Songjun He (China)

My interest in linguistics developed when I started doing my undergraduate in Hong Kong, a place vibrating with various languages. The undergraduate study and life nourished my sense of linguistics in general and allowed me to dive into Mandarin and Cantonese semantics in particular. I got the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in theoretical phonology and to satisfy my interests in further languages, especially ancient and endangered languages during my MPhil study in Oxford.

My DPhil work focuses on both synchronic and diachronic Manchu phonology. Manchu language is a critically endangered language that used to be an official language of the Qing dynasty. As a Tungusic language, Manchu has close interaction with Mandarin, especially Beijing Mandarin. It also holds a crucial position during the exchange between the western world and the Qing dynasty in religion and science areas.

My research in Manchu language will be undoubtedly enriched by the exchange of knowledge within the Ertegun community, as Manchu language itself is closely connected to folk music, religion, history and more. It is my absolute privilege to be part of the community and contribute. I am very grateful to the generosity of Mica Ertegun and the Ertegun Scholarship Programme and the support I have and will receive from the team and other scholars.

Apart from linguistics, I am a fan of museums and I like playing with my cat Mimi.