Mark Richard Lauersdorf

Primary office:

The Question of "Cultural Language" and Interdialectal Norm in 16th Century Slovak Administrative-Legal Texts. Defended 1995 (Chair: Marc L. Greenberg). Director of Language Learning Technology and Associate Professor, Department of Modern and Classical Languages, University of Kentucky. Mark teaches courses in both general and language-specific linguistics, and is the director of technology-based projects for the departrments of Modern and Classical Languages and Hispanic Studies at the University of Kentucky. His current research interests are in historical and contemporary dialectology and sociolinguistics, especially language standardization, language planning and linguistic legislation - in both West Slavic (Polish, Czech, Slovak) and broader European (French, German, Norwegian) settings. He also works on issues of implementing academic technology in language pedagogy, as well as in research computing for the humanities. He is actively involved in numerous professional organizations for linguistics, Slavic studies and academic technology, and is webmaster and listowner for the Slovak Studies Association. (09/2005)

In Memoriam

Reed Rankin ✝ 12/29/2019

The faculty and students in the Department Slavic Languages and Literatures are deeply saddened that one our undergraduate majors, Reed Rankin, passed away last week (12/29) in Fredonia, Kansas. Reed was a beloved student in the department and is fondly remembered by his peers and professors. He began studying Russian as a Freshman and stayed with a challenging but rewarding language for three and a half years, tackling introductory, intermediate, advanced levels, and even continuing his studies into his senior year with Russian for the Professions. We know that he was planning further study in Moscow in the next academic year, prior to matriculation at KU School of Law.

A thoughtful student, Reed often contributed insight and posed challenging questions in class. Reed’s dedication to the study of Russian language, culture, and history was tremendous and fueled by infectious curiosity. He showed great acumen in translating from Russian into English, always finding English-language equivalents for Russian cultural concepts through skillful use of one-liners from American films. We also treasured his ability to speak in fluid Russian about rural, farm life in Kansas, and the effects that natural phenomena, like floods, on a farming community. He was a pleasure to know and teach, and will be remembered for his kind and polite demeanor. Our thoughts are with Reed’s family at this time

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In Memoriam

Reed Rankin ✝ 12/29/2019