I am a Dutch linguist and Professor of Dutch and Academic Communication at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. My work bridges theoretical linguistics, empirical research on language variation, and public engagement with language.
Academic Biography
I have dedicated my career to understanding how language works—from the abstract patterns of sound systems to the concrete realities of how people speak in different communities.
My research combines formal phonological theory with empirical investigation of language variation. I’m particularly interested in how detailed analysis of dialects and language varieties can inform our understanding of universal linguistic principles. This work has led to collaborations with scholars worldwide and has resulted in major reference works like The Blackwell Companion to Phonology and The Cambridge Handbook of Phonology.
Beyond my research, I’m committed to making linguistics accessible. As a member of the editorial team of the Journal of Linguistics, I work to ensure that high-quality linguistic research reaches appropriate audiences. As editor of Neerlandistiek and contributor to several (mostly Dutch-language) outlets, I write regularly for general readers about language, helping people understand how Dutch works and changes. As a member of various Esperanto-related organisations, I try to help keep the idea of democratic international communication alive.
Why Linguistics?
Language fascinates me because it sits at the intersection of so many human concerns. It’s simultaneously:
- Biological – rooted in human cognition and the brain
- Social – shaped by communities and cultural practices
- Historical – carrying traces of past changes and contacts
- Creative – deployed artistically in literature and everyday conversation
- Systematic – governed by discoverable patterns and rules
This complexity means that linguistic research can never be boring. Every dataset, every language, every variety offers new puzzles to solve and new insights into what it means to be human.
I’m particularly drawn to phonology but have also worked on other levels of linguistic structure.
Academic Career
2007 – Present
Professor of Dutch and Academic Communication
Radboud University, Nijmegen
Chair holder, Centre for Language Studies
2019 – Present
Editor
Journal of Linguistics, Cambridge University Press
2011 – Present
Editor
Neerlandistiek (Dutch linguistics and literature portal)
2007- 2016
Professor of Phonological Microvariation
University of Leiden
1997 – 2025
(Senior-)Researcher
Meertens Institute, Amsterdam
1997 – 2001
Professor of Interlinguistics and Esperanto
University of Amsterdam
1995
PhD in Linguistics
Tilburg University
Dissertation: “Phonological Projection”
1991
MA in General Linguistics
Tilburg University
Research Interests
Phonological Theory
I work on understanding the sound patterns of languages, particularly within constraint-based frameworks like Optimality Theory.
Phonological Microvariation
Starting with my dissertation, much of my work has focused on tiny differences in pronunciation across closely related dialects. What can these small differences tell us about language structure? How do speakers maintain and manipulate these subtle distinctions?
Dutch Language and Dialects
As a specialist in Dutch, I’ve worked extensively on the phonology and dialectology of Dutch and Frisian varieties. This includes contributions to major atlas projects and descriptive work on specific dialects.
Interlinguistics and Language Planning
I’m a specialist in Esperanto and other constructed languages. What can planned languages teach us about natural language? How do artificial languages develop and change? I’ve written a history of the Esperanto movement in Dutch.
Language in Literature
I analyze how literary language, especially poetry, uses linguistic resources. How do poets exploit phonological, morphological, and syntactic patterns? What’s the relationship between linguistic analysis and literary interpretation?
Public Engagement
I believe linguistic knowledge should benefit society, not just academics. My public work includes:
- Columns on language for general audiences (Neerlandistiek, Onze Taal)
- Popular books about Dutch dialects, language change, and Esperanto
- MOOC: “Miracles of Human Language” (100,000+ students on Coursera)
- Media appearances discussing language issues on radio, television, and podcasts
- Public lectures and workshops for teachers and language enthusiasts
This work stems from my conviction that everyone is a linguistic expert in their own language, and that formal linguistics can deepen and enrich that everyday expertise.
Contact Information
Email: marc.vanoostendorp@ru.nl
Office Address:
Radboud University
Centre for Language Studies
Erasmusplein 1
6525 HT Nijmegen
The Netherlands
Online Profiles
LinkedIn ORCID Radboud Profile
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Note
Outside linguistics, I’m interested in literature, philosophy, politics and classical music. I live in Bilthoven with my wife Roberta D’Alessandro (who is also a linguist) and our daughter.
I’m always happy to hear from students, colleagues, and members of the public interested in language. Feel free to reach out!