PhD Title

Why is there Multigraphia among Uyghur Language Users in Modern Xinjiang?

Supervisors

Professor Flemming Christiansen, Dr Diane Nelson and Dr Nic Tranter (based in WREAC Sheffield)

Research Study

I am researching the phenomenons of multigraphia (different alphabets being used for the same language) and multiorthographia (different spelling systems within the same alphabet to write the same language) that can be found when writing the Uyghur language by people based in Xinjiang, north west China. I am studying the different motivations of different language users for using the Arabic, Cyrillic and Latin alphabets to write Uyghur for different types of text. Aside from the choice of script, I am also looking at why there is spelling variation within these alphabets. I am also looking at how local and international language policy is helping to dictate which alphabets people use.

Background

I began this PhD after completing an MA in Chinese and Russian translation at Leeds. Prior to that I had been living in China, teaching English and studying Chinese at university in Xi'an.

Email: sml6dey@leeds.ac.uk