EllenPetra Kester

Dr. EllenPetra Keter is an Associate Professor of Spanish Linguistics at Utrecht University, specializing in the syntax of Germanic and Romance languages, with a focus on Papiamento/u—the Spanish-Portuguese-lexifier creole spoken in the Caribbean Netherlands Antilles. Her research explores language use, attitudes, and identity in multilingual Caribbean communities and among diaspora students in the Netherlands.

• Key themes: language policy, colonial legacy in education, multilingualism, and sociolinguistics.

She directed the Master’s program in Multilingualism and Language Acquisition (2016–2021, resuming 2024–2025) and teaches Spanish linguistics at the Bachelor’s level. Collaborations include projects with the University of Puerto Rico and University of Aruba, influencing language policy on St. Eustatius and Bonaire. Papiamentu was recognized under the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages in 2024 following her work.

Her teaching includes courses like Introduction to Formal Spanish Linguistics and Through the Looking-Glass of Language: a Comparative-Linguistic Journey. She has presented extensively at international conferences, including the Sociolinguistics Symposium and Society for Caribbean Linguistics.