I believe that linguistic knowledge should be accessible beyond academic circles. My science communication work aims to bridge the gap between specialized research and broader public understanding of how language works.
Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics
My primary English-language public engagement is the MOOC “Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics,” offered through Coursera. This free online course introduces fundamental concepts in linguistics to a global audience, exploring the remarkable complexity and diversity of human language.
The course has reached thousands of learners worldwide and demonstrates how linguistic insights can illuminate everyday questions about communication, identity, and cognition.
Dutch-Language Science Communication
Much of my popular writing appears in Dutch, serving the local linguistic community:
• Neerlandistiek.nl – I serve as editor of this online journal on Dutch linguistics and literary studies, and write a daily column exploring language questions and linguistic phenomena.
• Onze Taal (Our Language) – I work as an editor for the weekly newsletter of this language association, which reaches over 100,000 subscribers, and contribute regularly to their print magazine.
While these Dutch-language platforms are important for engaging with questions specific to Dutch language and culture, they complement my international academic work and the global reach of the Coursera course.I do most of my science communication in service of the local communication and (therefore) in Dutch. An exception is the MOOC Miracles of Human Language at Coursera.
As to the work in Dutch, I am the editor of the online journal Neerlandistiek on the linguistics and literary studies of Dutch. I also write a daily column for the site.
I also work for the association Onze Taal (our language), serving as an editor for its weekly newsletter (which has over 100.000 subscribers), and I write regularly for the paper magazine.
