Carleton University’s Erik Anonby, associate professor in French and Linguistics, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The fellowship will allow Anonby to conduct research mapping the languages of western Iran’s Zagros Mountains, including Kurdish, South Azerbaijani, Aramaic, Luri and Persian.
“The language situation in Iran is complex and incompletely documented, and because of this, an accurate, locality-based benchmark map of the country’s languages has never been produced,” said Anonby. “We aim to produce an accurate and detailed picture of language distribution and actual linguistic forms used in specific regions of the country. And from a broader perspective, this project contributes to global initiatives for documenting linguistic diversity.”
As part of the fellowship, Anonby will conduct research in Bamberg, Germany and other parts of Europe for 18 months beginning in July 2016. He will also have the opportunity to attend German language courses with the aim of aiding his research.
Anonby expects that the trip will provide opportunities to connect with linguists and cartographers in Germany, the wider European academic community, and Iran.
“The sharing of knowledge through increased collaboration with scholars in Germany and internationally will contribute to the global impact of this project,” he said.