Wil Hardman
@wilhardman.bsky.social
Disrupting language hierarchies & standard language ideologies in academia at Liverpool Uni. Critical EAP, language ideologies & raciolinguistics. Building confidence & academic identity, not conformity. Chair UCU Liverpool. Convenor EAP4SJ SIG.
Reposted by Wil Hardman
New publication on @ipragmatics.bsky.social, out now and available open access:
My work on the digital language ideologies of generative AI, in particular the "AI is here to stay" construction and its connections to presentism, techno-optimism, and tech bro culture
My work on the digital language ideologies of generative AI, in particular the "AI is here to stay" construction and its connections to presentism, techno-optimism, and tech bro culture
Presentism as a digital language ideology in generative AI discourse
This paper gives a critical discourse-analytical account of presentism as a digital language ideology. It outlines how this ahistorical understanding of sociotechnical change centering the here-and-no...
benjamins.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 AM
New publication on @ipragmatics.bsky.social, out now and available open access:
My work on the digital language ideologies of generative AI, in particular the "AI is here to stay" construction and its connections to presentism, techno-optimism, and tech bro culture
My work on the digital language ideologies of generative AI, in particular the "AI is here to stay" construction and its connections to presentism, techno-optimism, and tech bro culture
Reposted by Wil Hardman
One for the linguists.
My dad was a working class lad done good, he spoke in a middle-class accent but when telling us off as kids he'd turn Cockney, like his dad. To my horror I've realised I now do the exact same. Normally I sound like Tom Hollander but when telling my kids off I go full Winstone
November 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
One for the linguists.
Reposted by Wil Hardman
the DfE have responded enthusiastically to the curriculum and assessment review, stating that oracy is an 'important vehicle for social justice'. so more reproduction of this flawed theory of change which isolates 'better oracy' as a solution to injustice.
doi.org/10.1080/0305...
doi.org/10.1080/0305...
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
the DfE have responded enthusiastically to the curriculum and assessment review, stating that oracy is an 'important vehicle for social justice'. so more reproduction of this flawed theory of change which isolates 'better oracy' as a solution to injustice.
doi.org/10.1080/0305...
doi.org/10.1080/0305...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
After squandering millions on Castle Meadows purchase, University of Nottingham is now axing modern languages & music
It also plans to cut its nursing programme
Leaders of the bungleocracy continue to draw handsome salaries
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It also plans to cut its nursing programme
Leaders of the bungleocracy continue to draw handsome salaries
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 8:37 AM
After squandering millions on Castle Meadows purchase, University of Nottingham is now axing modern languages & music
It also plans to cut its nursing programme
Leaders of the bungleocracy continue to draw handsome salaries
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It also plans to cut its nursing programme
Leaders of the bungleocracy continue to draw handsome salaries
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
I’m quoted in Laura Brown’s excellent article on youth language. I can’t post a link but here’s a screenshot…
November 3, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I’m quoted in Laura Brown’s excellent article on youth language. I can’t post a link but here’s a screenshot…
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Hmm... beyond the headline, this is a bit more complex than kids sounding more American.
archive.ph/2025.11.02-2...
archive.ph/2025.11.02-2...
November 3, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Hmm... beyond the headline, this is a bit more complex than kids sounding more American.
archive.ph/2025.11.02-2...
archive.ph/2025.11.02-2...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Language not only describes the world. It transforms us alongside the world
We demand and we demand
We demand and we demand
November 3, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Language not only describes the world. It transforms us alongside the world
We demand and we demand
We demand and we demand
Reposted by Wil Hardman
the spelling bee is... 'a public ritual of linguistic discipline. It doesn't just reward memorisation; it performs a particular vision of language as precise, codified, and rule-bound, and positions that vision as natural, inevitable, and good' compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
October 30, 2025 at 6:13 AM
the spelling bee is... 'a public ritual of linguistic discipline. It doesn't just reward memorisation; it performs a particular vision of language as precise, codified, and rule-bound, and positions that vision as natural, inevitable, and good' compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Wil Hardman
On language structures under genocidal violence
There are no new words
but new combinations
There are no new words
but new combinations
October 30, 2025 at 7:53 AM
On language structures under genocidal violence
There are no new words
but new combinations
There are no new words
but new combinations
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Just in case anyone is listening, please note that UK universities cannot operate successfully on the basis of continuous reduction of academic staff and academic staff pay. No amount of staff wellness sessions will change this.
