Headshot of Adam Barnhardt

Adam Barnhardt is a Linguistics PhD student. Adam’s research primarily focused on phonetic/phonological variation and Adam is interested in examining how the implementation of this variation as a means to position oneself within culture and society might intersect with language change broadly.

Headshot of Jack Rechsteiner

Jack Rechsteiner is a Linguistics MA student who entered via the BA-MA dual degree. Jack’s research focuses primarily on sociophonetic variation in nonbinary speakers. They are passionate about understanding the inner workings of language and the interplay between language and society, as well as how insights into these topics can be applied to other areas. Sociolinguistics, data analysis, and natural language processing are especially interesting to them.

Headshot of Yongqing Ye

Yongqing/Anthea Ye is a PhD student in the linguistics program. Yongqing is primarily interested in phonetics, phonology and sound change. Her research focuses on using experimental techniques and corpus data to probe how phonological representations and processes change in a speech community. She is currently working on nasalization in Michigan English . In her free time, Yongqing likes hiking, journaling and going to Renaissance fairs.

Other students

  • Xiayimaierdan Abudushalamu is a Linguistics PhD student working on language choice in Xinjiang comedy.
  • Alexis Behnke is a Linguistics major investigating sociolinguistic variability over the career of MI state senator Mallory Morrow.
  • Andrew Fritz is a Linguistics major investigating sociolinguistic variability in MI Diaries participants’ responses to questions.
  • Chad Hall is a Linguistics PhD student working on the speech of second generation Lebanese Americans.
  • Drake Howard is a Linguistics major and a Professorial Assistant to Dr. Betsy Sneller.
  • Newt Kelbley is a Linguistics major investigating the syntax of sociolinguistic prompt questions in the MI Diaries project. Newt got accepted in the Forensic Linguistics MA program at Cardiff University in Wales starting 2023. 
  • Elena Sheard is a Linguistics PhD student at Australia National University and a visiting student in the lab.
  • Caroline Zackerman is a Linguistics major and former Professorial Assistant to Dr. Betsy Sneller (2021-2022). She is currently the project manager for MI Diaries.