Farzaneh Hall 323
amel.khalfaoui@ou.edu
Profile
Amel Khalfaoui is a linguist and associate professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics and the Department of International and Area Studies. Her research interests lie in the intersection between semantics, pragmatics, cognitive science, and discourse analysis. She uses a methodology that combines native speakers’ questionnaires and analysis of naturally occurring discourse to analyze the meaning of linguistic forms which semantically encode little or no conceptual content such as referring expressions and discourse markers as they are produced and comprehended in context. Dr. Khalfaoui has also developed an interest in bridging the gap between linguistic theory and language pedagogy. Her peer-reviewed work appeared in the Journal of Pragmatics, Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics, Al’Arabya, and the International Journal of Arabic Linguistics. She is currently serving as an elected officer on the Executive Board of the Arabic Linguistics Society.
Dr. Khalfaoui is the co-editor of two books: Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXX (with Matthew Tucker) and Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXXI (with Youssef Haddad), which appeared under the series Studies in Arabic Linguistics, published by John Benjamins. The two books contain a collection of peer-reviewed articles which are empirical, theoretical, and experimental explorations of a variety of linguistic topics.
Dr. Khalfaoui is currently working on two research projects. In her first project, she is exploring a collection of linguistic data in order to provide empirical and theoretical evidence that vocative particles can be used to signal an evaluative meaning in the discourse. In her second project, Dr. Khalfaoui is analyzing the complex Tunisian Arabic discourse connective, ʕama, in order to demonstrate that although this linguistic form does not contribute to the truth conditions the proposition expressed, it plays an important role in constraining the comprehension process and guiding the hearer toward the intended discourse interpretation.
Professor Khalfaoui is the recipient of the Department of International and Area Studies Distinguished Faculty Award in 2020. She has served as the OU Arabic Flagship Associate director and the Arabic Program coordinator. She also received the ACTFL OPI Full Certification in 2018. As a teacher, she strives to create a student-centered learning environment where her students are fully engaged in their learning experiences through discussions, critical thinking, and collaborations. At OU, she has taught a variety of language and content Arabic courses. Prior to coming to OU, she has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in linguistics as well as Arabic courses at the University of Minnesota, Macalester College, St. Cloud State University, and Florida Atlantic University.
Selected Publications
Khalfaoui, A. & Haddad Y. (Eds.) (2019). Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXXI. John Benjamins Publishing Company. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Khalfaoui, A. & Haddad Y. (Eds.) (2019). Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXX. John Benjamins Publishing Company. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Khalfaoui, A. (2020). Procedural encoding of expressivity: The case of the Tunisian Arabic demonstrative ha-NP. International Journal of Arabic Linguistics, 6, 1-2.
Khalfaoui, A. (2020). Procedural encoding of expressivity: The case of the Tunisian Arabic demonstrative ha-NP. International Journal of Arabic Linguistics, 6, 1-2.
Khalfaoui, A. ( 2019). Generic expressions in Tunisian Arabic: Beyond the definite article al-In A. Khalfaoui & Y. Haddad (Eds.), Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXXI (pp. 181– 203) Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
Khalfaoui, A. (2017). A procedural analysis of the discourse connective fa and its implications for teaching Arabic as a foreign language. Al’Arabya, 50, 1–24.
Khalfaoui, A. (2016). A salience-based analysis of the demonstrative hāk as used in oral narratives. In S. Davis & U. Soltan (Eds.), Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXVI (pp. 169–186). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Education
PhD in Linguistics (Minor in Cognitive Science), University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. 2009
M.A. in Linguistics. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. 2004
Teaching Schedule for Fall 2023
ARAB 2013-001 Colloquial Arabic, PHSC-317, T/R 10:30-11:45
MLLL 3323-001 Lang, Cult, & Identity in MENA, DRC-A0128, T/R 9:00-10:15
Selected Awards
Faculty Investment Program Grant, University of Oklahoma, 2021
Junior Faculty Fellowship, University of Okalhoma 2017, 2018
Junior Faculty Fellowshop, College of International and Area Studies, 2016, 2017
Faculty Assistance Program, College of Arts and Sciences, 2016
