SHCA Postgraduate Seminar

Each presenter will deliver a 15-minute presentation showcasing their research, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session for deeper discussion

Speakers & Topics:

1.Jane Chanell is a PhD candidate in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University. Her doctoral research, titled ‘A Corpus-Based Approach to Diachronic Morphology in Noun-Noun Compounds in Mandarin Chinese’, focuses on the intersection of morphology, semantics, and historical linguistics. She also holds a Master of Research in Language and Linguistics from Western Sydney University.

Jane is deeply passionate about language and linguistic studies, with particular interests in morphology, semantics, and historical linguistics. Alongside her doctoral research, she has worked as a lecturer and tutor at Western Sydney University, where she has taught a range of language and linguistics subjects, including Introduction to Linguistics, The Sound of Language, Second Language Acquisition, The Meaning of Language, and Historical Linguistics.

Topic: The Development and Semantic Chinese in Noun-Noun words

Abstract: This study examines the development and semantic change of noun-noun compounds in Mandarin Chinese, addressing a historically underexplored aspect of diachronic semantics and morphology. Traditionally, these compounds were thought to originate in Medieval Chinese (220 – 960 CE) due to phonological simplification. However, recent findings suggest their presence in Archaic Chinese (1676–209 BCE), prompting a renewed examination of their development.

Analysing 392 complex words from historical dictionaries and linguistic corpora, the study identifies three structural types in early Archaic Chinese: compounding, derivation, and univerbation. Additionally, it reveals three primary types of semantic change: conventional, metaphoric, and lexicalised. Quantitative analysis indicates that lexicalisation is the dominant process through which compounds acquire new meanings, with metaphorical extension playing a secondary role. Notably, coordinative compounds are more susceptible to lexicalisation than subordinative ones.

The findings are contextualised within key features of the Chinese language, including its simplified syllable structure, high homonymy, and logographic script, all of which shape the trajectory of semantic change. This research offers new insights into the development of Mandarin compound words, contributing to a broader understanding of historical semantics, morphological processes, and lexical change in Chinese.

2. Mahasta Zare recently submitted her PhD thesis in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University.  Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpreting, and master’s degrees in TESOL, Linguistics, and Ancient Languages and Cultures. Her research interests lie in cross-cultural adaptation, intercultural communication, cross-cultural pragmatics, second language learning, TESOL, teaching methodologies for ESL learners and different communication styles.

Research Topic: The Impact of Educational Background on Persian Speakers’ ESL Learning Experiences in Australia

Abstract: With the increasing immigration to Australia from non-English-speaking countries, the role of English-language proficiency in shaping immigrants’ lives has become increasingly important. Research consistently highlights a strong link between English proficiency and successful integration into the host society. This study explores the specific influence of background education on the English as a Second Language (ESL) learning experiences of Iranian immigrants in Australia. Drawing on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 24 adult Persian-speaking participants, the research investigates how educational experiences in Iran affect learners’ perceptions, approaches, and challenges in acquiring English. The findings aim to offer a deeper understanding of the role that prior educational background plays in shaping ESL learning, contributing to the broader understanding of how language learning supports immigrant integration.

3. Marley Krok  is undertaking a PhD focused on the emergence of new religious movements, the relationship between sacred texts and lived traditions, and the treatment of religion under Australian Law. She has presented papers at the 2020, 2023, and 2024 Australian Association for the Study of Religion conferences, was a co-author on a chapter “The Paradox of Gendered Holiness in Islamic Mysticism,” in Islam, Civility and Political Culture, edited by Milad Milani and Vassilios Adrahtas, 157-180, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021, and recently appeared on the ABC podcast The Religion and Ethics Report, 9 April 2025.

Research Topic: The Consequences of Legitimacy: Why Religion Requires a Legal Definition

Abstract: Within the field of Religious Studies, the debate over how to define religion endures thanks in part to the continued proliferation of new religious movements. Consequently, the issue of a singular definition impacts the lived experiences of religious individuals and communities, due to their reliance upon the protections, accommodations, and facilitation of their countries respective legal system. This research examines the efforts of the Australian legal system to formulate a sufficient definition of religion, as part of a larger examination of the role of legitimacy on the development of religious movements. Furthermore, this research considers the ability of new religious movements to challenge traditional assumptions of religion through the application of Critical Legal Theory.