally..

Benj Edwards - Apr 25, 2024 8:55 pm UTC

An illustration of a robot hand tossing an apple to a human hand.

In the world of AI, what might be called "small language models" have been growing in popularity recently because they can be run on a local device instead of requiring data center-grade computers in the cloud. On Wednesday, Apple introduced a set of tiny source-available AI language models called OpenELM that are small enough to run directly on a smartphone. They're mostly proof-of-concept research models for now, but they could form the basis of future on-device AI offerings from Apple.

Further Reading

Apple's new AI models, collectively named OpenELM for "Open-source Efficient Language Models," are currently available on the Hugging Face under an Apple Sample Code License . Since there are some restrictions in the license, it may not fit the commonly accepted definition of "open source," but the source code for OpenELM is available.

On Tuesday, we covered Microsoft's Phi-3 models , which aim to achieve something similar: a useful level of language understanding and processing performance in small AI models that can run locally. Phi-3-mini features 3.8 billion parameters, but some of Apple's OpenELM models are much smaller, ranging from 270 million to 3 billion parameters in eight distinct models.

In comparison, the largest model yet released in Meta's Llama 3 family includes 70 billion parameters (with a 400 billion version on the way), and OpenAI's GPT-3 from 2020 shipped with 175 billion parameters. Parameter count serves as a rough measure of AI model capability and complexity, but recent research has focused on making smaller AI language models as capable as larger ones were a few years ago.

The eight OpenELM models come in two flavors: four as "pretrained" (basically a raw, next-token version of the model) and four as instruction-tuned (fine-tuned for instruction following, which is more ideal for developing AI assistants and chatbots):

  • OpenELM-270M
  • OpenELM-450M
  • OpenELM-1_1B
  • OpenELM-270M-Instruct
  • OpenELM-450M-Instruct
  • OpenELM-1_1B-Instruct
  • OpenELM-3B-Instruct

OpenELM features a 2048-token maximum context window. The models were trained on the publicly available datasets RefinedWeb , a version of PILE with duplications removed, a subset of RedPajama , and a subset of Dolma v1.6 , which Apple says totals around 1.8 trillion tokens of data. Tokens are fragmented representations of data used by AI language models for processing.

Apple says its approach with OpenELM includes a "layer-wise scaling strategy" that reportedly allocates parameters more efficiently across each layer, saving not only computational resources but also improving the model's performance while being trained on fewer tokens. According to Apple's released white paper , this strategy has enabled OpenELM to achieve a 2.36 percent improvement in accuracy over Allen AI's OLMo 1B (another small language model) while requiring half as many pre-training tokens.

An table comparing OpenELM with other small AI language models in a similar class, taken from the OpenELM research paper by Apple.

Apple also released the code for CoreNet , a library it used to train OpenELM—and it also included reproducible training recipes that allow the weights (neural network files) to be replicated, which is unusual for a major tech company so far. As Apple says in its OpenELM paper abstract, transparency is a key goal for the company: "The reproducibility and transparency of large language models are crucial for advancing open research, ensuring the trustworthiness of results, and enabling investigations into data and model biases, as well as potential risks."

By releasing the source code, model weights, and training materials, Apple says it aims to "empower and enrich the open research community." However, it also cautions that since the models were trained on publicly sourced datasets, "there exists the possibility of these models producing outputs that are inaccurate, harmful, biased, or objectionable in response to user prompts."

While Apple has not yet integrated this new wave of AI language model capabilities into its consumer devices, the upcoming iOS 18 update (expected to be revealed in June at WWDC) is rumored to include new AI features that utilize on-device processing to ensure user privacy—though the company may potentially hire Google or OpenAI to handle more complex, off-device AI processing to give Siri a long-overdue boost.

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Senior Presenters Unveil Global Complexities: Exploring Cultural Dynamics and Justice

By Noor Nazir

On May 3, 2024

In Uncategorized

Although Global interconnectedness brings to light varied forms of culture, we tend to forget about innumerable unhidden systemic dynamics that could undoubtedly enrich our understanding of the world. The senior presentations given by students in International Comparative Studies embarked on a mission to understand the world better through their research. The panel on Conflict Zones, specifically, intrigued me because it offered a lens of thinking about several topics we wouldn’t normally care about. They showed it mattered, for me to show you that it really does matter. 

