Yvonne Lam, PhD, MA, BA (Hons)

Area of Study / Keywords

multilingualism language ideologies identity Indigenous languages heritage languages second language acquisition

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About

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics, with a joint appointment to the Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies (Spanish). I also co-direct the Sociocultural Linguistics Lab at the University of Alberta. I hold a PhD (2003) in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Toronto.

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Research

My research examines how multilingual speakers of Indigenous languages, heritage (immigrant) languages, and additional languages use their linguistic repertoire. I adopt an interdisciplinary approach, both theoretically and methodologically, to study the interrelationships between language practices, ideologies, and identities. My collaborations have involved Indigenous communities in Mexico and heritage language communities in Canada.

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Teaching

I teach undergraduate courses in Spanish language and linguistics as well as both undergraduate and graduate courses in general linguistics. I have supervised or examined MA and PhD students from different departments who work on a range of topics concerning multilinguailsm. I have also supervised numerous undergraduate honours students as well as winners of the Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Researcher Award.

LING 224 - Endangered Languages

Examination of local and global factors affecting the vitality of languages today. Students will learn about how language endangerment arises, how linguistic and cultural diversity suffers, and how linguists can respond.

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LING 316 - Sociolinguistics

Examination of the social and linguistic factors that influence how people use language, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. Students will consider how different ways of speaking can shape social interactions and identities. Prerequisite: LING 101. Not offered every year.

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SPAN 373 - Spanish as a World Language

Focus on the evolution of Spanish from Latin and its spread around the world. Examines the different varieties of Spanish as well as practices and attitudes regarding the use of Spanish in different regions. Prerequisite: SPAN 300 or 306 or consent of Department. Note: Not open to students with credit in SPAN 372. May be taken in place of SPAN 372 for program requirements.

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SPAN 475 - Spanish in Society

Language as a social phenomenon. Description of dialects in Spanish. Language shift, bilingualism, language attrition, code-switching and language attitudes. Prerequisites: 3 units in SPAN at the 300-level excluding 300 and 306, or consent of Department.

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Browse more courses taught by Yvonne Lam

Yvonne Lam, Evangelia Daskalaki

Greek in minoritized contests: Identities, authenticities, and institutions (Eds. M. J. Hadodo, P. Karatsareas, & E. Ioannidou). 2024 October; 10.4324/9781003269694-9

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David Beck; Yvonne Lam

Tlalocan: Revista de fuentes para el conocimiento de las culturas indígenas de México. 2020 January; XXV

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Yvonne Lam

Anthropological Linguistics. 2020 January; 62 (2):159-182

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Yvonne Lam

Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics. 2018 January; 21 (1):1-22

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Yvonne Lam

Ichan Tecolotl: Puntos de Encuentro. 2018 January; mayo 2018

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Yvonne Lam

In P. Levy & D. Beck (Eds.), Las lenguas totonacas y tepehuas: Textos y otros materiales para su estudio. Mexico City, Mexico: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.. 2012 January;

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Yvonne Lam

Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics. 2010 January; 13 (2):54-72

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Yvonne Lam

Language Awareness. 2009 January; 18 (1):2-18

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Yvonne Lam

International Journal of the Sociology of Language. 2009 January; 195

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