Elaine M Shenk

Elaine M Shenk is a Professor of Spanish and Chair of the Department of Languages and Linguistics at Saint Joseph's University. Her work focuses on sociolinguistic phenomena in language contact settings, emphasizing language ideologies, bilingualism, and policy debates across Puerto Rico and the United States.

• Education: PhD in Spanish-Linguistics from the University of Iowa; MA in Spanish-Linguistics from the University of New Mexico; BA in Liberal Arts from Eastern Mennonite University.

Her research explores the symbolic values and political dimensions of language contact, with a focus on Puerto Rican communities, U.S. legislative discourse, and educational contexts. She examines metaphors in language-status dynamics, sociolinguistic variation in intermediate classrooms, and the historical evolution of language policies in Congressional bills.

Recent publications address language ideologies in Puerto Rican migration, metaphors in language debates, and policy frameworks. These works span sub-fields like language legitimation campaigns, bilingual education strategies, and discourses on protectionism versus receptivity in language officialization.

Scientific Awards:

• 2019 Ed Brady SJ Faith in Action Award
• 2019 Alpha Sigma Nu Teaching Award
• 2016 Honorable Mention, AATSP Outstanding Scholarly Publication Award
• Multiple research grants including the Michael J. Morris Grant (2014)
• Service-learning and curriculum development grants (2012-2010)