October 29, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Just in case anyone is listening, please note that UK universities cannot operate successfully on the basis of continuous reduction of academic staff and academic staff pay. No amount of staff wellness sessions will change this.
Reposted by Wil Hardman
We've been away for a while but episode 75 is finally here. We talk about accent discrimination, attitudes to teachers' accents and about what accent prejudice tells us about wider social attitudes. #Linguistics open.spotify.com/episode/5wnC...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:48 AM
We've been away for a while but episode 75 is finally here. We talk about accent discrimination, attitudes to teachers' accents and about what accent prejudice tells us about wider social attitudes. #Linguistics open.spotify.com/episode/5wnC...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
In my latest blog post I delve into the implication of Trump's Compact on the field of educational linguistics--and it is not pretty.
Why Trump’s Compact Poses an Existential Threat to Educational Linguistics educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/w...
Why Trump’s Compact Poses an Existential Threat to Educational Linguistics educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/w...
Why Trump’s Compact Poses an Existential Threat to Educational Linguistics
Donald Trump’s so-called Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is his latest attempt to impose a partisan political vision on the nation’s universities. Framed as a push for rigor and…
educationallinguist.wordpress.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:05 PM
In my latest blog post I delve into the implication of Trump's Compact on the field of educational linguistics--and it is not pretty.
Why Trump’s Compact Poses an Existential Threat to Educational Linguistics educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/w...
Why Trump’s Compact Poses an Existential Threat to Educational Linguistics educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/w...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Join us for our next LIP talk
We are delighted to welcome Teun A. van Dijk (Centre of Discourse Studies, Barcelona) for the third talk of the term.
Title: Discourse and Ideologies of the Radical Right
Date & Time: Tuesday 28th October, 1-2pm (UK time)
Location: MS Teams
Online link: lnkd.in/eyvGGc7G
We are delighted to welcome Teun A. van Dijk (Centre of Discourse Studies, Barcelona) for the third talk of the term.
Title: Discourse and Ideologies of the Radical Right
Date & Time: Tuesday 28th October, 1-2pm (UK time)
Location: MS Teams
Online link: lnkd.in/eyvGGc7G
October 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Join us for our next LIP talk
We are delighted to welcome Teun A. van Dijk (Centre of Discourse Studies, Barcelona) for the third talk of the term.
Title: Discourse and Ideologies of the Radical Right
Date & Time: Tuesday 28th October, 1-2pm (UK time)
Location: MS Teams
Online link: lnkd.in/eyvGGc7G
We are delighted to welcome Teun A. van Dijk (Centre of Discourse Studies, Barcelona) for the third talk of the term.
Title: Discourse and Ideologies of the Radical Right
Date & Time: Tuesday 28th October, 1-2pm (UK time)
Location: MS Teams
Online link: lnkd.in/eyvGGc7G
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Another example of cultural and linguistic imperialism?
BBC News - Welsh-speaking inmates 'told to speak English' in prison
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Welsh-speaking inmates 'told to speak English' in prison
www.bbc.com/news/article...
HMP Berwyn: Welsh-speaking prisoners 'told to speak English' in prison
Ex-inmates say Welsh speakers were made to use English at Wales' biggest prison.
www.bbc.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Another example of cultural and linguistic imperialism?
BBC News - Welsh-speaking inmates 'told to speak English' in prison
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Welsh-speaking inmates 'told to speak English' in prison
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
A sensible point in Guardian letters about the long tradition of using daft catchphrases like 6-7...
October 22, 2025 at 5:40 AM
A sensible point in Guardian letters about the long tradition of using daft catchphrases like 6-7...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Interested in literacy in multilingual contexts?
Consider joining this new international research network under the auspices of the World Education Research Association
www.languageonthemove.com/literacy-in-...
Consider joining this new international research network under the auspices of the World Education Research Association
www.languageonthemove.com/literacy-in-...
Literacy in Multilingual Contexts
The World Education Research Association (WERA) recently announced the launch of seven new International Research Networks (IRNs) and we are pleased to share that “Literacy in Multilingual Co…
www.languageonthemove.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Interested in literacy in multilingual contexts?
