Alumni Events

August 2, 2021 at 7:00 am

50th Anniversary Linguistics Colloquium | Elizabeth Ray on Gestures Used by Bilingual Teenagers to Resolve Lexical Ambiguity, Nov. 12

Elizabeth Michelle Ray, portrait

Elizabeth Michelle Ray

The Linguistics Colloquium series presents Elizabeth Michelle Ray discussing “Gestures Used by Bilingual Teenagers to Resolve Lexical Ambiguity ” on Friday Nov. 12. from 12:55 to 1:50 p.m. via Microsoft TEAMS.

Contact Dr. David Bell, linguistics chair, belld@ohio.edu, for questions.

Ray is a professor at Escola das Nações School of Nations International School in Brasilia, Brazil. An alumna of Ohio University, she earned a B.A. in 2012 and an M.A. in Linguistics 2015.

Abstract: Gestures are known to assist in communication for monolingual adults and can even assist in language development in monolingual children. Gestures are viewed as being beneficial in the classroom to ESL adults. What role do gestures play in bilingual teenagers’ communication? This research examines the gestures used by teenagers who are native speakers of Portuguese and have been at a bilingual school for their entire education experience. More specifically, it examines the use of gestures to resolve lexical ambiguity.

About Linguistics’ 50th Anniversary Celebration

“We are really looking forward to everyone joining us this year, either live in person or via Microsoft TEAMS to celebrate our anniversary,” said Bell, who also invited alumni and friends to add their names to the donor wall by making a gift, of whatever amount, to the Linguistics Department’s crowdfunding campaign.

He noted that all funds go to support our students’ registration and travel expenses to conferences where they will present their research.

“And please stay in touch! Send us a message on our Linguistics FB page at https://www.facebook.com/LingDeptOHIO,” he added.

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