The exploration of language ideologies in Mauritius, the complex yet fascinating web of transitional justice, the contentious aspects of medical missions in global health, and the intersection between superficiality and urban dynamics in Los Angeles all were epitomes of understanding the unseen world at play.

Language and Identity in Mauritius

Katy Turner’s research into the Mauritian education system sheds light on the complex interplay between language and colonial histories. Even though one could argue colonialism is a tale of the past, Turner’s research proved otherwise. In Mauritius, where the creole language —formed by enslaved individuals and now a mother tongue—meets societal resistance, the educational emphasis remains on English and French. Turner’s exploration raises critical questions: How do Mauritian primary school teachers perceive the role of Mauritian Creole, especially given its contentious status? How has the colonial past shaped these perceptions?

research topics on language

The findings reveal a conflicted landscape. While some view the Mauritian Creole as a relic of the past, advocating for a future aligned with English, others see it as vital for a holistic educational experience. Its colloquial use in classrooms helps connect students with their history, and according to her observation, students didn’t mind its use over English and French, but their parents very much did. They preferred English and French over their own local language. This put me in a daze. Afterall, being Pakistani born and raised, this wasn’t a surprise. English is the language of the rich, and Urdu is the language of the poor. These complex linguistic preferences of these countries highlight how colonized some developing countries are till today. In Mauritius, the narratives of slaves, parents and educational policies often discourage this practice. This ‘ hidden curriculum ‘ suggests a deep-seated struggle with identity and linguistic heritage, hinting at a broader dialogue about language as a carrier of culture and history. This colonial hangover is one we need to fight at present to connect with what our culture really means. 

The Anti-Politics of Memory in Transitional Justice

Grace delves into the “anti-politics” of memory, examining how transitional justice often morphs into a universal narrative that may overlook local truths. Her focus on the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) illuminates the challenges of defining justice in varied contexts—ranging from criminal justice to truth commissions. The ICTJ’s extensive work, reflected in their archival collections spanning several decades. She sat in the library searching through archives for days, and went to great lengths (like analyzing the order they were in) to show their global influence yet also reveals tensions, such as in Iraq where document manipulation was used to sway electoral outcomes.

research topics on language

This research was inspired by James Ferguson’s analysis in “ The Anti-Politics Machine “. It suggested that transitional justice can sometimes strip away the political layers that are essential for understanding and addressing the root causes of injustice.

Reassessing Medical Missions Through a Decolonial Lens

Catherine Purnell’s investigation into medical missions driven by evangelical Christian beliefs poses questions about the possibility of decolonizing global health. The narrative that divides the world into those who help and those who need help is deeply entrenched in the ethos of many medical missions. Purnell’s interviews with medical missionaries reveal an underlying intention to provide care in remote areas, which often includes building schools and water systems alongside healthcare.

However, the real challenge lies in shifting these missions from a model of evangelical humanitarianism to one of genuine decolonization . According to her, true decolonized care would prioritize giving autonomy back to local communities and focusing on solidarity rather than charity. Purnell’s findings suggest a fundamental conflict between the traditional goals of medical missions and the emerging needs of decolonial, equitable healthcare practices.

The Multicultural Dynamics of Urban Spaces

Jess’s exploration into the complex narratives of multiculturalism in Los Angeles offers a fascinating lens through which to view urban dynamics and identity. Starting with the historic intersections in neighborhoods like Little Tokyo/Bronzeville , Jess examines the fluid and often contentious shifts in community compositions and their cultural implications. Originally a Japanese neighborhood, Bronzeville became predominantly African American during World War II when Japanese residents were interned. Such shifts underscore the impermanence and adaptability of urban ethnic landscapes. 

research topics on language

Moreover, Jess connects these historical and cultural narratives to broader literary works like “ Tropic of Orange” and Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower .” These works critique the superficiality of multiculturalism, suggesting a more interconnected and deeply woven fabric of society that transcends simplistic understandings of diversity. Jess uses these stories to highlight a poignant metaphor: just as characters in Butler’s work envision a destiny among the stars, our own societal evolution might be seen as an ongoing journey towards a more genuinely integrated multiculturalism.

Together, these presentations accentuated the complexities of cultural identity, memory politics, and health equity in a globalized world. They challenge us to think critically about how languages shape national identity, how justice processes can reflect deeper truths without falling into the traps of depoliticization, and how global health initiatives might genuinely respect and uplift the communities they intend to serve. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, these discussions are crucial for fostering a more just and equitable global society.

