Dr. Ellen Ormel

Biography

Ellen Ormel is an Assistant Professor at Radboud University, specializing in language processing in bilinguals, particularly focusing on bimodal bilinguals who use signed and spoken languages. Her research examines the impact of modality on human language processing and investigates bimodal cross-language interactions, as well as how non-linguistic aspects influence language use. With a strong background in Special Education, Psychology, and Linguistics, she earned her PhD with research centered on visual word recognition in deaf children engaged in bilingual education programs. Her studies revealed that deaf children's reading abilities are influenced by their knowledge of sign language, particularly the relationship between the form and meaning of sign components. Additionally, she has explored how adult bimodal bilinguals utilize languages interactively, parallel to their experiences as bilingual deaf children. Her NWO Veni project, 'Handy connection signing speaking,' focused on the cognitive abilities linked to language use among deaf-hearing bimodal bilingual children. She is also involved in the development of NGT SignBank, a comprehensive sign database for Dutch Sign Language, and has created assessment tools for language users. Ormel aims to contribute to primary education for deaf children and plans to investigate the role of iconic links in bilingual language processing in future research.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards