Gerald Stell

Gerald Stell is an Associate Professor in the Section of Language and Information Sciences at the University of Lausanne, appointed since August 2023. Previously, he held roles as Assistant and Associate Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He earned his PhD in Linguistics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (VUB).

His research focuses on multilingualism and linguistic variation, particularly in postcolonial contexts. Key areas include phonetic/grammatical variation, code-switching, and identity strategies in language use, with a specific emphasis on Namibian English and Afrikaans. He is currently finalizing a monograph on Namibian English, proposing an eclectic variationist methodology combining subjective and objective data analysis.

His recent work explores sociolinguistic dynamics in postcolonial settings, including studies on language contact, ethnic identity negotiation, and the interaction between sociopolitical factors and linguistic structures. His research bridges theoretical linguistics with applied sociolinguistics, aiming to contextualize language variation within broader social and historical frameworks.