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  • How Hispanic Americans Get Their News

U.S.-born Latinos overwhelmingly prefer to get their news in English; about half of immigrant Latinos prefer it in Spanish

Table of contents.

  • Where do Hispanic Americans get news?
  • Major differences between U.S.-born Latinos and immigrants
  • Bilingual Hispanics much more likely to get news in English than Spanish
  • U.S.-born Hispanics less likely to engage with Hispanic news outlets
  • Latinos with lower levels of income more likely to get news from Hispanic outlets and about origin countries
  • Who gets news from Hispanic outlets and about origin countries?
  • Acknowledgments
  • The American Trends Panel survey methodology
  • How family income tiers are calculated

An image of a Hispanic woman looking at her smartphone.

Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand Hispanic Americans’ habits around news and information, including the languages in which they consume news and their engagement with Hispanic media outlets.

Most of the questions in this report are from Pew Research Center’s 2023 National Survey of Latinos, a survey of 5,078 U.S. Hispanic adults conducted Nov. 6-19, 2023. This includes 1,524 Hispanic adults on the Center’s  American Trends Panel  (ATP) and 3,554 Hispanic adults on Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel . Respondents on both panels are recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. Recruiting panelists by phone or mail ensures that nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. This gives us confidence that any sample can represent the whole population, or in this case the whole U.S. Hispanic population. (For more information, watch our  Methods 101 explainer  on random sampling.)

To further ensure the survey reflects a balanced cross-section of the nation’s Hispanic adults, the data is weighted to match the U.S. Hispanic adult population by age, gender, education, nativity, Hispanic origin group and other categories. Read more about the  ATP’s methodology . Refer to the topline for the questions used for our National Survey of Latinos , along with responses, and to methodology for more details.

The questions about how often people get news from various platforms, which platforms they prefer for getting news, and which social media sites people get news from are from an ATP survey of 8,842 U.S. adults, including 1,193 Hispanic adults, conducted Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2023. Refer to the topline for t he questions used for this survey , along with responses, and to the methodology for more details.

Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. This is the latest report in Pew Research Center’s ongoing investigation of the state of news, information and journalism in the digital age, a research program funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, with generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The terms  Hispanic  and  Latino  are used interchangeably in this report.

Hispanic/Latino Americans, Hispanic/Latino adults , and Hispanics/Latinos are used interchangeably in this report to refer to survey respondents who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino in the United States. They include those who say their race is White, Black, Asian or some other race and those who identify as multiracial. Hispanic/Latino Americans live in the U.S. but are not necessarily U.S. citizens.

U.S. born  refers to people born in the 50 states or the District of Columbia.

Immigrant  refers to people born outside the 50 states or D.C. For the purposes of this report, immigrants include those born in Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory. Although individuals born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens by birth, they are grouped with immigrant respondents because they were born into a Spanish-dominant culture and because on many points their attitudes, views and beliefs more closely resemble those of Hispanics born outside the U.S. than Hispanics born in the 50 states or D.C., and even U.S.-born Hispanics who identify as being of Puerto Rican origin.

Second generation  refers to people born in the 50 states or D.C. who have at least one parent born in a different country, Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory.

Third generation   or higher refers to people born in the 50 states or D.C. who have two parents born in the 50 states or D.C.

Language dominance  is a composite measure based on self-described assessments of speaking and reading abilities.  Spanish-dominant  people are more proficient in Spanish than in English (i.e., they speak and read Spanish “very well” or “pretty well” but rate their English ability lower).  Bilingual  refers to people who are proficient in both English and Spanish.  English-dominant  people are more proficient in English than in Spanish.

“Middle income” is defined here as two-thirds to double the median annual family income for panelists on the American Trends Panel. “Lower income” falls below that range; “upper income” falls above it. Refer to the methodology for more details.

Hispanic news outlets are those outlets that focus on providing news and information specifically to Hispanic audiences. These can include newspapers, radio or TV stations, podcasts, or social media accounts created for and by Hispanic people. Their content could be in Spanish, English, both languages or another language.

Country of origin refers to the country that survey respondents, their parents or their Hispanic ancestors came from.

