Modern Languages and Linguistics Research (UoA26)

International estimates suggest 8% of children experience language difficulties. This can that affect their wellbeing, educational and social functioning.

It can also impact on their socio-economic life-chances. Rates are increasing to 40% in the most socially disadvantaged groups.

Some children will receive a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder. However, many children’s difficulties go unrecognised.

Our research has led to changes in children’s services that affect the life chances of children at risk of poor language development in:

• the UK
• Ireland
• Australia
• Europe

We achieved this through changes in policy, professional practice, and service delivery. They have introduced a public health approach to child language disorders.

This change replaces traditional medical models, placing greater emphasis on:

• early identification and prevention
• the social determinants of child language
• the provision of services that meet the needs of children across the social gradient

This research has transformed the assessment practice of Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs). They often work with people with aphasia (communication difficulties post-stroke) around the world.

The Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT), developed by Howard, has become the assessment of choice for clinical use in the UK.

This has now available in 24 languages. For some countries the adapted CAT is the first aphasia assessment in that language.

The wider research team wrote an influential textbook. SLTs and student SLTs are now equipped with the knowledge to use and interpret the CAT, facilitating their work with people with aphasia.

Corrigan’s impact projects stem from her research findings. She found that the complex relationship between language and identity in Northern Ireland drives social exclusion.

Activities with extensive reach have benefitted wider stakeholders in many ways.

They have:

• raised awareness of translation/interpreting accessibility issues relevant to Mid-Ulster District Council’s residents
• demonstrated how immigrant languages and their speakers add value
• expanded public discourse beyond debates about Irish/Ulster Scots

Nine heritage sector organisations benefited by improved training, outreach capacity and visitor experiences.

Teacher training colleges and schools also benefitted from continuing professional development programmes.

Pupils improved their results in National Tests and competitions. Corrigan’s new online learning resources helped these results.

Northern Ireland's Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment endorses this. So far, it has reached around 57,000 pupils within the region.

Oliart’s research has influenced the shaping of public policy and capacity building in the educational sector in Peru. It has also affected public discourse about education, gender, and race.

Oliart uncovered the social and cultural history of education in Peru. Her work has revealed the institutional cultures of education systems.

Her work influenced Peru’s National Education Plan between 2007 and 2021. It informed education policies for rural girls between 2014 and 2016.

Oliart’s research informed teacher training programmes on and the anthropology of education in Peru and Bolivia.

The Fe y Alegria Education network have also used Oliart’s work. Their collaboration has helped to close the gender gap and improve teacher retention rates.

Natives living in the rural areas of southern Peru speak Amerindian languages of Quechua and Aymara.

Howard collaborated with female indigenous leaders of civil society associations. This benefited bilingual women’s lives in a range of ways.

These women range from age 30 to 60 and work as ad hoc interpreters. They work with monolingual speakers of Quechua or Aymara and Spanish-speaking public service officials.

Linguistic and cultural misunderstandings and prejudice often lead to:

• poor medical attention
• miscarriages of justice
• disregard for human rights

Howard’s project facilitated many benefits, including:

• women’s reflection on how their interpretive practices allay infringements of human rights
• enhancing their sense of worth as bilingual indigenous leaders doing an indispensable job
• creating significant opportunities for their professionalisation

These benefits first changed the lives of the 15 indigenous women involved in the project. Their experience snowballed from which other female members of the regional associations benefited.

Howard’s project catalysed collaboration between a partner non-governmental organisation and the state. This triggered changes in public servants’ practice in the cultural sector. It also heightened public awareness of minority language rights.

Müller's research focuses on the fate of children under Nazi rule and their testimonies.

This work has had significant impacts on charities, schools and authorities, in both the North-East of England and South Africa. It shapes the education of the public about youth in the Third Reich.

Müller created a travelling exhibition on children's lives under Nazi rule. Its associated learning resources have expanded and deepened existing educational provision.

The new focus is on depicting war children's voices from all walks of life.

These interventions have been particularly effective for educating young learners. The resultant changes in educational practices have helped the awareness of the dangers of racism among:

• schoolchildren
• vulnerable youths
• adult exhibition audiences

Müller's research also shapes Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations and related arts performances in the region.