MMC Linguistics Scholar Published in ‘Names’ Journal

Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders Susan Behrens, Ph.D., has published an article discussing onomastics and identity in Shirley Jackson’s 1951 novel, Hangsaman. Titled “The Essential Self of Natalie Waite in Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson,” the article was featured in the most recent edition of Names: A Journal of Onomastics.

Onomastics, the study of proper names, is one of the many subjects covered in SPCH 160: Introduction to Linguistics taught by Dr. Behrens. The course includes a unit that explores onomastics, investigating cultural and generational differences between couples deciding on surnames upon marriage.

“As the SIG coordinator of the American Name Society Facebook Group on Literary Names, I wrote this article for Names on Shirley Jackson’s naming schemes. The piece encapsulates both my teaching and professional activities” says Dr. Behrens. “And it was fun!”

Students interested in linguistics and onomastics are encouraged to apply to MMC’s Communication Sciences and Disorders programs, including the B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology, the minor in Language Sciences, and the Post-Baccalaureate Program.

Dr. Behrens holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Brown University and has conducted research on the processing of language and its neural connections at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (NY) and Cambridge University (UK). Along with this newly published article, Dr. Behrens is the author of seven books, 29 academic chapters, and 20 editorially-reviewed articles. She has presented research at 28 conferences, and, in addition to her role as Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, she is also the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Director of the Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence.

Congratulations Dr. Behrens!

Published: March 04, 2021