A bar charts showing that About half of U.S. Latinos get news mostly in English and prefer it that way

Just over half of U.S. Hispanic adults (54%) get their news mostly in English – far higher than the share who get their news mostly in Spanish (21%). About a quarter of Hispanic Americans (23%) say they consume news in both languages about equally.

There is an almost identical pattern on the question of preferred language for news: 51% prefer to get their news in English, 24% prefer Spanish and 23% say they do not have a preference.

But a new Pew Research Center survey of adults who identify as Hispanic or Latino finds major differences in news consumption habits between U.S.-born Hispanics and those who immigrated from other countries .

While U.S.-born Latinos overwhelmingly get their news in English, and prefer it in English, those born outside the United States have much more varied habits: 41% get their news mostly in Spanish, 26% get it primarily in English and 31% do both about equally. Similarly, 47% of Latino immigrants prefer to get their news in Spanish, while 22% prefer English and 31% do not express a preference.

Among Latino immigrants, those who have spent more years in the U.S. are less inclined than more recent arrivals to get news in Spanish, and more inclined to get it in English. There is little difference in the shares who get news in both languages about equally.

Jump to more information on the languages in which U.S. Latinos consume news.

We asked these questions to better understand how a group that makes up nearly one-in-five Americans stays informed, especially as its demographics and use of Spanish continue to change. Immigrants are declining as a share of all U.S. Hispanics , and the share of Hispanics who speak Spanish at home has also dropped – even though the number of Hispanics who speak Spanish at home has increased due to overall growth in the Hispanic population.

Other key findings about Hispanics’ news consumption include:

Most Latino adults prefer digital devices for news

A bar chart showing that Most Latinos prefer digital devices for news

Latinos get their news from a variety of sources, but most say they prefer to use digital devices over other platforms. Nearly nine-in-ten (87%) say they get news from digital devices at least sometimes, and 65% say they prefer this form of news over TV, radio or print. Digital devices have become an increasingly common source for news among Latinos – and among Americans overall – in recent decades, a shift driven by the rise of the internet .

Latinos are more likely than White Americans (55%) and Black Americans (50%) to prefer getting news from digital devices. Latinos also are more likely than White and Black adults to get news from social media, at least in part because Latino adults tend to be younger than other groups, and young adults are more inclined to use social media for news.

Nearly three-quarters of Latino adults under 50 (73%) prefer to get their news on digital devices, including 27% who prefer social media specifically.

Jump to more information on the platforms where U.S. Latinos get news.

Attention to news is declining among U.S. Latinos

A line chart showing that Attention to news has declined since 2020 among U.S. Hispanics

About one-in-five Latino adults (22%) say they follow the news all or most of the time, while an additional 36% follow the news some of the time. The share of Latinos who follow the news all or most of the time has fluctuated in recent years but has dropped by 9 percentage points between 2020 (31%) and 2023 (22%), similar to a pattern seen across the general U.S. public .

In recent years, Hispanic Americans have followed the news less closely than Black and White Americans. Again, the high share of young adults within the Hispanic population plays a role, because young people are less likely to follow the news closely. Among Hispanic adults ages 18 to 29, just 10% say they follow the news all or most of the time – far below the share of Hispanics ages 65 and older who do so (44%).

Jump to more information on U.S. Hispanics’ news consumption habits.

Half of Hispanic adults get news from Hispanic news outlets

Bar charts showing that U.S.-born Hispanics less likely than immigrants to get news from Hispanic news outlets and about origin countries

Half of U.S. Hispanic adults say they at least sometimes get news from Hispanic news outlets – those that specifically cater to Hispanic audiences. This includes 21% who say they do this extremely or very often. Just over half of Hispanics (54%) get news about their or their family’s country of origin at least sometimes, including 24% who do this often. 

Hispanic immigrants are much more likely than U.S.-born Hispanics to get news from Hispanic outlets and about their origin country. In both cases, about seven-in-ten immigrants say they at least sometimes get these types of news: 69% get news from Hispanic outlets and 72% get news about their country of origin. Among Hispanic adults who were born in the U.S., 33% at least sometimes get news from Hispanic outlets, and 38% get news about their family’s country of origin.

There are further differences among U.S.-born Hispanics: Those whose parents were also born in the U.S. are even less likely than those with one or more immigrant parent to get these types of news.

Jump to more information on Hispanic news outlets and news about Hispanic Americans’ origin countries.

