TCD School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences

03/09/2026

“My master’s studies of Chinese Studies at TCAS in Ireland formed a truly vital part of my academic career. The curriculum was both diverse and engaging, and the professors were exceptionally knowledgeable and patient, from whom I benefited immensely. I would highly recommend TCAS to anyone looking to pursue their studies in this field! ”

TCAS Alumna Mok Earl shares her reflections on her academic journey and her experience at TCAS, when she was awarded a Full Scholarship for a PhD at Nanjing University!

Congratulations from all of us at the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies (TCAS)!

We are delighted Earl Mok (莫尔), an alumna of the M.Phil. in Chinese Studies, has been awarded a full scholarship to pursue her PhD in Chinese Language and Literature at Nanjing University, China.

Originally from Malaysia, Earl’s academic journey in Chinese Studies has now taken her across three countries.

She completed her bachelor’s degree in Malaysia before coming to Trinity College Dublin to undertake the M.Phil. in Chinese Studies at TCAS.

During her studies at Trinity in 2024–25, Earl received the Eoin and Cliona Murphy Scholarship, which supports students undertaking the M.Phil. in Chinese Studies based on academic merit and financial need.

We know Earl has now arrived in Nanjing and is successfully enrolled at Nanjing University, where she will spend the next four years pursuing her doctoral studies in Chinese Language and Literature.

Earl’s journey from Malaysia to Ireland and now to China reflects the international character of Chinese Studies and the diverse academic pathways available to TCAS graduates. Her progression from postgraduate study at Trinity to fully funded doctoral research at Nanjing University is a wonderful achievement.

Professor Nathan Hill, Director of TCAS, and colleagues at the Centre warmly congratulate Earl on her achievement and wish her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter of her academic career in Nanjing.


Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation
Trinity College Dublin Global

28/08/2026

Are you looking to pick up a new language, reconnect with one you’ve studied before, or just develop your skills further?

Why not join us at Trinity College Dublin this Autumn?

The School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences at Trinity College Dublin is now inviting applications for its 2026–27 Evening Language Courses. It's open to the public!

Our programme of accessible evening classes includes:

• Irish Sign Language
• Mandarin Chinese
• Japanese – Introduction, Post-Beginners and Intermediate
• Turkish – Introduction, Post-Beginners and Intermediate
• Korean – Introduction and Post-Beginners

There's more! Much more than vocabulary.
You could discover a new culture through its writing systems and real-world contexts with authentic materials incorporated wherever possible.

WHEN DO THEY START
Most courses begin in September 2026 and run for 24 weeks across two 12-week terms.

WHERE?
Classes are primarily held in the Arts Building at Trinity College Dublin, with Irish Sign Language classes taking place at the Centre for Deaf Studies.

Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early.

Find course details, schedules, fees and how to apply right here:
https://www.tcd.ie/slscs/evening-courses/



PPLI / Languages Connect
Language Exchange Ireland
Languages Connect
TCD Centre for Deaf Studies

06/08/2026

Our very own Lorna Carson has been out and about!

Doctoral researcher Amy Grace Metcalfe and Co-PI Prof. Lorna Carson presented a paper "Language Riches and Symbolic Power: Navigating Intersectionality and Interculturality in the LIFELANGS Corpus" at the Linguistic Landscapes 17 conference hosted by the University of Limerick !

06/08/2026

Have you met the team steering LIFELANGS? Stay tuned here, as we'll be sharing their takes on what the project is about!

LIFELANGS is co-led by two Principal Investigators: Professor Lorna Carson (Trinity College Dublin, left) and Dr Aisling O'Boyle (Queen's University Belfast, right), pictured here with Abdullah Karaakin, our Project Manager (centre).

Lorna on the project's aim: "This project will build a better understanding of how to build better shared dialogues, more social cohesion, and greater inclusivity for a shared future on the island of Ireland."

Aisling on where it starts: "The team's first job is building a database of language data from right across the island, eventually opening it up as a public, searchable website by 2029, covering every language spoken, signed, and seen in Ireland."

And keeping it all on track: Abdullah Karaakın, our Project Manager. Originally from Turkey, Abdullah holds an MSc in Translation Technology from Dublin City University, where his research focused on translation in crises, a background that turns out to be surprisingly good preparation for coordinating a four-year, cross-border, multilingual research project.

He's our first point of contact for LIFELANGS
queries: [email protected].

What language do you speak at home?

Tell us in the comments! It's exactly the kind of everyday language use LIFELANGS wants to hear about.

Languages Connect
Languagenut Ireland
TCD Centre for Deaf Studies

23/07/2026

The Department of Linguistics at Trinity College Dublin seeks expressions of interest for an adjunct Irish language teacher available to teach part-time optional modules during the academic year 2026-27.

If you are interested, please email your details to [email protected].

[Thanks to Gigglekid for the cool image!]

14/07/2026

Bronagh Byrne, Professor of Deaf, Disability and Children’s Rights at Queen’s University Belfast and guest editor of VIEW’s 2021 issue on the Deaf community, reflects on a landmark moment as she shares her joy at the Sign Language Bill passing its final stage at Stormont - https://viewdigital.org/my-joy-over-landmark-sign-language-bill-moment-for-the-deaf-community/ - Una Murphy Richard Dougherty Wendy Newbronner Bronagh Byrne

14/07/2026

14/07/2026

10/07/2026

Our School is pleased to announce the publication of the research report, Motivations and Pathways in Higher Education Language Learning: Evidence to Inform the Next Phase of Languages Connect, now available through Trinity College Dublin's TARA Repository.

The project was commissioned by Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The research was led by Hongfei Wang (Trinity College Dublin), Rowland Anthony Imperial (Trinity College Dublin) and Erin McNamara Cullen ( South East Technological University ).

Drawing on survey and interview data from students and educators across Trinity College Dublin and South East Technological University, the report explores motivations, participation pathways, and experiences of language learning in Irish higher education.

The findings provide evidence-based recommendations to inform the next phase of Languages Connect and contribute to the future development of language education policy in Ireland.

Read the full report:
https://doi.org/10.25546/113177

Congratulations to the research team, and thank you to -Primary Languages Ireland, the Department of Education and Youth, and all the students, educators, and colleagues whose contributions made this research possible.



Lifelangs Living Observatory
School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, TCD
Language Exchange Ireland
Languages Connect
Languages at UL