Sonya Bird

Sonya Bird is a full-time Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Victoria, affiliated with the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures under the Faculty of Humanities. Her research integrates phonetics with Indigenous language revitalization, focusing on pronunciation acquisition, speech visualization, and documentation of Salish and Dene languages.

• PhD in Linguistics from University of Arizona
• Established Speech Research Lab (2007) with Canadian Foundation for Innovation funding
• Graduate Advisor for Masters in Indigenous Language Revitalization (2020-2022)
• Academic Advisor for Indigenous Language Revitalization Certificate Program

Her work spans multiple indigenous languages including Hul’q’umi’num’, SENĆOŦEN, Tŝilhqot’in, and Carrier. Through a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (2018-2023), she’s developed tools like speech visualization resources and online listening quizzes to support language learners. Her recent projects examine pronunciation patterns across proficiency levels and age groups.

Key publications include studies on Hul’q’umi’num’ speech dynamics, SENĆOŦEN consonant acquisition, and practical phonetics lab manuals. She teaches courses in acoustic phonetics, speech physiology, and language revitalization contexts.

• SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (2018-2023)