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Director panch engages with attendees

This week with NSF Director Panchanathan

This week, Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, has been actively forwarding science, education and engineering initiatives through meaningful collaborations with congressional leaders and NSF researchers. His efforts underscore a steadfast commitment to catalyzing innovation and progress across these vital sectors. 

Director Panch at the Quantum Hill event

Director Panchanathan spoke at the AI Robotics Showcase hosted by the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus. There, he engaged with both government officials and AI researchers, highlighting the importance of collaboration for future technical progress and NSF's commitment to continuously seek opportunities to partner across industries, academia, government and other entities to ensure that NSF is at the forefront of revolutionizing and securing U.S. global leadership in AI.   

Director Panchanathan emphasized NSF's commitment to investing in quantum information science and engineering research, technology and education during NSF's Quantum Research Showcase, hosted by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The director provided keynote remarks at the event alongside key committee leaders, including its Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Research and Technology Haley Stevens (D-MA). NSF has long been a leading federal funder of quantum research and education, and the event brought together 37 NSF-funded researchers, educators and students from around the country to discuss their work with federal policymakers.

Director Panch at a gala

Later in the week, at the National Science Board meeting, the director provided comprehensive updates on NSF's various programs, initiatives and investments, demonstrating the agency's broad scope of influence in shaping the future of science and technology. In the evening, he gave opening remarks at the National Science Board Awards Gala, celebrating Alan T. Waterman awardees' contributions to scientific progress alongside friends, colleagues and NSF partners.

The future of nuclear technologies: key trends, threats and opportunities

Scientists identify and analyse trends that are shaping the development of nuclear technology in the EU, including, among other, start-ups, decarbonisation and integration of digital technologies.

A researcher mounting a sample of nuclear material inside a vacuum chamber in the glovebox

A JRC study applying foresight methodologies identified 11 topics critical to the future of nuclear technology in the EU. They range from the resurgence of nuclear start-ups to the potential for nuclear technology to facilitate decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors and the integration of digital technologies into the nuclear sector.

The study, Long-Term Horizon Scanning for Nuclear Technologies Yearly Report – 2023 , also looked into potential threats and opportunities mid-term (2033) and longer-term (2053), and emphasised the need for an ongoing anticipatory approach to policy-making.

The nuclear industry is experiencing a renaissance with the rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), leading to numerous start-ups using digital tools. Moreover, due to the current geopolitical situation, the topic of nuclear fuel strategic autonomy is a key element for achieving self-sufficient fuel production in Europe. The introduction of new technologies and design methods should also help the nuclear industry to respond to the growing reliance on digital infrastructure.

To reach the objectives of the EU Green Deal and to meet the EU’s climate change mitigation and energy-mix targets for 2030, nuclear energy could offer solutions to reduce emissions in industries that have traditionally been difficult to decarbonise, through for example clean hydrogen production. These industries include steel, cement, petrochemicals, aluminium, aviation, concrete, shipping, and trucking, collectively accounting for nearly 30% of global emissions.

In a separate study , the JRC elaborates on the potential of nuclear hydrogen in steelmaking, an industry responsible for around 5% of all CO2 emissions in the EU. Hydrogen could be used in the production of steel, and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) could co-generate hydrogen, electricity, and heat locally at the steel mill, improving efficiency and simplifying the required infrastructure. HTGRs have already been built in some European countries with new initiatives continuing to emerge, demonstrating the feasibility of the technology.

Nuclear technologies may also be integrated into the EU’s circular economy model, to address radioactive waste challenges. In its horizon scanning for nuclear technologies in the future, the first study identifies an opportunity for the EU to decide on a course of action in the area of nuclear energy in space, and to become a relevant actor in shaping the role of nuclear energy in space.

Furthermore, the fast advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology raises safety concerns, which have led to the effort to try to regulate and control its use. Historical frameworks such as the Euratom Treaty , which was instrumental in fostering the growth and collaboration around nuclear technology in Europe, can provide valuable precedents for developing cooperative approaches to contemporary challenges, such as the regulation and development of AI.

All the opportunities and challenges identified in the two studies require technology and talent for long term operation. Notably, the nuclear sector needs to attract young skilled talents, to maintain nuclear competences and skills, and the deployment of innovative technologies for a safer, more secure and efficient use of nuclear energy.

