Research

9 THEMATIC AXES

CROS covers a wide variety of subject matters concerning contact situations between the Hispanic world and other languages and cultures, which are tackled from both a linguistic and literary perspective. More particularly, the research carried out within the group can be clustered around 9 thematic axes.

1.  Multilingualism, multiculturalism, and second language acquisition

Multilingualism and multiculturalism have become an inherent part of our everyday lives. Through globalization, colonization, and immigration, people from diverse cultures and backgrounds live together and interact with each other (i.e. multiculturalism). Concurrently, the knowledge and use of multiple languages (i.e. multilingualism) entail both possibilities and challenges. The CROS group examines the relationship between second language acquisition, multilingualism, and cognition by exploring scientific evidence on the cognitive advantages multilingual people acquire, such as metalinguistic awareness, working memory, and problem-solving capacities. Likewise, we want to gain insight into the relationship between multilingualism and second/additional language acquisition, into information processes in a multilingual mind, and how this can be appreciated and applied in multicultural environments.

 

Members who work on this

Prof. Dr. Renata Enghels Universiteit Gent Prof. Dr. Silvia Betti Università di Bologna
Prof. Dr. Ilse Logie Universiteit Gent Andrea Brandani Università di Bologna
Margot Vanhaverbeke Universiteit Gent Prof. Dr. M.Carmen Parafita Couto Universiteit Leiden/Universidade de Vigo
Simon Claassen Universiteit Gent Dr. Tomás Espino Barrera Universidad de Granada
Prof. Dr. An Vande Casteele Vrije Universiteit Brussel Prof. Dr. Montserrat Martínez Vazquez Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Valentina Di Nunno Vrije Universiteit Brussel Dr. Simona-Luiza Țigriș University of Bucharest
Anastasija Jagafarova Vrije Universiteit Brussel Prof. Dr. Cristian Tugues Rodríguez La Trobe University
Jovana Stanojevic Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Brenthe Tilburghs Vrije Universiteit Brussel

2. Contact linguistics and codeswitching

As one of the products of bi- and/or multilingualism, codeswitching has been a growing area of study in academic research, giving rise to interesting new research questions. The CROS group focuses on three topics of interest. First, there is a wide controversy as to whether or not natural codeswitching can be studied by means of literary works. To answer this question, our group systematically compares codeswitching phenomena in literary texts and oral corpora. A second line of research investigates the underlying system that defines (Spanish-English) codeswitching. Third, Spanish comes into contact with many other languages other than English across the world (with Basque, Catalan, and Galician in Spain; with Nahuatl, Quechua, Aymara, Maya, and Guarani in Mexico, Central, and South America; with other European languages such as Portuguese, Italian, and German in South America). Spanish has also greatly influenced the development of creole languages (e.g. in the Philippines and the Caribbean). Future research of the group will analyze to what extent the results of language contact between Spanish and different languages parallel those between Spanish and English.

 

Members who work on this

Prof. Dr. Renata Enghels Universiteit Gent Prof. Dr. Silvia Betti Università di Bologna
Margot Vanhaverbeke Universiteit Gent Andrea Brandani Università di Bologna
Simon Claassen Universiteit Gent Prof. Dr. M.Carmen Parafita Couto Universiteit Leiden/Universidade de Vigo
Prof. Dr. An Vande Casteele Vrije Universiteit Brussel Prof. Dr. Montserrat Martínez Vazquez Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Mariela Andrade Vrije Universiteit Brussel Dr. Simona-Luiza Țigriș University of Bucharest
Prof. Dr. Cristian Tugues Rodríguez La Trobe University

3. Identity construction

The ease of mobility of the 20th century accelerated contact between individuals and promoted the fusion and coexistence of two or more cultural systems, resulting in an identity that spanned two languages, two identities, and two worlds. The CROS group is particularly interested in how the construction of hybrid identities relates to particular language practices, such as codeswitching (cf. axis 2), and how it is expressed in literature. Which type of narrative discourse is privileged? What factors (social, cultural, religious, regional…) are reflected in literature and what are the means to do so?

 

Members who work on this

Prof. Dr. Diana Castilleja Vrije Universiteit Brussel Dr. Tomás Espino Barrera Universidad de Granada
Mariela Andrade Vrije Universiteit Brussel Prof. Dr. Helena Houvenaghel Universiteit Utrecht
Prof. Dr. Ilse Logie Universiteit Gent Elena Alonso Otero Universiteit Utrecht

4. Migration and displacement

Another defining aspect of the 20th century lies in the significant increase in migration and displacements. Whether these are chosen or forced, or motivated by political, religious, or personal factors, there is no doubt that the different narratives related to them offer a writing that reflects the intertwining of geographical and generic limits. Our aim is to analyze the different forms of convergence of the diverse genres (literary, visual…) where hybrid narratives grant legitimacy and enhance the experience of the migratory experience.

