Kamil Deen

Kamil Ud Deen is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. His research focuses on first language acquisition, emphasizing the interplay between innate linguistic principles and environmental input. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from UCLA, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and a B.A. in Linguistics from UCLA.

His key research interests include the acquisition of inflectional morphemes, syntactic structures (e.g., agreement, tense), and reference binding in languages such as Thai, Swahili, Tagalog, and Samoan. He investigates cross-linguistic diversity, particularly in understudied languages of the Pacific and Bantu languages. Notably, he explores violations of Universal Grammar principles in Thai and the role of empathy in Japanese child language.

Current projects include studies on subject prominence, empathy in Japanese, passive voice acquisition, and the acquisition of ergativity in Samoan. He collaborates extensively with students and colleagues on projects like the Tagalog voice system and the development of tools to measure language vitality (TITA).

• Education:
  • 2002: Ph.D., UCLA, Applied Linguistics
  • 1995: Ed.M., Harvard University
  • 1994: B.A., UCLA, Linguistics

Dr. Deen has advised over a dozen students, many of whom now hold academic positions. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with empirical research, addressing foundational questions about language universals and language-specific variation.