Janet Sorensen

Janet Sorensen is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research specializes in 18th-century British literature with a focus on linguistic evolution, cultural history, and empire studies. She has authored influential monographs like Strange Vernaculars (2017) and The Grammar of Empire (2000), exploring how language and literature reflect sociopolitical dynamics. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, including those listed in Fall 2024 and 2016-present. Her office is located at 334 Wheeler Hall, with Spring 2025 office hours on Thursdays 3:30-5 PM.

Dr. Sorensen's work bridges literary analysis with historical linguistics, examining how marginalized linguistic forms (slang, cant, nautical terms) contributed to the formation of standard English. She also investigates how empire influenced grammatical structures and narrative techniques in 18th-century texts. Her research highlights intersections between language, power, and cultural identity.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though her scholarly contributions have likely garnered recognition in academic circles. She maintains an active teaching schedule and engages in departmental activities at Berkeley's English Department, housed in Wheeler Hall.