Loncke Lab at the University of Virginia
The Bilingual Interview Project
The purpose of the study is to explore, through in-depth interviews, a person's perception, attitudes and emotional appreciation toward their own languages and the communities in which they use these languages. The interviews are designed to ask about levels of comfort, confidence, etc. toward their own languages and their users and use.
Open interviews with bilingual individuals can serve as rich qualitative research tools that unveil the nuanced attitudes these individuals hold toward language values and their perception of biculturalism. In an open interview setting, participants are free to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a flexible and conversational manner, often leading to in-depth insights. Bilinguals can articulate how they perceive each of their languages in terms of social status, emotional resonance, practical utility, and cultural identity. They may also express how language proficiency impacts their self-esteem or inclusion within different communities.
Furthermore, such interviews can shed light on the complexities of biculturalism. Bilingual individuals often navigate dual cultures, and their stories can reveal how they reconcile, integrate, or compartmentalize these cultures in their daily lives. They may discuss experiences of cultural conflict, adaptation, and hybrid identity formation. By discussing real-life scenarios, such as code-switching practices, family language policies, education, and professional environments, bilinguals can convey how their dual language abilities shape their worldviews and interpersonal relationships. The qualitative data gleaned from open interviews can therefore provide a multi-dimensional understanding of bilinguals' lived experiences, reflecting the intricate interplay between language and culture in shaping personal identity and societal participation.
Meet the Team
Hannah Madren
Lab Leader
Hi, I’m Hannah Madren. I’m a graduate student at the University of Virginia in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. I completed my B.S. in Human Development at Virginia Tech. During my undergrad, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Switzerland and Rwanda. In the Psycholinguistics Lab at UVA, I am the principal investor for the bilingual and bicultural interviews project. My main topics of interest include bilingualism/biculturalism, autism, and augmentative and alternative communication.
Undergraduate Assistants
Undergraduate Researcher
Areeba Hamid
I am a 4th year Cognitive Science major concentrating in psychology with a minor in Anthropology. I come from a multilingual household which made me interested in the Loncke Lab. I plan to further my studies through grad school in the near future.
Undergraduate Researcher
Sydney Jones
Hi! My name is Sydney Jones and I'm a Fourth Year in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in American Sign Language from the Bronx, NY. Although I was not raised bilingual, I have a strong interest in bilingualism specifically the bilingual nature of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Undergraduate Researcher
Zuhair Farooq
I am a fourth year student at UVA majoring in foreign affairs and psychology. I joined this research lab in order to continue learning about the diversity of language experiences different people have in their language history. During my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, reading and working out.
Undergraduate Researcher
Maria Acosta
Maria is a fourth-year psychology major on a pre-health track. At UVA, she is involved in Hoos Connected and Madison House. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, tutoring bilingual kids, volunteering at clinics, and spending time with friends and family.
Undergraduate Researcher
Warsan Arif
My name is Warsan Arif (She/Her), and I am a fourth-year Sociology major on the pre-med track. On grounds, I am the Recruitment and Special Projects chair for Transfer Advisory Board (TAB), I am a part of the Daniel Hale Pre-Health Society and AKD Sociology Honor Society. I am a volunteer at the UVA Hospital and Dermatology Clinics in Charlottesville. I am certified nurse aid work off-grounds. Lastly, I am involved in EESA as a model for TOTE. A few fun facts about me is that I have lived in Kuwait and Qatar, and that I am passionate about becoming a physician!
Undergraduate Researcher
Aissatou Barry
I am a third year at UVA studying anthropology and middle eastern languages and literature. I am from Richmond, Virginia, however I also grew up in my parents' homeland of Conakry, Guinea. Growing up in Guinea allowed me to learn my native language, Pulaar as well as French. Consequently, it sparked my passion for languages; I am currently learning Arabic, and in the past I have studied Spanish. My fascination with languages piqued my interest in studying learning, the process of learning, and the impact of bilingualism in the American education system and pedagogical practices that contribute to it.
Undergraduate Researcher
Cat Thong
I’m a 4th year cognitive science major. I am currently getting my Teaching English as second language certification. I’m actually going to Cambodia through the Peace corps to be a Secondary English teacher :D I wouldn’t say I am quadlingual but I can understand, Khmer, English, Mandarin and Vietnamese. I know some other languages like Thai and Laos, but I sound like a 5 year old when I speak.
Former Student
Meghal Penta
My name is Meghal and I was one of the original minds behind this project. I am a UVA alum with an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in psychology and linguistics, driven by my passion for understanding the intersection between language and culture. Furthermore, being part of a bilingual family myself, I
have always been interested in learning more about other people’s experiences with bilingualism.