October 20, 2024
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kristel Doreleijers, an accomplished linguist from the Meertens Institute (KNAW), is joining our HLE Network board as Vice-Chair. Born and raised in Eindhoven, Kristel recently earned her PhD from Tilburg University. Her dissertation focuses on language variation among youth in North Brabant, looking at how young people in Eindhoven use local dialect, in interaction with peers and on social media. Her work shows how dialects -- even though they are changing -- continue to connect young people with their local identity.
Kristel is a passionate advocate for linguistic rights and wants to see increased linguistic diversity in education. She has frequently spoken in the media about language issues and was just this month featured in NRC for her findings on "hyperdialectisms," or exaggerated dialect forms that young speakers use to add a strong local flavor to their speech. Earlier this year, Kristel joined HLE Network's panel discussion “Meertaligheid van Eindhovense Jeugd in Beeld,” where she shared her insights on language rights and mother tongue education.
Kristel’s expertise, broad network, and commitment to linguistic rights will make her an invaluable asset to our board as we continue our work promoting linguistic diversity. She joins us in place of our departing Vice-Chair Geert Simons, to whom we extend our gratitude for his years of service.
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