Raphael Berthelé

Raphael Berthelé is a Full Professor in the Department of Multilingualism and Foreign Language Teaching at the University of Fribourg's Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences. His work focuses on the complex dynamics of multilingual communication and language acquisition across different contexts and age groups. With an extensive publication record spanning over two decades, Professor Berthelé has established himself as a leading researcher in multilingual studies.

His primary research interests encompass intercomprehension, receptive skills, interlinguistic influences, cognitive linguistics, variational linguistics, and folk linguistics. These interests manifest in studies examining how speakers navigate between multiple languages, how linguistic knowledge transfers across languages, and how social perceptions shape language use and policy. His work often bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications in language education.

Analysis of Professor Berthelé's recent publications reveals a strong focus on contemporary challenges in multilingual education, including the impact of digital tools on language learning, cognitive aspects of multilingual processing, and the intersection of language acquisition with neurocognitive mechanisms. His research increasingly incorporates interdisciplinary approaches, combining linguistic analysis with cognitive science, neuroscience, and educational psychology to address complex questions about multilingual competence.

Professor Berthelé leads significant research initiatives, including the ongoing project 'Digital tools in L2 and L3 vocabulary acquisition. A cross-linguistic investigation' (2024-2028), which examines how digital resources impact language learning across different linguistic backgrounds. His work has secured substantial funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation and other sources, reflecting its importance to the field.

His research methodology spans qualitative and quantitative approaches, with recent projects incorporating advanced techniques such as eye-tracking, keylogging, and brain imaging to investigate language processing. Professor Berthelé has also organized major academic events, including the EuroSLA 31 conference in 2022, demonstrating his leadership in the international second language acquisition community.