Jenneke van der Wal
@jennekevanderwal.bsky.social
Linguist in Leiden, with a passion for African languages.
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Call collaborators
Call for collaborators MapLE project The NWO Vici project ‘Mapping Linguistic Epistemicity’ (MapLE) invites 5 collaborators to help with data collection and analysis. Come join the MapLE team! Desc…
epistemicity.net
CALL FOR COLLABORATORS
The MapLE project is looking for 5 collaborators working on African languages, to collect and analyse data on the speaker’s and addressee’s knowledge in grammar. Will you join our project?
See the website for details:
epistemicity.net/call-collabo...
The MapLE project is looking for 5 collaborators working on African languages, to collect and analyse data on the speaker’s and addressee’s knowledge in grammar. Will you join our project?
See the website for details:
epistemicity.net/call-collabo...
There’s nothing as restorative after a semester if work as a jigsaw puzzle and a good cup of cocoa with spices 😊
December 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
There’s nothing as restorative after a semester if work as a jigsaw puzzle and a good cup of cocoa with spices 😊
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
The French word ‘employer’ (to emploi) has the same origin as ‘impliquer’ (to imply).
The former was inherited from Latin, while the latter was borrowed from it later.
They’re called doublets.
Stay tuned for doublets in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch and English.
The former was inherited from Latin, while the latter was borrowed from it later.
They’re called doublets.
Stay tuned for doublets in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch and English.
December 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The French word ‘employer’ (to emploi) has the same origin as ‘impliquer’ (to imply).
The former was inherited from Latin, while the latter was borrowed from it later.
They’re called doublets.
Stay tuned for doublets in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch and English.
The former was inherited from Latin, while the latter was borrowed from it later.
They’re called doublets.
Stay tuned for doublets in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch and English.
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
A nice piece in the Harvard Gazette about research my lab has been doing on the impact of political conflict and displacement on language endangerment in Cameroon 🌍 🇨🇲 news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
‘Critical tipping point’ for Cameroon’s indigenous languages — Harvard Gazette
Displacement and forced migration trigger alarm about language attrition in Cameroon.
news.harvard.edu
December 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
A nice piece in the Harvard Gazette about research my lab has been doing on the impact of political conflict and displacement on language endangerment in Cameroon 🌍 🇨🇲 news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
Exciting new book out by Karolina Grzech and Henrik Bergqvist - two of my favourite epistemicity experts! Can’t wait to read it 🤓 📖
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Expanding the Boundaries of Epistemicity
This volume posits that evidentials and other types of epistemic marking (i.e. epistemics) are deictic forms, indexing knowledge representation and attribution, and need to be analysed in context. The...
www.degruyterbrill.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Exciting new book out by Karolina Grzech and Henrik Bergqvist - two of my favourite epistemicity experts! Can’t wait to read it 🤓 📖
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
The English word ‘sad’ is related to ‘to satisfy’, ‘to satiate’, ‘saturation’ and ‘asset’.
They all come from a root meaning “to satiate”.
‘Sæd’, the Old English ancestor of ‘sad’, meant “sated; full; weary”. Only much later did it come to mean “sorrowful”.
Zoom in to learn all about this family:
They all come from a root meaning “to satiate”.
‘Sæd’, the Old English ancestor of ‘sad’, meant “sated; full; weary”. Only much later did it come to mean “sorrowful”.
Zoom in to learn all about this family:
December 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The English word ‘sad’ is related to ‘to satisfy’, ‘to satiate’, ‘saturation’ and ‘asset’.
They all come from a root meaning “to satiate”.
‘Sæd’, the Old English ancestor of ‘sad’, meant “sated; full; weary”. Only much later did it come to mean “sorrowful”.
Zoom in to learn all about this family:
They all come from a root meaning “to satiate”.
‘Sæd’, the Old English ancestor of ‘sad’, meant “sated; full; weary”. Only much later did it come to mean “sorrowful”.
