Chen, Nai-Hsien

Prof. Nai-Hsien Chen is currently a Professor in the Department of English. She received her PhD in Linguistics from the University of Southern California. She is interested in the semantics of mass terms and partitives. Drawing evidence from various languages, she has proposed a distinction within the category of mass term and to rethink the nature of non-countable noun referents. Currently, she is examining the cross-linguistic interpretation of quantificational determiners. In addition, Prof. Chen is interested in names and naming in culture. Recent works have included studies on English given names, onomastic acculturation in translation, and courtesy titles across cultures. She is a recent recipient of the Journal Publication & Monograph Award.

Prof. Chen is dedicated to enhancing the undergraduate program by developing courses that strengthen language use and proficiency in professional settings. Courses offered have included Tourism English, News English, and Practical Writing. A second course in the English for the Hospitality Industry Series is currently in the works. For her teaching, she has received the university-wide Excellence in Teaching Award.

Educational Background

PhD in Linguistics, University of Southern California

南加州大學語言學博士

Dissertation Title

On mass, collectives and pseudopartitives

Research Expertise

Language & Culture (語言與文化)

Semantics (語意學)