LALS Staff Awards
LALS Staff members receive Excellence Awards
Dr John Macalister, School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, receives Research Award
Dr John Macalister’s research interests include second language reading and writing, issues in language learning and New Zealand English. He teaches courses in language teaching methodology and curriculum design.
One area of Dr Macalister’s research has focused on the relationship between te reo Māori and New Zealand English since 1840. The monolingualism of modern New Zealand has often been remarked on, but statutory and demographic changes in recent years suggest a shift away from the dominance of the English language. New Zealand now has two other official languages: the Māori language and New Zealand Sign Language.
There is considerable investment in the revitalisation of te reo Māori, the presence of words of Māori origin in New Zealand English is increasing, and census data report a decreasing proportion of monolingual English speakers. Is New Zealand, then, becoming more multilingual? A study of a local linguistic landscape would suggest not. This investigation found that in public domains at least the country remains firmly monolingual. There were no signs in te reo Māori and no bilingual signs. The message that the linguistic landscape conveys to speakers of all languages is that only English is spoken here.
Dr Meredith Marra, School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, receives Teaching Award
Dr Meredith Marra, Senior Lecturer, School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, is an excellent teacher who engages in considerable reflection on her teaching.
Along with contributing to student success in general, Dr Marra has had a role in mentoring Māori students and has been an inspirational role model for them, as well as a research collaborator.
The testimonials and references from Dr Marra’s colleagues were unequivocal in their praise and support, and it is evident that she is very collegial in her approach to teaching within Victoria University and beyond.
Language Team receives Public Contribution Award
The “Language Team”—consisting of Dr Dianne Bardsley, Professor Laurie Bauer, Professor Janet Holmes and Associate Professor Paul Warren—effectively communicates language issues to a wide general audience on a regular basis.
The team has gained a high profile, both through its column in The Dominion Post and through regular slots on Radio New Zealand National’s show Sunday Morning with Chris Laidlaw.
In 2011, Random House published an edited selection of the team’s Dominion Post columns in the book Q and Eh: Questions and answers on language with a kiwi twist, attesting to the high regard in which these contributions are held.
The team has built a reputation as leaders in the language field, frequently receiving approaches from media, as well as numerous invitations from organisations to contribute linguistics expertise, including as an expert witness on semantics and interpretation in High Court trials and as language consultants.