Walter Bisang

**Walter Bisang** is a Full Professor of General and Comparative Linguistics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 1992. He holds memberships in the Academia Europaea (since 2016) and the Academy of Sciences and Literature, Mainz (since 2015). His research focuses on linguistic typology, grammaticalization, and cross-linguistic variation, with special attention to East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Caucasian languages. Bisang has directed major research initiatives, including the Collaborative Research Center (SFB 295) on 'Cultural and Linguistic Contacts' (1999–2008) and contributed to the PLATO project on language, cognition, and education.

**Education**: PhD in General Linguistics, University of Zurich (1990); studies in Thai, Cambodian, and linguistics at SOAS, University of London (1986–1987). Earlier studies in linguistics, Chinese, and Georgian at the University of Zurich (1978–1986).

**Research Interests**: Hidden complexity in grammar, grammaticalization processes, sociolinguistic factors in language change, and the interplay between language structure and cognitive processing. He has conducted fieldwork in Asia, Africa, and Europe, including visits at Zhejiang University, University of Hong Kong, and Chulalongkorn University.

**Key Projects**: Editor-in-Chief of *Trends in Linguistics* (1996–2009), coordinator of the Research Center SOCUM (2009–2014), and advisor to over 30 PhD students annually through the Landesgraduiertenförderung (1996–2010).

**Awards**: Recognized for contributions to linguistics through prestigious academic fellowships and editorial roles. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with interdisciplinary studies in education, neurolinguistics, and cognitive science.