Kerry Sluchinski, PhD, MA, BA

Area of Study / Keywords

Pragmatics Semantics Discourse Analysis Computer Mediated Communication Deixis

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About

*For inquiries related to the Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research please email ptjcprog@ualberta.ca

An accomplished linguist, researcher, lecturer, and translator with over a decade of experience in applied linguistics and discourse analysis, Kerry brings a nuanced understanding of East Asian languages and digital communication. As a PhD graduate from the University of Alberta, Kerry’s doctoral research on identity construction within LGBTQ+ communities in Chinese internet discourse sheds light on the innovative use of pronouns like "ta" to foster inclusivity.

Kerry’s teaching philosophy emphasizes a humanistic approach that transcends specific subjects, fostering an atmosphere of "learning together" rooted in collaboration. At the University of Alberta, Kerry integrates pragmatic and discursive insights with practical applications across all courses. Believing in transparent, collaborative, and positive learning environments, Kerry prioritizes open communication, critical thinking, and personalized feedback. This philosophy not only enhances student engagement but also tailors learning experiences to individual needs, creating a responsive and dynamic curriculum.

Recognized with prestigious awards such as the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, Kerry is passionate about bridging traditional linguistic studies with modern digital communication. This passion drives Kerry to explore how language shapes social identities globally, contributing to a more inclusive and comprehensible discourse. Continuously pushing boundaries in the field of linguistics, Kerry is committed to both education and research, advocating for diverse perspectives and advancing understanding across cultures.

As Program Coordinator at the Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research, Kerry contributes to cultivating the Centre and its mandate to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary study and research which promotes Japan Studies (broadly conceived) and strengthens research which situates Japan in a global, transnational or comparative context. 

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Research

Pragmatics, Deixis, Identity (de-/re-/co-)Construction, Discourse Analysis, Computer Mediated Communication, Chinese Linguistics, Korean Linguistics, Japanese Linguistics, Im-/Politeness, Semantic Prosody, Corpus Linguistics. 

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Teaching

Areas of teaching include: Chinese language and linguistics; English language and linguistics; Japanese language and linguistics.

Specific Courses Taught at the University of Alberta:

• CHINA 102 | Basic Chinese II (Mandarin) (Winter 2025)
• CHINA 101 | Basic Chinese I (Mandarin) (Fall 2024)
• EASIA 205 | Language in Chinese Society (Winter 2024)
• CHINA 202 | Basic Chinese IV (Mandarin) (Winter 2024)
• CHINA 302 | Intermediate Chinese II (Mandarin) (Winter 2024)
• EASIA 305 | Introduction to Chinese Linguistics (Fall 2023)
• CHINA 201 | Basic Chinese III (Mandarin) (Fall 2023)
• CHINA 202 | Basic Chinese IV (Mandarin) (Winter 2023) 
• CHINA 201 | Basic Chinese III (Mandarin) (Fall 2022)
• CHINA 101 | Basic Chinese I (Mandarin) (Fall 2022)
• CHINA 202 | Basic Chinese IV (Mandarin) (Winter 2022)
• CHINA 102 | Basic Chinese II (Mandarin) (Winter 2022)
• EXGEN 3155 | Chinese I (Mandarin) (Winter 2020) 
• EXGEN 3155 | Chinese I (Mandarin) (Fall 2018)
• EXGEN 3155 | Chinese I (Mandarin) (Fall 2017)

Specific Courses Taught as Vocational Instructor at the University of Alberta:

• LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (Fall 2023)
• CHINA 101 | Basic Chinese I (Mandarin) (Fall 2022)
• LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (Winter 2019)
• LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (Winter 2018)

Specific Courses as Teaching Assistant at the University of Alberta:

• MLCS 210 | Language(s) of Culture (Winter 2020)
  • Lecture: Gender, Bodies, and Technology: Cyborg -> (XENO) Feminism
  • Lecture: Culture in Space: Walking in the Island
  • Lecture Activity: Orientalism
  • Lecture: Translation & Discourse a Case Study: Translation in a Toronto Hungarian-speaking Roma Community. 
• EASIA 101 | Understanding East Asia – Bridging Program Section (Winter 2016)
  • Lecture: Sino-Japanese Words : Re-borrowing and Nationalism

Started: 2023-01-01

Invited as a collaborator to the project of Dr. Juan Jiang(蒋娟) of Minnan Normal University (闽南师范大学), Dr. Xiaohua Deng (邓晓华) of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (华中科技大学), and Dr. Jianhua Su (苏建华) of Minnan Normal University (闽南师范大学).

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Started: 2021-11-01

In collaboration with the research lab headed by Dr. Shoichi Iwasaki, Asian Languages and Cultures, Univ. of California, Los Angeles.

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Started: 2021-11-01

Language editor for Asian Languages and Linguistics 《亚洲语言与语言学》.

Asian Languages and Linguistics 《亚洲语言与语言学》

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2019-11-01 to 2023-09-01

Translation and Mixed Methods Linguistics Section Editor for Graduate Student Journal Connections (Modern Languages and Cultural Studies Department, University of Alberta).

Kerry Sluchinski

Routledge. 2024 January; 10.4324/9781003398448

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Jordan Gallant, Kerry Sluchinski

Discourse Processes. 2023 December; 10.1080/0163853X.2023.2255075

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Kerry Sluchinski

Japanese/Korean Linguistics 30, CSLI Publications. 2023 September;

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Jennifer Dailey-O'Cain, Kerry Sluchinski

Routledge. 2023 February; 10.4324/9781003227281-7

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Kerry Sluchinski

Chinese Language and Discourse. 2022 July; 10.1075/cld.21008.slu

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Kerry Sluchinski

Japanese/Korean Linguistics, CSLI Publications. 2022 May; 29

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Kerry Sluchinski

University of Alberta (unpublished PhD dissertation). 2021 November; 10.7939/r3-gfzn-sz68

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Kerry Sluchinski

Narrative Inquiry. 2021 October; 10.1075/ni.21049.slu

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Kerry Sluchinski

East Asian Pragmatics. 2020 July; 5 (2):247–277 10.1558/eap.39165

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Kerry Sluchinski

University of Alberta (unpublished MA thesis). 2017 March; 10.7939/R3P26QG1G

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Kerry Sluchinski

Studies in translation: history and theory. 2015 August;

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View additional publications

• Research