Ryan Lepic, PhD
Assistant Professor of Linguistics at Gallaudet University
I am a linguist interested in how languages change as a result of how they are used.
A fascinating property of human language is that our utterances are often highly formulaic and highly creative at the exact same time: We routinely stretch and re-purpose old words and phrases to make something new. My research in this area deals with words, and the emergence, organization, and extension of patterns among them, in spoken as well as signed languages.
I'm also interested in the science of teaching and learning, particularly as it relates to teaching linguistics.
Updates
February 2021
I'm thrilled to be invited to give a keynote presentation at AIMM-5! The theme for this conference is Morphological Theory and Typology, so get your abstracts ready! (submission deadline Apr23, conference in August 2021)
November 2020
I'm incredibly honored to have been invited to give a keynote presentation at HDLS-14! You can view my recorded talk here!
My paper with Calle Börstell honoring Irit Meir, "Spatial metaphors in antonym pairs across sign languages", has been published online for Sign Language and Linguistics. In that same issue, I also have a review of Emily Shaw's Gesture in Multiparty Interaction.
My paper with Lynn Hou and Erin Wilkinson, "Working with ASL internet data", has been published online for Sign Language Studies.
August 2020
I have started a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Linguistics Department at Gallaudet University! I am working remotely for now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.