Consider joining this new international research network under the auspices of the World Education Research Association
www.languageonthemove.com/literacy-in-...
Consider joining this new international research network under the auspices of the World Education Research Association
www.languageonthemove.com/literacy-in-...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Italian blasphemy and German ingenuity: how swear words differ around the world
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Italian blasphemy and German ingenuity: how swear words differ around the world
Once dismissed as a sign of low intelligence, researchers now argue the ‘power’ of taboo words has been overlooked
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Italian blasphemy and German ingenuity: how swear words differ around the world
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
🧵
The last month or so in UCU world has left me feeling very concerned.
I’m not a member or fan of any faction, but the recent NEC elections have given the hard-right of the union a majority on our highest council.
Meanwhile, our senior leadership appear to be half heartedly launching our (cont…)
The last month or so in UCU world has left me feeling very concerned.
I’m not a member or fan of any faction, but the recent NEC elections have given the hard-right of the union a majority on our highest council.
Meanwhile, our senior leadership appear to be half heartedly launching our (cont…)
October 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
🧵
The last month or so in UCU world has left me feeling very concerned.
I’m not a member or fan of any faction, but the recent NEC elections have given the hard-right of the union a majority on our highest council.
Meanwhile, our senior leadership appear to be half heartedly launching our (cont…)
The last month or so in UCU world has left me feeling very concerned.
I’m not a member or fan of any faction, but the recent NEC elections have given the hard-right of the union a majority on our highest council.
Meanwhile, our senior leadership appear to be half heartedly launching our (cont…)
Reposted by Wil Hardman
The best piece I have read on the topic of AI use and writing pedagogy.
Just brilliant!
Just brilliant!
October 17, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The best piece I have read on the topic of AI use and writing pedagogy.
Just brilliant!
Just brilliant!
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Really interesting discussion of the Teacher Tapp findings - How teachers feel about their accent.
Have done this with @heymrshallahan.bsky.social and @teachertapp.bsky.social - there will be some more on the way soon in various forms - articles and podcasts - about what we've discovered from this survey.
teachertapp.com/articles/how...
teachertapp.com/articles/how...
How Teachers Feel About Their Accents - Teacher Tapp
This September, Teacher Tapp asked teachers about accents — and how their voices are perceived by colleagues and students. We shared the results with Teacher … Continued
teachertapp.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Really interesting discussion of the Teacher Tapp findings - How teachers feel about their accent.
Reposted by Wil Hardman
Today in the US is #IndigenousPeoplesDay. Held in opposition to the federal govt holiday Columbus Day and celebrates Native American culture and resistance to colonialism as opposed to the genocide, murder, slavery and torture brought by Columbus shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/...
October 14, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Today in the US is #IndigenousPeoplesDay. Held in opposition to the federal govt holiday Columbus Day and celebrates Native American culture and resistance to colonialism as opposed to the genocide, murder, slavery and torture brought by Columbus shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
This looks really brilliant 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿
Please join me on 12th November at my @universityofleeds.bsky.social professorial inaugural lecture on ‘Language Diversity and Social (In)justice’. More info here, including a link at the bottom to book a ticket (which is free but we need to track numbers): ahc.leeds.ac.uk/english/even...
Professor Julia Snell's Inaugural Lecture: 'Language diversity and social (in)justice'
Drawing on research conducted over 20 years, Prof. Julia Snell interrogates the assumption that modifying children's speech will lead to educational success and social mobility.
ahc.leeds.ac.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:52 AM
This looks really brilliant 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿
Reposted by Wil Hardman
#OtD 13 Oct 1909 radical educator, Francesc Ferrer, was executed in Barcelona. Sentenced to death by a military tribunal despite no solid evidence being brought against him, his murder caused protests across the world. This is a collection of his work: shop.workingclasshistory.com/products/ana...
October 13, 2025 at 2:40 PM
#OtD 13 Oct 1909 radical educator, Francesc Ferrer, was executed in Barcelona. Sentenced to death by a military tribunal despite no solid evidence being brought against him, his murder caused protests across the world. This is a collection of his work: shop.workingclasshistory.com/products/ana...
Reposted by Wil Hardman
October 13, 2025 at 6:12 AM