PDRA for AHRC project Revision of the Anglo-Norman Dictionary (5080)
Job Description
The Role
What you’ll do
Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required
How to apply
Benefits
Employment Visa
The Role
The project, which has been running in Aberystwyth since 2003, is a comprehensive revision of the Anglo-Norman Dictionary (London: MHRA, 1977- 1992; = AND#l), to produce an online, freely-accessible dictionary (AND#2): www.anglo-norman.net). The current AHRC grant (2021-2025) centres on the revision of the T-Z entries.
AND#2 radically expands the coverage of medieval French into non-literary domains and thus presents a much more comprehensive picture of medieval language than many traditional, literature-based dictionaries. It is a vital part of the exploration of Britain in the Middle Ages, and a British counterpart to important research projects in France and Germany which are concerned with linguistic variation, dialectology, language contact, and non-literary language. Collectively, these projects will transform our understanding of the history of this period of French. The project also works closely together with the Oxford English Dictionary, the Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources and the Middle English Dictionary, mapping the multilingual reality of medieval British society.
The post thus represents an opportunity to become part of a well-established project that contributes to exciting international developments in medieval French scholarship, English language history and medieval culture.
PDRAs engaged on this project will need a Ph.D. in a relevant subject (probably medieval French, English or History) and (ideally) a high level of computer literacy.
Research context
The research context of the project may be described from two different but linked perspectives.
Firstly, the position of AND2 in respect of other lexicographical projects concerning medieval French, Middle English, Medieval Latin, and other Romance languages. The AND#2 editors have close connections to all the relevant projects elsewhere, in France, Germany, Britain and the USA.
The second context for AND#2 is the linguistic context of Anglo-Norman itself. The relationship with medieval French is complex. The relationship with modern English, as much as 75% of whose vocabulary comes from Anglo-Norman, is equally important. A proper account of the lexis of Anglo-Norman is essential to the history of both English and French, and one of the primary functions of AND#2 is to document and demonstrate the extent to which Anglo-Norman is an essential bridge between the two languages concerned.
Project source-data
– Collas-fichier (c. 1 million hand-written index cards assembled by the late J.P. Collas; E. Shanks, Dictionary of Law French (unpublished typescript, Cambridge University Library); miscellaneous gleanings assembled by the editors, in electronic and paper format.
– Circa 1000 published texts, available in probably the most complete library of Anglo-Norman text material, created by the AND project
– Electronic databases of digitised texts, some of which will be accessible on the Anglo-Norman Hub Web site (www.anglo-norman.net): total c. 3.5 million words. Concordancing software allows the editors to comb the material for new lexical items and, especially, collocations and phrases, in which AND#2 is now uniquely rich among cognate dictionaries
Role of the Post-Doctoral Research Assistant
The PDRA will join the editorial team in the second half of the current AHRC grant, and will help with the completion of U and V.
The PDRA will receive an initial grounding in lexicographical methodology as applied to the AND, as well as relevant techniques of corpus analysis and computerised lexicography. They will then work, in close collaboration with the editorial team, through each set of data indicated above, extracting quotations, and compiling quotations to be added to (in many cases, completely to transform) the AND#1 entries. They will write draft entries and proofread entries written by the editors. Publication of entries will be via a bespoke document management system and an Oxygen XML editing package.
If necessary, they will also assist with any other tasks that form part of the project’s impact set out under the current AHRC grant (including the organisation of a workshop/conference on Anglo-Norman for archivists).
To make an informal enquiry, please contact Geert de Wilde at gtd@aber.ac.uk.
Appointments are normally made within 4 – 8 weeks of the closing date.
What you’ll do
This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.
- Compilation and preparation of dictionary entries from index cards, print editions and electronic sources
- Verification of sources, quotations, datings and bibliographical data
- Production of semantic analyses of dictionary entries in order to determine senses and subsenses
- Establishment of the etymological context of dictionary entries, in connection with ten other relevant dictionaries of English, French and Latin
- Conversion of word files of the individual entries into XML
- Proofreading and correction of a prepublication version of the dictionary
- To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
- To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
- To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required
Essential
- First degree in French, History or English, with significant exposure to and training in French
- PhD in probably French, English (language) or History
- Knowledge of the history of French or direct experience of medieval French texts, or both (the project involves extensive use of non-literary materials)
- Committed to acquiring advanced skills in computerised lexicography (in which training will be given)
- Highest level of attention to detail
- An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.
Desirable
- Knowledge of other languages, especially Modern German, Middle English, Latin.
- Lexicographical or editing experience
- Familiarity with concordancing software and XML editing
- Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B1.*
*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/
How to apply
To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.
Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Benefits
- Flexible working policy
- 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
- Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
- Commitment to Professional Development
- Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
- Staff recognition and reward schemes
- Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
- Staff relocation bursary
- Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
- Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.
Please keep reading
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.
We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Employment Visa
Under the UK Government’s points-based system scheme, this role does notmeet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.