linguistics

May 20, 2026

Linguistics Professor Walt Wolfram Retires After 34 Years of Elevating North Carolina Voices

Walt Wolfram, a renowned linguistics professor at NC State, is retiring after 34 years in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, leaving a legacy of community-centered research that has reshaped how language connects people. 

Jun 5, 2023

Linguistic Research Team Preserves Local Dialects and Culture

Linguists at NC State are studying language evolution in Chatham County, a historically rural area that's on the fast track for significant growth. 

Jun 28, 2018

6 Expressions Say it All: Language Variation in the Tar Heel State

Six expressions that highlight North Carolina’s unique language tradition. 

Apr 16, 2018

How Memes Use Humor to Discredit African-American English

A recent study finds video memes can use humor to contribute to – and reinforce – negative views of black culture. 

Jul 27, 2017

The Linguistics Behind Dialects

Grad student Jessica Hatcher educates high school students about sociolinguistics to promote inclusion and empathy. 

Mar 17, 2017

Talking Black in America

African American language is central to American life, yet it continues to be misunderstood and marginalized. A new documentary from the Language and Life Project at NC State draws on decades of research to remedy our understanding. 

May 4, 2016

Speaking Her Language

Research awards and scholarships — including a Fulbright — have fostered Jessica Hatcher's love of linguistics. 

Aug 31, 2015

Dialect Influences Appalachian Students’ Experiences in College

Students who speak a stigmatized dialect may be at a disadvantage in the classroom. 

Apr 8, 2015

The Linguists Are Coming! The Linguists Are Coming!

Jeffrey Reaser discusses the importance of linguistics and NC State's role in understanding the language of North Carolina.