Thesis Title:
Unspoken histories: Language, engagement, and affect in liminal heritage spaces
Thesis Abstract:
This research examines how visitors’ emotional experiences and engagement with heritage sites are expressed, particularly in relation to marginalised narratives, such as those of servants, which are often overshadowed by dominant stories of monarchs and the aristocracy. While there is a growing awareness of these overlooked narratives, the research aims to analyse visitor responses to “backstage” histories through an ethnographically grounded sociolinguistic fieldwork approach.
Key questions include how visitors articulate their emotional experiences at heritage sites, the sociolinguistic patterns that emerge in their language, and how official interpretive materials influence visitors’ verbal expressions. Additionally, it examines how a visitor’s background—such as age, gender, and cultural context—affects their language when discussing affective encounters.
The primary focus will be on Knole, a National Trust-run country house in Kent, which features recently discovered, long-closed areas that could enrich the heritage narrative. The research will employ qualitative methodologies, including observations and interviews, to analyse language patterns and responses. Complementary case studies will involve Hampton Court Palace and The Tower of London.
Ultimately, this cross-disciplinary research aims to bridge sociolinguistics and heritage studies, shedding light on how language influences experiences related to underrepresented histories. The findings will inform heritage interpretation and visitor engagement strategies, contributing to a deeper understanding of how memory and identity are linguistically constructed in the context of heritage experiences.
Primary Supervisor:
Dr Colleen Cotter