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Long-Term Horizon Scanning for Nuclear Technologies Yearly Report – 2023

Nuclear Hydrogen for Steelmaking

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  1. 144+ Awesome Research Topics in Linguistics

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  2. Linguistics Research Topics: 65 Ideas for Linguistics Students

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  4. 180 Engaging Literary Research Topics to Focus On

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  6. 130+ Excellent Linguistics Research Topics and Ideas

    research topics on language

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  1. 211 Interesting Research Topics in Linguistics For Your Thesis

    Linguistics Research Paper Topics. If you want to study how language is applied and its importance in the world, you can consider these Linguistics topics for your research paper. They are: An analysis of romantic ideas and their expression amongst French people. An overview of the hate language in the course against religion.

  2. 55 Top-Rated Research Topics in Linguistics For an A+

    A critical evaluation of language and ethnicity. Analyzing language attrition among most English speakers. Distinct functions of language among different communities. Interesting Topics in ...

  3. Language and linguistics

    Drawing upon the philosophical theories of language—that the meaning and inference of a word is dependent on its use—we argue that the context in which use of the term patient occurs is ...

  4. 130+ Original Linguistics Research Topics: That Need To Know

    Here are some excellent research topics in sociolinguistics: An analysis of how sociolinguistics can help people understand multi-lingual language choices. An analysis of sociolinguistics through America's color and race background. The role of sociolinguistics in children development.

  5. Trends and hot topics in linguistics studies from 2011 to 2021: A

    topics in language research, f or example, applied linguistics, language u se, se cond langu age. 5. Discussion and implications. Based on 143 highly cited papers collected from the W oS .

  6. Research on Language and Social Interaction

    The journal as we know now it started when Stuart Sigman took over Papers in Linguistics on the death of Tony Vanek in 1987. He renamed it Research on Language in Social Interaction, putting out a double issue on multi-channel codes. Thereafter Robert Sanders took on the responsibilities of Editor (with Sigman staying on as Associate Editor ...

  7. Research Questions in Language Education and Applied Linguistics

    The [150] chapters are written by experts in the field who each offer their insights into current and future directions of research, and who suggest several highly relevant research questions. Topics include, but are not limited to: language skills teaching, language skills assessment and testing, measurement, feedback, discourse analysis ...

  8. Second Language Research: Sage Journals

    Second Language Research is an international peer-reviewed, quarterly journal, publishing original theory-driven research concerned with second language acquisition and second language performance. This includes both experimental studies and contributions aimed at exploring conceptual issues. In addition to providing a forum for investigators in the field of non-native language learning...

  9. New Ideas in Language Sciences: Linguistics

    The language sciences are inherently interdisciplinary, intersecting with disciplines such as cognitive sciences, neuropsychology, informatics, musicology, and social sciences. New ideas in interdisciplinary sub-disciplines such as psycho-, neuro-, or computational linguistics have informed and enriched core topics in linguistics such as comprehension, production, and acquisition of language.

  10. Top 100 Linguistic Research Topics for Students

    Here is a list of the most interesting linguistics topics that students can choose for their papers and essays. Explain how sociolinguistics help people understand multi-lingual language choices. A study of differences and similarities of Post-Tudor English. How language encourages gender differences.

  11. Applied Linguistics Research: Current Issues, Methods, and Trends

    This chapter provides a broad contextualisation of the Handbook, locating its focus within current debates and concerns of relevance to the field of applied linguistics.The editors highlight the field's growing interest in research methodology and offer a rationale for the selection of topics and issues in the Handbook, such as methodological reform, transparency, transdisciplinarity, and ...

  12. Researching language and cognition in bilinguals

    Topics like motion are then ideal testbeds for different theoretical and empirical approaches to research on language and cognition, including linguistic relativity research. This special issue then includes two papers about motion that illustrate this point: Filipović, and Nicoladis and Gao.

  13. 55 Best Research Topics in Linguistics For Top Students

    55 Top-Rated Research Topics in Linguistics For an A+. The field of linguistics is one of the easiest yet challenging subjects for college and university students. Areas such as phonology, phonetics, syntax, morphology, and semantics in linguistics can keep you up all night. That is why we came up with these quality language research topics.

  14. Research Topics

    Cognitive and Neural Mechanisms of Language Comprehension and Production. . Word Processing. . What are the basic building blocks of words? How do we access the form and meaning of words? How are words represented and organized? Giesbrecht, Camblin & Swaab, 2004; Swaab, Baynes & Knight, 2002. Ferreira et al, 2013.

