Welcome to the Faculty of Human Sciences, Prof. Dr. Pamela Perniss!
Prof. Dr. Pamela Perniss conducts research and teaches in the field of German Sign Language interpreting at the Faculty of Human Sciences at the University of Cologne.
A few questions for Prof. Dr. Pamela Perniss ...
1. Since when have you been a member of the Faculty of Human Sciences?
Since February 1, 2019.
2. What are the main areas of focus in your professorship?
Sign language linguistics and psycholinguistics, multimodality of language, iconicity of language, and of course sign language interpreting (especially interpreting between DGS (German Sign Language) and German) and sign language acquisition (especially DGS acquisition as a foreign language)
3. What do you particularly appreciate about the University of Cologne?
I’m sure I’ll be able to answer that question better in a year than I can now. I already greatly appreciate the openness to dialogue, the open exchange of ideas, and the willingness to help. And also the fact that the University of Cologne is in Cologne!
4. What is your motto for university teaching?
To inspire students through my own enthusiasm
5. What would you like to impart to your students?
Students in the BA program in German Sign Language Interpreting should not only be able to work as highly qualified GSL interpreters, but also develop a theoretically grounded knowledge of and love for the language.
6. Where are you originally from?
From Stuttgart. But it’s a bit complicated.
7. What is your attitude toward Carnival?
As a student in Cologne many years ago, I thought Carnival was great. I only experienced Carnival this year in passing—a few weeks after I moved to Cologne. It seemed more regulated to me than it did back then.
Curriculum Vitae:
2019–present: Professor (W3), Faculty of Human Sciences, Chair of Sign Language Interpreting, University of Cologne
2017–2019: Principal Lecturer in Linguistics, School of Humanities, University of Brighton
2014–2017: Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, School of Humanities, University of Brighton
2012–2014: Research Associate, Deafness, Cognition & Language (DCAL) Research Centre, University College London (UCL)
2010–2012: Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Language Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands (VIDI grant supported by the Dutch Science Foundation)
2008–2010: Marie Curie Research Fellow (EIF), DCAL, UCL
2007: PhD, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands
2001: MA in Linguistics, University of Cologne, Germany