Zoom in to learn all about this family:
Had fun making this year’s natural Christmas decorations (and they smell nice too!)
December 14, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Had fun making this year’s natural Christmas decorations (and they smell nice too!)
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
And the results are in! After carefully reviewing the results of a national poll the Board of Directors of the Society for Canadian English (SCE) has determined that this year’s Canadian Word of the Year (CWOTY), the first of its kind, will be “maplewashing.”
December 13, 2025 at 12:50 AM
And the results are in! After carefully reviewing the results of a national poll the Board of Directors of the Society for Canadian English (SCE) has determined that this year’s Canadian Word of the Year (CWOTY), the first of its kind, will be “maplewashing.”
Toch jammer dan Engels zo van z’n spaties houdt, @lingucat.bsky.social, anders had #lettters ook van toepassing kunnen zijn op cross stitch… 🪡
December 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Toch jammer dan Engels zo van z’n spaties houdt, @lingucat.bsky.social, anders had #lettters ook van toepassing kunnen zijn op cross stitch… 🪡
Fascinating language fact #7:
In Tibetan, there are two copulas, Garrett (2001) shows: yin is used when you have personal knowledge whereas ‘red’ is used for information that the speaker is not involved in. Yin thus occurs most often with first person statements:
In Tibetan, there are two copulas, Garrett (2001) shows: yin is used when you have personal knowledge whereas ‘red’ is used for information that the speaker is not involved in. Yin thus occurs most often with first person statements:
December 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Fascinating language fact #7:
In Tibetan, there are two copulas, Garrett (2001) shows: yin is used when you have personal knowledge whereas ‘red’ is used for information that the speaker is not involved in. Yin thus occurs most often with first person statements:
In Tibetan, there are two copulas, Garrett (2001) shows: yin is used when you have personal knowledge whereas ‘red’ is used for information that the speaker is not involved in. Yin thus occurs most often with first person statements:
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
sfeerimpressie van de Dam bij de Nationale Hogeronderwijsstaking. #WOinActie @aob.nl
December 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
sfeerimpressie van de Dam bij de Nationale Hogeronderwijsstaking. #WOinActie @aob.nl
🎶 de wetenschap verdient beterschap dus geef ons nu uw rekenschap 🎶
@robjetten.bsky.social en @henri.cda.nl luisteren jullie mee naar #WOinActie? Draai de bezuinigingen terug! Investeer in kennis!
@robjetten.bsky.social en @henri.cda.nl luisteren jullie mee naar #WOinActie? Draai de bezuinigingen terug! Investeer in kennis!
December 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
🎶 de wetenschap verdient beterschap dus geef ons nu uw rekenschap 🎶
@robjetten.bsky.social en @henri.cda.nl luisteren jullie mee naar #WOinActie? Draai de bezuinigingen terug! Investeer in kennis!
@robjetten.bsky.social en @henri.cda.nl luisteren jullie mee naar #WOinActie? Draai de bezuinigingen terug! Investeer in kennis!
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
Easy to damage, hard to grow!
9 december: stakingsdag tegen de bezuinigingen in het hoger onderwijs en de wetenschap. Stop de afbraak.
Kennis is geen kostenpost, maar de basis van onze toekomst. #AthenasAngels; @woinactie.bsky.social; @remcobreuker.bsky.social;
vimeo.com/1109639682?f...
9 december: stakingsdag tegen de bezuinigingen in het hoger onderwijs en de wetenschap. Stop de afbraak.
Kennis is geen kostenpost, maar de basis van onze toekomst. #AthenasAngels; @woinactie.bsky.social; @remcobreuker.bsky.social;
vimeo.com/1109639682?f...
bezuinigingen onderwijs_anim (1)
This is "bezuinigingen onderwijs_anim (1)" by Athena Angels on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Easy to damage, hard to grow!
9 december: stakingsdag tegen de bezuinigingen in het hoger onderwijs en de wetenschap. Stop de afbraak.
