SSH Department of Languages, Linguistics, and Literature is thrilled to share the incredible news that one of our distinguished alumni, Zhaniya Murat (Class of 2023), has been awarded the prestigious Best Undergraduate Thesis prize from the Society of Linguistic Anthropology (SLA). This honor was bestowed in recognition of her senior Capstone project, titled "Multifunctionality of a Local Speech Marker: Case Study of Kazakh 'de' in Bilingual Speech," completed under the guidance of her primary advisor, Professor Eva-Marie Dubuisson.
As part of this prestigious recognition, Zhaniya has received a cash prize, public acknowledgment of her outstanding work, and an invitation to the upcoming SLA conference, where she will officially receive her award.
The judging faculty noted in their review: "Murat provides a detailed and perceptive analysis of the Kazakh speech marker 'de' as used by younger people in bi- and trilingual contexts. ... [She] demonstrates a mastery of the concepts and effectively illuminates broader political issues in Kazakhstan through the micro-analysis of interactions."
Please join us in celebrating Zhaniya Murat’s outstanding accomplishment and wishing her continued success in her academic and professional journey!
As part of this prestigious recognition, Zhaniya has received a cash prize, public acknowledgment of her outstanding work, and an invitation to the upcoming SLA conference, where she will officially receive her award.
The judging faculty noted in their review: "Murat provides a detailed and perceptive analysis of the Kazakh speech marker 'de' as used by younger people in bi- and trilingual contexts. ... [She] demonstrates a mastery of the concepts and effectively illuminates broader political issues in Kazakhstan through the micro-analysis of interactions."
Please join us in celebrating Zhaniya Murat’s outstanding accomplishment and wishing her continued success in her academic and professional journey!