Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Our Linguistics and Applied Linguistics program is #2 in Australia and #25 in the world (QS rankings 2021).
Our academic staff teach and carry out research into the nature of language in all aspects, including its structure and use, how it’s learnt, how it can be taught, and how language knowledge can be assessed.
Apart from our subjects and research projects, we supervise higher degree coursework and research programs such as the Master of Applied Linguistics and the PhD. Our research centres and units provide focus on specific research areas such as language testing, language typology, language acquisition and language processing, particularly in Indigenous languages.
Explore our research
Learn more about the funded research projects conducted by our staff, research students and postdoctoral fellows.
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1 Potato, 2 Wotatoes, 3 Otatoes: Lexical Access In Australian Languages
This project aims to investigate how listeners use cues from the way speech sounds are produced to break the speech stream into individual, recognisable words.
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Are super-complex words represented like sentences in speakers’ minds?
By examining speakers’ knowledge of super-complex words in the remote Australian language Wubuy, this project seeks to challenge our views on the concept of what a ‘word’ is and thereby the foundations of language description and speech processing.
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Aboriginal language use in Darwin
Dr John Mansfield investigates how highly complex Aboriginal languages, traditionally spoken by small semi-nomadic clan groups, are used in an urban context.
Learn about our research centres, hubs and units
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ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language
The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language investigates how languages vary, how we learn them, how we process them, and how they evolve.
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Language Testing Research Centre
The Language Testing Research Centre is an international leader in research and development in language assessment, and in language program evaluation.
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Phonetics Laboratory
The Phonetics Laboratory focuses on phonetics teaching, speech science and laboratory phonology research.
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Research Unit for Indigenous Language
The Research Unit for Indigenous Language works with Indigenous communities to expand and strengthen Indigenous Language research and support communities to maintain their linguistic and cultural heritage.
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Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-Cultural Communication
The Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-Cultural Communication conducts research in areas including bilingual education, second language acquisition, inter-cultural communication and language policy.
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Research Hub for Language in Forensic Evidence
We serve as a national hub coordinating research involving linguistics, law, and law enforcement. Our aim is to assist the courts in ensuring that language & speech in forensic evidence is used in the interests of justice and fairness.
Study with us
We offer a range of study options for you to advance your expertise in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. Learn more about studying:
Meet our Linguistics and Applied Linguistics staff
Our academics are leading teachers, researchers and industry professionals.
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Associate Professor Brett Baker
Associate Professor of Linguistics; Discipline Chair, Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61390354687
Email: bjbaker@unimelb.edu.au -
Rohan Chandran
Test Development Specialist, Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC)
Email: rohanc@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr Ivy Chen
Research Fellow, Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC)
Email: ivy.chen@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr Lucinda Davidson
Postdoctoral Fellow in Indigenous child Language Development
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Dr Rebecca Defina
Postdoctoral Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language
Phone: +61383445510
Email: rebecca.defina@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Chloe Diskin-Holdaway
Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61383443676
Email: chloe.diskinholdaway@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Jason Fan
Deputy Director, Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC)
Phone: +61383448198
Email: jinsong.fan@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Helen Fraser
Professor Of Linguistics; Director of the Research Hub for Language in Forensic Evidence
Email: helen.fraser@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr Jennifer Green
Postdoctoral Fellow in Australian Sign Languages
Phone: +61390353255
Email: jag@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Paul Gruba
Associate Professor In Communication Skills Languages And Linguistics
Phone: +61383448973
Email: p.gruba@unimelb.edu.au -
Ms Annemiek Huisman
Research Assistant in the Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC)
Phone: +61383444389
Email: annemiek.huisman@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Steve Kelly
Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow
Phone: +61383444520
Email: kellysw@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Ute Knoch
Associate Professor In Language Testing; Director, Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC)
Phone: +61383445206
Email: uknoch@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Debbie Loakes
Postdoctoral Fellow, Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Email: dloakes@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr John Mansfield
ARC DECRA Research Fellow, Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61383448715
Email: john.mansfield@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Olga Maxwell
Lecturer in ESL
Phone: +61390358754
Email: omaxwell@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Janne Morton
Senior Lecturer in ESL
Phone: +61383449688
Email: jannem@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Rachel Nordlinger
Professor in Linguistics; Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language; Director, Research Unit of Indigenous Languages (RUIL)
Phone: +61383444227
Email: racheln@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Sally O'Hagan
Research Fellow, Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC)
Phone: +61390353971
Email: sohagan@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Carsten Roever
Associate Professor in Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61383444919
Email: carsten@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Ruth Singer
Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow
Email: rsinger@unimelb.edu.au
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Professor Lesley Stirling
Head of School, Languages and Linguistics Professor in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61383445192
Email: lesleyfs@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Neomy Storch
Associate Professor in ESL
Phone: +61383445208
Email: neomys@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Nick Thieberger
Principal Fellow of Linguistics
Phone: +61383448952
Email: thien@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Jill Vaughan
ELDP Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Unit for Indigenous Language (RUIL)
Phone: +61383440909
Email: j.vaughan@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Helen Zhao
Lecturer in Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61383449029
Email: helen.zhao@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Janet Fletcher
Professor of Linguistics & Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61383445190
Email: j.fletcher@unimelb.edu.au -
Jonathon Lum
Lecturer in Linguistics
Email: jonathon.lum@unimelb.edu.au
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Giuseppe D'Orazzi
Lecturer in Esl and Applied Linguistics
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Rikke Bundgaard-Nielsen
Academic Lead - Arts Discovery & Tutor (Ta - P)
Email: rikkieb@unimelb.edu.au
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Michelle Czajkowski
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Niles Zhao
Email: niles.zhao@unimelb.edu.au