Literary linguistics was first established at the University in 1983, with the introduction of a Master's course, and Strathclyde has continued to be one of the world centres for this combination of theoretical linguistics and literary study. In recent years we have developed expertise and research also in psychological accounts of literature, which now form part of an extended portfolio of linguistic and psychological approaches.
Professor Nigel Fabb has published many books on linguistic approaches to literary form, including a recent book which relates poetic forms to the capacities of working memory. He is currently working on a project which looks at experiences which combine a sense of great significance with a feeling of ineffability, and which can involve strong emotional responses.
Dr Elspeth Jajdelska has worked on issues of spoken and written language and literature, and has recently published work on the psychology of vivid literary descriptions and on narrative processing. She also works on the special human and cultural value associated with reading literary narratives, and hence the importance of reading.
We supervise one year MRes as well as PhD theses on literary topics, particularly when they have a focus on linguistic or psychological questions.