Research

My research sits at the intersection of historical linguistics, language documentation, Indigenous language revitalisation, colonial translation, archives, and philosophy of language.

Current Thesis Projects

Kaqchikel thesis: My linguistics honors thesis examines how Christian theological concepts were translated into Kaqchikel in Tomás de Coto’s Thesaurus verborum (1656), focusing on borrowing, invention, adaptation, and semantic change.

Philosophy of language thesis: My joint linguistics-philosophy thesis examines gendered profanity and how linguistic practices can constitute gender bias and gender-based oppression.

Research Interests

Kaqchikel and Mayan linguistics
Historical linguistics and colonial translation
Language documentation and revitalisation
Biloxi, Choctaw, Akuzipik, and Indigenous language work
Philosophy of language, gender, profanity, and social meaning
Archives, digital humanities, and public scholarship

Selected Research Experience

George Mason University Language Documentation Lab — Akuzipik Research Assistant
Tunica-Biloxi Language & Culture Revitalisation Project — Biloxi Research Assistant
Tulane University Summer Research Program — Research Fellow
Tulane University History Project — Research Assistant
SHER Lab, Newcomb Institute — Research Intern