Paul Kroskrity

Paul Kroskrity is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in linguistic anthropology with a focus on Native American languages and cultures. He holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature, Comparative Religion, and Oriental Studies from Columbia College, and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Indiana University.

His research examines language usage in Native American societies, particularly in the context of verbal art, political discourse, and language revitalization. Key areas include Arizona Tewa and Central California Indigenous languages, emphasizing language ideologies, multilingualism, and the sociocultural dimensions of endangered languages. He collaborates with communities like the Western Mono and Tewa to document and revitalize Indigenous languages through innovative methods such as digital media and participatory research.

Kroskrity’s work critically addresses linguistic racism, sociopolitical discourse, and the intersection of language and identity. His publications span ethnopoetics, language policy, and the theoretical frameworks of linguistic anthropology, contributing to global debates on language endangerment and cultural preservation. He has edited major works including Regimes of Language and Native American Language Ideologies, and his research bridges academic and community-driven initiatives.