Researchers to investigate the connection between languages and creativity

A new Oxford-led research programme will explore the crucial role of creativity in the use of languages and investigate more creative forms of language learning, providing a forum for universities, schools and other partners to forge a new and more cohesive identity  for modern foreign languages (MFL). The programme entitled Creative Multilingualism is led by Professor Katrin Kohl of the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). In an innovative collaboration between colleagues in Modern Languages, Linguistics, English, Anthropology and Biology, it will act as a research hub that draws on methodologies from disciplines including neuroscience, comparative literature, translation studies, theatre studies, music and education in order to gain an enhanced understanding of the vital part linguistic diversity plays in our thinking, social interaction, cultural life and global engagement. Researchers from six universities including London University's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) will pool their expertise in over 40 languages to unlock the varied kinds of creativity we use at different stages of the linguistic process. The Oxford Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages will bring their expertise in literary and cultural research into dialogue with the work of colleagues from a range of other disciplines and institutions in order to analyse the relationship between multilingualism and the creative imagination.