Nonhlanhla Ntuli, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nonhlanhla Ntuli, PhD, is a Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, specializing in multilingual language processing and gesture studies. With a focus on how multilingual learners process questions, her research bridges linguistics and cognitive science. She has contributed significantly to the understanding of gesture and speech in oral narratives and multilingual language development. Dr. Ntuli has presented her work at international conferences and earned several prestigious awards. Her research aids the development of language education strategies for multilingual learners in South Africa and beyond. 🌍📚👩🏫
Professional profile :
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Summary of Suitability :
Dr. Nonhlanhla Ntuli is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her pioneering research in multilingual language processing and gesture studies at the intersection of linguistics and cognitive science. Her research not only advances our understanding of multilingual learners’ language processing but also makes significant contributions to language education, particularly in multilingual contexts such as South Africa.
As a Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr. Ntuli has demonstrated an exceptional ability to integrate cognitive science with linguistics to explore how individuals process language in multilingual environments. Her research directly impacts language education strategies and contributes to improving educational outcomes for multilingual learners worldwide.
Education and Experience:
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PhD in Linguistics (2021) – University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 🧑🎓
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MA in Linguistics & African Languages (2016) – University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 📖
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B.A. Honours in African Languages & Linguistics (2014) – University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa 📝
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B.A. (2013) – University of the Witwatersrand, Majors: African Languages & Psychology 🧠
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Lecturer (2021–Present) – University of KwaZulu-Natal 🏫
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Sessional Lecturer (2020–2021) – University of the Witwatersrand 🎓
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Research Assistant (2016–2021) – University of the Witwatersrand 🔬
Professional Development:
Dr. Ntuli’s career is defined by her continual development in multilingual education and gesture studies. She actively participates in international research collaborations, sharing her findings in prominent conferences across Europe and Africa. As a mentor, she leads postgraduate students in their linguistic studies, especially focusing on South African languages. Dr. Ntuli’s recent fellowship from the College of Humanities at UKZN and her research grant from the NRF highlight her growing influence in the field. Additionally, she organizes workshops and seminars for international students to enhance cross-cultural academic exchange. 🌍💡🎓
Research Focus:
Dr. Ntuli’s research explores multilingual learners’ language development, focusing on the processing of questions in L2 and L3 environments. She investigates how gestures enhance the comprehension of oral narratives in Sesotho and other Bantu languages. Her work also touches on the categorization and analysis of languages like Mamelodi Lingo, a contact language, and the cognitive mechanisms involved in language processing in multilingual contexts. She is dedicated to improving multilingual education through understanding both speech and gesture in language acquisition. 🧠📚🌐
Awards and Honors:
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2025–2027: College of Humanities Early Career Scholars (CHUM-ECS) Fellowship, University of KwaZulu-Natal 🎓🏆
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2024–2026: National Research Foundation Thuthuka Post PhD Track Research Grant 🌱🔬
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2019–2020: Postgraduate Merit Awards, University of the Witwatersrand 🏅
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2016–2019: NRF Freestanding Innovation Doctoral Scholarship 💡
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2014–2015: NRF MA Scholarship 🎓
Publication Top Notes :
Title: The Discursive Strategies in the Spoken Narratives of Multilingual Sepitori and Sesotho Speakers
Citation:
Kunene Nicolas, R., & Ntuli, N. (2025, April 24). Languages. DOI: 10.3390/languages10050089.
Title: Towards Diversifying Early Language Development Research: The First Truly Global International Summer/Winter School on Language Acquisition (/L+/) 2021
Citation:
Aravena-Bravo, P., Cristia, A., Garcia, R., Kotera, H., Kunene Nicolas, R., Laranjo, R., Arokoyo, B. E., Benavides-Varela, S., Benders, T., Boll-Avetisyan, N., et al. (2024, March 14). Journal of Cognition and Development. DOI: 10.1080/15248372.2023.2231083.
Title: The Categorisation of Questions in the Assessment of Language Subjects for Multilingual Learners in South African Primary Schools
Citation:
Ntuli, N., & Kunene Nicolas, R. (2023, May 4). South African Journal of African Languages. DOI: 10.1080/02572117.2023.2248739.
Title: Towards Diversifying Early Language Development Research: First Truly Global International Summer/Winter School on Language Acquisition (/L+/) 2021
Citation:
Aravena-Bravo, P., Cristia, A., Garcia, R., Kotera, H., Kunene Nicolas, R., Laranjo, R., Arokoyo, B., Benavides-Varela, S., Benders, T., Boll-Avetisyan, N., et al. (2023, January 13). Preprint. DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/a3dy8.
Title: Preliminary Data on Representational Gesture in Romance and Bantu Languages Using Ping
Citation:
Sparaci, L., Brookes, H., Capirci, O., Kunene-Nicolas, R. N., Hadian-Cefidkhanie, A., & Colletta, J.-M. (2019, February 26). HAL. HAL: hal-02049619.
Conclusion :
Dr. Nonhlanhla Ntuli’s groundbreaking research in multilingual language processing, gesture studies, and language education positions her as a perfect fit for the Best Researcher Award. Her strengths in combining linguistics with cognitive science have led to valuable insights that not only advance the field of linguistics but also improve the education of multilingual learners. Her work offers practical solutions that have a profound impact on language education strategies, making her a highly impactful researcher on both a national and international level.