Dr. Wendy Bennett

Biography

Wendy Ayres-Bennett is an Emerita Professor of Linguistics at the University of Cambridge and a Principal Investigator of the research project 'Multilingualism: Empowering Individuals, Transforming Societies' funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Her research interests focus on the history of the French language, linguistic variation, change from the sixteenth century to the present, and the history of linguistic thought, particularly in seventeenth-century France. She has published extensively in these areas and led several significant projects including the creation of an online repository for UK language policy documents and providing a comprehensive economic case for supporting languages in the UK. Wendy's work includes critical editions and historical accounts that contribute meaningfully to the understanding of linguistic development and standardization. She has served as a visiting professor in various prestigious institutions in France, led conference organizations, and received numerous accolades including the Prix Georges Dumézil and was awarded membership in the Ordre des Palmes Académiques. Her commitment to the advancement of linguistic studies is reflected in her involvement with professional societies such as the Society for French Studies and the International Society for Diachrony of French. Her notable publications include 'Vaugelas and the Development of the French Language', and 'Sociolinguistic Variation in Seventeenth-Century France'. Furthermore, she co-edited influential volumes on romance sociolinguistics and language standardization.

Research Interests

Experience