English and Digital Linguistics
Research
English and Digital Linguistics 

Research

At the chair of English and digital linguistics, we embrace a very large variety of research topics that we investigate with empirical and mainly digital methods like corpus linguistics, eye-tracking, screen-casting and mouse-tracking. We also carry out behavioural experiments and surveys to provide basic research and potential practical applications.

Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer's current research is based on the cooperation with researchers from many different universities, institutions and disciplines and includes the following topics:

  • eye-tracking study on the cognitive processing of optional commas in English (cooperation with FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg)
  • optimisation of the pronunciation of foreign-language streetnames in German-language navigation systems
  • development of a linguistic system for the generation of individual personal names for archaeological human remains (in cooperation with archaeologists)
  • TransGrimm: compilation of an aligned multiple parallel corpus of German fairy tales by the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm with their English translations
  • Bridge of Knowledge VR: development of a multiple-choice learning adventure quiz app, in which users have to cross a suspension bridge in the jungle by selecting the correct answers to multiple-choice questions with their gaze (cooperation with the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre)
  • Language in the Human-Machine Era (LITHME): The COST Action LITHME explores how new forms of language technology are likely to change our everyday communication, and ultimately language itself. Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer is the leader of a research group that investigates the integration of such technology into language teaching and its potential effect on language learning in general.
  • The aim of the project LeDiT (Learning with Digital Testimonies) is to make the German-language testimony of Holocaust survivor Abba Naor accessible to a wide international audience online. To this end, we are currently creating English subtitles and a matching dialogue system for the interactive video testimony produced within the framework of the LeDiZ project (Lernen mit Digitalen Zeugnissen) at LMU Munich.
  • palimpsests and augmented reality
  • Science Communication: The 2024 DAAD project "I, Expert: Media competence for science through linguistics" in cooperation with the University of Zaragoza (Spain) aims to promote language awareness in science communication so that researchers can disseminate their results credibly and citizens can digest them effectively.
  • Language in Fantastic Film Worlds: The project explores linguistic creativity and innovation, idiosyncratic language use by exotic characters in film and television shows.

Cansu Akan is currently working on her own project which brings learner corpora and digital methods together as a way to learn and teach English from early ages on. Her interdiciplinary project employs principles of second language acquisition, corpus linguistics, teacher training and multimodality in digitial tools. She is also involved in the PROCEED (PROcess Corpus of English in EDucation) project, where she focuses on L2 writing processes.

Sasha Coelho is involved in packaging the Bridge of Knowledge VR project and is involved in the TansGrimm  project where she conducts research, develops a web interface for the aligned multi-parallel corpus of the Grimms' fairy tales and their english translations.

Marina Beccard is managing the science communication project "I, Expert" and is involved in the PROCEED (PROcess Corpus of English in EDucation) project, where she explores how English learners create clarity through revisions during their writing process.

 

Most recent publications (Selection)

Sanchez-Stockhammer, Christina. 2026. Langenscheidt – Schnell mitreden – Spanisch: 100 Wörter lernen und 500 Sätze sprechen. 2nd edn. Stuttgart: PONS Langenscheidt.

Coelho, Sasha Genevieve, Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer, Sascha Kaden, Marina Beccard & Florian Röhrbein. 2026. Do we mitigate face-threatening acts even when communicating with faceless robotic arms? Politeness strategies in human–robot vs. human–human interaction. Journal of Applied Linguistic and Intercultural Studies 6(6), 35-52. https://jalis.uni-ruse.bg/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/JALIS_2026_Issue-6_Manuscript04_Coelho_et_al.pdf.