Sociolinguistic Studies from a Multilingual Unit in an EU Institution in Luxembourg
(doctoral research nominated for the Excellent Thesis Award 2024)
This doctoral project promoted meta-pragmatic awareness and efficient communication in a multinational workplace.
The investigation was built upon a pilot study in a terminology and communications unit within an EU institution conducted in 2018/19 in Luxembourg. In subsequent research during 2020-2021, participants reflected on their expectations, experiences, plans, and broader social effects related to their meta-talk on language and multilingualism.
The findings inspire enhancements to the employee experience in the workplace and serve as inspiration for improving the management of language practices within international teams. The study underpins the importance of promoting meta talk in multicultural workplaces and suggests that organizations should encourage employees to openly discuss communication challenges and find ways to address them.
Veronika Lovrits, University of Luxembourg
Assoc. Prof. Sabine Erhart, University of Luxembourg
"What can metalinguistic stances reveal about socio-pragmatic intentions and their implications in the (potentially) multilingual workplace?"
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received for the doctoral research paper “French and language ideologies in a multilingual EU institution: Re-constructing the meaning of a language choice” at the 15th Annual GEM&L Conference “The multiple facets of language in international organizations: New directions for research”, University of Passau, Germany.
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