Transdisciplinary Approach to Language Study ― The Complexity Theory Perspective

Transdisciplinary Approach to Language Study argues that scientific research should aim to help find solutions to the real-life problems of real people. It promotes a new model of constructivist knowledge creation in the area of language study, based on concepts of complexity theory with a strong transdisciplinary aspect. The study focuses on examples of scientific approaches and research methods in the study of language and society which foster a dialogue among academic communities, policy makers and interested non-scientific communities of practice. The book argues this is necessary in order to come up with long-term, sustainable solutions which may ultimately lead to a more equal distribution of social power in our societies.

Jelena Filipovic is a Professor of Spanish and Sociolinguistics at the Department of Iberian Studies, Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Her research interests are in the areas of critical sociolinguistics, language policy and planning, Sephardic studies, gender studies, Hispanic and applied linguistics. She has authored and co-authored several books and several dozens of articles in academic journals and monographic publications. She has been engaged in a number of national and international projects in the areas of language education policies, gender sensitive language policies, foreign and second language teaching curriculum design and development and language maintenance and revitalization.