About Me
I'm a postdoctoral researcher in linguistics whose work focuses on improving our understanding of the grammars of different sign languages. While my research centers on German Sign Language (DGS), I have worked and continue to work on a range of spoken and signed languages including American Sign Language (ASL), Dutch Sign Language (NGT), Uruguayan Sign Language (LSU), German, and English.
I hold a Magister Artium from Leipzig University, an M.A. from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin.
Education
2011 - 2017
PhD in Linguistics (UT Austin)
Thesis: The syntax and semantics of resultative constructions in Deutsche Gebärdensprache (DGS) and American Sign Language (ASL)
Adviser: Richard Meier
2010 - 2011
MA in General Linguistics (U of Amsterdam)
Thesis: Quite a mouthful: Comparing speech act verbs in Nederlandse Gebarentaal and American Sign Language
Adviser: Roland Pfau
2003 - 2009
Magistra Artium in British Studies, Hispanic Studies and Psychology (U of Leipzig)
Thesis: Word formation in American Sign Language: Investigating headedness in ASL compounds
Advisers: Doris Schönefeld, Claudia Becker
Research interests
My research interests include:
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Sign languages
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Morphosyntax (esp. classifier constructions)
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Semantics & Pragmatics
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Cross-modal and cross-linguistic comparison
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Iconicity
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Linguistic properties of signed literature & poetry