Donald Dyer

Donald Dyer is a Professor at the University of Mississippi, serving as the Associate Dean for Faculty & Academic Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and Co-Director of the Arabic and Chinese Language Flagship Programs. He has been affiliated with the Department of Modern Languages since the late 1980s.

• Education:
  • B.A. in Russian (Honors), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (1980)
  • M.A. in Slavic Languages, University of Chicago (1982)
  • Ph.D. in Slavic Languages, University of Chicago (1990)

Dr. Dyer specializes in Slavic and Balkan linguistics, focusing on Bulgarian, Romanian dialectology, and languages in contact. His work bridges syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistic identity in Eastern Europe.

His publications explore topics like the Romanian dialect of Moldova, Balkan Sprachbund, and Bulgarian word order. He has edited multiple volumes honoring prominent linguists and contributed to Balkanistica and Romance Monographs as an editor.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Distinguished Professor, University of Mississippi (2018)
  • Thomas F. Frist, Sr. Student Service Award (2017)
  • Kenneth E. Naylor Memorial Lecturer (2014)
  • Nolan E. Shepard International Service Award (2011)
  • Mississippi Foreign Language Association Award of Distinction (2006)
  • Humanities Teacher of the Year (2004)
  • Liberal Arts Outstanding Professor of the Year (1992)