Harold Torrence

Harold Torrence is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on comparative syntax and morphology of African and Native American languages, with particular emphasis on endangered languages. He holds a Ph.D. from UCLA (2005) and is based in Campbell Hall. His work bridges theoretical linguistics and fieldwork, aiming to document understudied languages while advancing syntactic theory.

Research projects include co-PI roles on NSF-funded initiatives training students in African fieldwork (e.g., Ghana-Togo Mountain languages like Avatime and Logba) and UC MEXUS-CONACYT grants investigating headless relative clauses in Mesoamerican languages (e.g., Iliatenco Me’phaa). These projects emphasize collaborative training of junior scholars and native linguists.

His publications span syntactic analysis of Wolof, Krachi, and Mixtec languages, addressing topics like relative clauses, wh-questions, and clause structure. Recent work (2024) explores A’-movement in Avatime and indeterminate pronouns in Kaqchikel, reflecting ongoing engagement with typological and formal syntactic questions.

Professional contributions include co-editing volumes like Africa’s Endangered Languages (2017) and organizing workshops on Mesoamerican syntax. He collaborates with institutions like CUNY Graduate Center and UCSD to advance interdisciplinary linguistic research.