Researchers in the humanities strive to understand and interpret the impact of these changes. As individuals of differing cultures establish themselves within communities, elements within various languages are affected. Shana Poplack, a sociolinguist , investigates the linguistic manifestations of language, particularly the mechanisms by which language changes evolve in different contact situations. Mechanisms of language combination are investigated in language pairs specifically chosen for their typological contrasts. Her findings can provide valuable information on how to address educational and social-service needs of bilingual communities and of communities with linguistic varieties that are often misrepresented or misunderstood.
Popular music responds to, reflects, and influences our culture and society.
Lori Burns, from the Department of Music , is interested in the representations of violence in popular music by women. Lang, Annie Lennox, and Sarah McLachlan and in songs by rock and alternative artists such as Madonna, Pat Benatar, and Alanis Morissette. Burns' approach is interdisciplinary, combining cultural studies, music theory, and analysis as well as feminist theory and interpretation of the performing arts. She is not only interested in the messages found in lyrics but also in the messages found in the music itself. Her objective is to better understand the historical, political and social factors that shape the composer, the performer, and the listener.