Jeff Turley

Jeff Turley is a Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Brigham Young University (BYU), part of the College of Humanities. He has been a longstanding faculty member since 1989 and served as Department Chair from 2017 to 2023. His academic work spans both linguistic theory and historical manuscript studies.

Education:

• BA, Brigham Young University, 1982
• MA, Brigham Young University, 1984
• PhD, University of California, Berkeley, 1992 (Romance Philology)

His primary research interests lie in Historical Linguistics, Spanish Syntax and Semantics, and the transcription and translation of early modern Spanish and Portuguese manuscripts. He has made significant contributions to the study of colonial Iberian texts, including major publications on the Boxer Codex and diplomatic commentaries from the Spanish Empire. His scholarly focus bridges linguistic analysis with historical and ethnographic inquiry.

Prof. Turley teaches a wide range of courses in Spanish linguistics, including phonetics, historical linguistics, syntactic theory, and Romance Philology. He has directed the Madrid Study Abroad program four times and also led a program in the Dominican Republic. He co-directs the Rural Mexico Literacy program with Dr. Daryl Hague, reflecting his commitment to applied language education and community engagement.

Scientific Awards:

• Humanities Professorship, BYU College of Humanities (2016–2021)

In addition to his administrative leadership as Department Chair, Prof. Turley remains an active educator and researcher. He integrates his passion for music—particularly classical and jazz piano and organ—into his personal life, and enjoys outdoor exploration in Utah with his wife, Susan M. Quebbeman.