 

Members who work on this

Prof. Dr. Renata Enghels Universiteit Gent Prof. Dr. Silvia Betti Universitá di Bologna
Laurence De Backer Universiteit Gent Dr. Tomás Espino Barrera Universidad de Granada
Prof. Dr. Diana Castilleja Vrije Universiteit Brussel Prof. Dr. Helena Houvenaghel Universiteit Utrecht

5. (Metaphoric) representations of and by people on the move

This thematic axis embraces two main lines of inquiry. The first seeks to investigate the ways in which the topic of Latin American migration is represented in the discourse of (mass) media outlets across the world and how this might impact public opinion formation. Particular attention is paid to the role of metaphorical language and framing. The second explores personal narratives of Latinxs authors with a migration background to discern how and by means of what rhetorical and literary strategies they represent themselves and their journeys.

 

Members who work on this

Laurence De Backer Universiteit Gent

6. Space, place, and borders

The CROS group is interested in delving into some aspects of the representation of space, place, and borders in literature. How do the concepts of cartography fit into the literature? How is spatiality defined? How are borders perceived? What is considered a border zone? How is identity constructed at the borders? How are social, linguistic, and gender borderlines expressed? Are these borderlines also (re)created or even emphasized through language? Is it possible to carry out an “emotional cartography” based on the feelings and emotions linked to a -personal or shared- perception of a place?

 

Members who work on this

Prof. Dr. Diana Castilleja Vrije Universiteit Brussel Dr. Simona-Luiza Țigriș University of Bucharest
Prof. Dr. Ilse Logie Universiteit Gent Luna Carrasquer Universiteit Utrecht
Carmen Márquez Martín Universiteit Utrecht

7. Intermediality and generic hybridity as literary strategies

Migration and displacement have not only had an impact on people’s language use in contact situations, but it has also left marks in their literary writings. Chicano literature, for example, first appeared as a critical and artistic response to the prejudice and discrimination against Mexicans in the U.S. and represents the hybrid identity of this minority. Our group is interested in the literary strategies that are used in these hybrid narratives, focusing on three research topics in particular. In autofictional works, our members investigate the autofictional nature and the use of testimonials, diaries, and memorabilia/memories to create that space between reality and fiction. We also want to gain insight into how dual/hybrid identities affect the metaliterary reflection of an author, character, or narrator in metaliterary texts. Finally, our group focuses on the intermediality of these hybrid narratives: what kind of audiovisual media are included and their effects on the text and reading process.

 

Members who work on this

Prof. Dr. Helena Houvenaghel Universiteit Utrecht Luna Carrasquer Universiteit Utrecht
Prof. Dr. Diana Castilleja Vrije Universiteit Brussel Carmen Márquez Martín Universiteit Utrecht

8. Transgenerational narratives

Given that the migration experience has changed markedly from the first generation to the present, a transgenerational analysis of these culturally hybrid narratives will highlight the ways in which the legacy of US-Latinx writers has been reconfigured by a new generation when referring to topics such as immigration, identity construction, sociocultural dynamics, language’s choice, transmission of family values, social integration, and traumatic experiences, among others. It will also highlight the significant changes and/or connections in the aforementioned issues compared to their predecessors.

 

Members who work on this

Prof. Dr. Diana Castilleja Vrije Universiteit Brussel

9. Interlanguage pragmatics

Interlanguage pragmatics typically focuses on speech manners, politeness, conversational patterns, and intercultural communication. By contrasting language learners’ linguistic proficiency with their productive pragmalinguistic competence, this study area seeks to shed light on interlanguage variation. In particular, the goal is to identify the linguistic aspects that contribute to a successfully produced discourse achieving its communicative goals. Aspects taken into consideration are (1) the role of specific linguistic devices (e.g. the use of discourse markers) as hedging devices to alter the impact of an utterance; (2) the role of politeness orientation in speech act realizations and interactions between speakers with different linguistic backgrounds; (3) the characteristics of different types of turn-taking strategies in language learners’ discourse; and (4) the effect of instruction on L2 pragmatic competence, among others.