  15. Trends and hot topics in linguistics studies from 2011 to 2021: A

    High citations most often characterize quality research that reflects the foci of the discipline. This study aims to spotlight the most recent hot topics and the trends looming from the highly cited papers (HCPs) in Web of Science category of linguistics and language & linguistics with bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric information of the 143 HCPs based on Essential Citation Indicators ...

  16. 100+ Compelling Linguistics Research Topics for University ...

    Explain the role of language in building a national identity for developing a multicultural society. Digital Revolution: impact of computers in modern language. A systematic review on vowel pronunciation in the American Schools. Significance of language in creating cross-cultural communities: A comprehensive review.

  17. Language Teaching Research: Sage Journals

    Language Teaching Research is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes research within the area of second or foreign language teaching. Although articles are written in English, the journal welcomes studies dealing with the teaching of languages other than English as well. The journal is a venue for studies that demonstrate sound research methods ...

  18. Research on learning and teaching of languages other than English in

    The 208 articles focusing on LOTEs address a variety of topics in language education, which can be roughly classified into two groups (see Fig. 2).Since the journal prioritises the publication of studies with significant implications for language teaching and research, it is not surprising to see that the first group of topics in the scholarship on LOTEs relates to language pedagogy and ...

  19. The Littlest Linguists: New Research on Language Development

    Specifically, caregivers' language is often fine-tuned to children's current linguistic knowledge and vocabulary, providing an optimal level of complexity to support language learning. In their new research, Leung and colleagues add to the body of knowledge involving how caregivers foster children's language acquisition.

  20. Top 119+ Innovative Language Development Research Topics

    Here is the list of the top 119+ language development research topics accoding to different categories. Let's look. How Kids Learn. How thinking helps kids learn language. How kids learn words and sentences. How memory helps kids learn language. How paying attention helps kids learn the language.

  21. language learning research: Topics by Science.gov

    Petron, Mary, Ed.; Luke, Christopher, Ed. 2011-01-01. " Research Informing Practice--Practice Informing Research: Innovative Teaching Methodologies for World Language Educators" is an edited volume that focuses on innovative, nontraditional methods of teaching and learning world languages. Using teacher- research projects, each author in the ...

  22. Automated Social Science: Language Models as Scientist and Subjects

    DOI 10.3386/w32381. Issue Date April 2024. We present an approach for automatically generating and testing, in silico, social scientific hypotheses. This automation is made possible by recent advances in large language models (LLM), but the key feature of the approach is the use of structural causal models. Structural causal models provide a ...

  23. Apple releases eight small AI language models aimed at on-device use

    On Wednesday, Apple introduced a set of tiny source-available AI language models called OpenELM that are small enough to run directly on a smartphone. They're mostly proof-of-concept research ...

  24. Senior Presenters Unveil Global Complexities: Exploring Cultural

    The panel on Conflict Zones, specifically, intrigued me because it offered a lens of thinking about several topics we wouldn't normally care about. They showed it mattered, for me to show you that it really does matter. The exploration of language ideologies in Mauritius, the complex yet fascinating web of transitional justice, the ...

  25. Two students present research at NeMLA conference

    Gabby Wilbur '24 and Sydney Alves '25 recently became among the first Wheaton College students to participate in the Northeast Modern Language Association Undergraduate Forum (NeMLA). At the March 2024 event, each student presented original research among peers representing institutions from across the country.

  26. How Hispanic Americans Get Their News

    About a quarter of Hispanic Americans (23%) say they consume news in both languages about equally. There is an almost identical pattern on the question of preferred language for news: 51% prefer to get their news in English, 24% prefer Spanish and 23% say they do not have a preference. But a new Pew Research Center survey of adults who identify ...

  27. This week with NSF Director Panchanathan

    May 3, 2024. This week, Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, has been actively forwarding science, education and engineering initiatives through meaningful collaborations with congressional leaders and NSF researchers. His efforts underscore a steadfast commitment to catalyzing innovation and progress ...

  28. The future of nuclear technologies: trends, threats and opportunities

    The future of nuclear technologies: key trends, threats and opportunities. Scientists identify and analyse trends that are shaping the development of nuclear technology in the EU, including, among other, start-ups, decarbonisation and integration of digital technologies. A JRC study applying foresight methodologies identified 11 topics critical ...