Dr. Thomas Hinnebusch

Biography

Thomas Hinnebusch is a Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has a long-standing career in African Languages, particularly Swahili and Bantu studies. After receiving a Ph.D. from UCLA in 1973, he embarked on a diverse academic journey that began with teaching Swahili at Duquesne University. His early work was characterized by both teaching and fieldwork in Bantu languages while married to his wife Claudia, with whom he worked on language instruction in Tanzania. By joining UCLA’s faculty in 1973, Hinnebusch focused on comparative linguistics, emphasizing the historical perspective on Swahili and related African languages. His research has included dissertation work in Kenya, workshops in Ruanda, and exploration of the Comoro Islands, fostering a keen interest in digitalizing Swahili poetry. Hinnebusch has actively participated in documenting endangered languages and dialects, creating a digital dictionary of classical Swahili poetry, and teaching courses on Comparative Bantu and three levels of Swahili. He remains deeply engaged with international academic conferences and outreach in the field of linguistic studies, alongside personal hobbies such as birdwatching and photography.

Research Interests

Courses