Kennis is geen kostenpost, maar de basis van onze toekomst. #AthenasAngels; @woinactie.bsky.social; @remcobreuker.bsky.social;
vimeo.com/1109639682?f...
9 december: stakingsdag tegen de bezuinigingen in het hoger onderwijs en de wetenschap. Stop de afbraak.
Kennis is geen kostenpost, maar de basis van onze toekomst. #AthenasAngels; @woinactie.bsky.social; @remcobreuker.bsky.social;
vimeo.com/1109639682?f...
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
Be loud on the Dam tomorrow. We need to save HigherEd to save the Netherlands.
P𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟵 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘁.
A packed stage program, followed by a march through Amsterdam.
- influence of budget cuts
- Right to demonstrate under pressure.
- Why organizing matters.
- What you can achieve.
- political debate
F𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗳𝗻𝘃.𝗻𝗹/𝗵𝗼
A packed stage program, followed by a march through Amsterdam.
- influence of budget cuts
- Right to demonstrate under pressure.
- Why organizing matters.
- What you can achieve.
- political debate
F𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗳𝗻𝘃.𝗻𝗹/𝗵𝗼
December 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Be loud on the Dam tomorrow. We need to save HigherEd to save the Netherlands.
Fascinating language fact #6:
Once upon a time, Isaac Mwinlaaru argues, Dagaare referred to child as ‘bìe’ and children as ‘bíir’. But nowadays, while bìe is still the singular, the plural ‘children’ is ‘bìbíir’. What happened? 🧐
Once upon a time, Isaac Mwinlaaru argues, Dagaare referred to child as ‘bìe’ and children as ‘bíir’. But nowadays, while bìe is still the singular, the plural ‘children’ is ‘bìbíir’. What happened? 🧐
December 8, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Fascinating language fact #6:
Once upon a time, Isaac Mwinlaaru argues, Dagaare referred to child as ‘bìe’ and children as ‘bíir’. But nowadays, while bìe is still the singular, the plural ‘children’ is ‘bìbíir’. What happened? 🧐
Once upon a time, Isaac Mwinlaaru argues, Dagaare referred to child as ‘bìe’ and children as ‘bíir’. But nowadays, while bìe is still the singular, the plural ‘children’ is ‘bìbíir’. What happened? 🧐
Counting down towards the light, keeping hope and peace alive.
December 7, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Counting down towards the light, keeping hope and peace alive.
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
Taking to my vet just now I realized vets : pets :: linguists : languages.
Vets often have lots of pets because they like pets and that’s why they became vets. But having a bunch of pets isn’t what makes you a vet.
Vets often have lots of pets because they like pets and that’s why they became vets. But having a bunch of pets isn’t what makes you a vet.
December 4, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Taking to my vet just now I realized vets : pets :: linguists : languages.
Vets often have lots of pets because they like pets and that’s why they became vets. But having a bunch of pets isn’t what makes you a vet.
Vets often have lots of pets because they like pets and that’s why they became vets. But having a bunch of pets isn’t what makes you a vet.
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
"We hebben decanen, rectoren en collegevoorzitters nodig die zeggen: ‘[...] We hebben eerdere bezuinigingen niet kunnen opvangen door harder te werken, ook niet door onderwijsinnovaties, en we gaan al helemaal niks oplossen met AI.’"
www.mareonline.nl/opinie/ga-di...
www.mareonline.nl/opinie/ga-di...
‘Ga staken! En geef toe dat ons onderwijs achteruitholt’, betoogt natuurkundeprof Tjerk Oosterkamp
Hoe pijnlijk ook: we moeten toegeven dat universiteiten in tien jaar tijd flink zijn verslechterd, vindt Tjerk Oosterkamp. Harder werken helpt niet meer. En juist daarom moeten studenten en docenten d...
www.mareonline.nl
December 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
"We hebben decanen, rectoren en collegevoorzitters nodig die zeggen: ‘[...] We hebben eerdere bezuinigingen niet kunnen opvangen door harder te werken, ook niet door onderwijsinnovaties, en we gaan al helemaal niks oplossen met AI.’"
www.mareonline.nl/opinie/ga-di...
www.mareonline.nl/opinie/ga-di...
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
5-year (!) postdoc opportunity: Join our Edinburgh team and do fieldwork on the Burun languages!
Deadline for application: 17 December.
Position starts March 1st, 2025
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Deadline for application: 17 December.
Position starts March 1st, 2025
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
December 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
5-year (!) postdoc opportunity: Join our Edinburgh team and do fieldwork on the Burun languages!
Deadline for application: 17 December.
Position starts March 1st, 2025
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Deadline for application: 17 December.
Position starts March 1st, 2025
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Hoe komt het dat Swahili zo groot ia geworden en nu erkend als een van de officiële voertalen van de UNESCO vergaderingen? Tirza Schipper schreef erover op Stemmen van Afrika
UNESCO erkent Swahili als officiële taal – Stemmen van Afrika
stemmenvanafrika.nl
December 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Hoe komt het dat Swahili zo groot ia geworden en nu erkend als een van de officiële voertalen van de UNESCO vergaderingen? Tirza Schipper schreef erover op Stemmen van Afrika
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
November 27, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
‘Get someone from Linguistics down here!’
Happy World Linguistics Day!
Happy World Linguistics Day!
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 AM
‘Get someone from Linguistics down here!’
Happy World Linguistics Day!
Happy World Linguistics Day!
Happy World Linguistics Day from Leiden, the Netherlands!
Happy World Linguistics Day from Melbourne, Australia!
November 26, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Happy World Linguistics Day from Leiden, the Netherlands!
Reposted by Jenneke van der Wal
✊On the 9th of December there will be a National Higher Education Strike! 12 o'clock on the Dam square!
The future of our education and resarch is on the formation table. We want investments, not dismantling!
Sign up and stay updated: fnv.nl/ho
The future of our education and resarch is on the formation table. We want investments, not dismantling!
Sign up and stay updated: fnv.nl/ho
November 25, 2025 at 12:25 PM
✊On the 9th of December there will be a National Higher Education Strike! 12 o'clock on the Dam square!
The future of our education and resarch is on the formation table. We want investments, not dismantling!
Sign up and stay updated: fnv.nl/ho
The future of our education and resarch is on the formation table. We want investments, not dismantling!
Sign up and stay updated: fnv.nl/ho
Grote Taaldag 2026!
Kom je ook naar de Grote Taaldag, dinsdag 27 januari? In Utrecht komt taalkundig Nederland samen om uit te wisselen wat er gaande is. Dien je abstract in voor 7 december:
www.universiteitleiden.nl/avt/grote-ta...
Kom je ook naar de Grote Taaldag, dinsdag 27 januari? In Utrecht komt taalkundig Nederland samen om uit te wisselen wat er gaande is. Dien je abstract in voor 7 december:
www.universiteitleiden.nl/avt/grote-ta...
Grote Taaldag
De AVT, LOT en Anéla organiseren jaarlijks de Grote Taaldag, met aan het eind het feestelijke Taalgala, waar heel taalkundig Nederland bijeenkomt.
www.universiteitleiden.nl
November 25, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Grote Taaldag 2026!
Kom je ook naar de Grote Taaldag, dinsdag 27 januari? In Utrecht komt taalkundig Nederland samen om uit te wisselen wat er gaande is. Dien je abstract in voor 7 december:
www.universiteitleiden.nl/avt/grote-ta...
Kom je ook naar de Grote Taaldag, dinsdag 27 januari? In Utrecht komt taalkundig Nederland samen om uit te wisselen wat er gaande is. Dien je abstract in voor 7 december:
www.universiteitleiden.nl/avt/grote-ta...