Field of work

I am a linguist mainly interested in the syntax of sign languages, but also on their semantic and pragmatic characteristics. I am particularly interested in the universal patterns behind spoken and sign languages and how their grammatical deion can help to formalize them. I have also been working on sign language assessment looking at potential differences in the grammar of native and non-native signers.

I am currently an Associate Professor at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) in Bergen, and I am the head of the research group Sign language, interpreting, linguistics and communication (TOLK). Before I was at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Barcelona where I did my PhD and a two years post-doc.

You can find more information at my personal webpage: https://giorgiazorzi.com/  



Courses taught

2023-24

  • Intro to linguistics (within TST111 Norwegian Sign Language I
  • Intro to sign language linguistics (within TST112 Norwegian Sign Language II
  • BA thesis (TST350) 
  • Co-teaching of Interpreting and accompanying people with combined vision and hearing impairment/deafblindness (TST313)
  • BA and MA students supervision 

2022-23

  • Intro to linguistics (within TST111 Norwegian Sign Language I
  • Intro to sign language linguistics (within TST112 Norwegian Sign Language II
  • BA thesis (TST350)
  • Co-teaching of Deaf culture, history and language (TST113)
  • Co-teaching of Interpretation to/from Norwegian and Norwegian Sign Language (within TST211) - work in collaboration with a deaf Norwegian Sign Language expert.
  • COIL collaboration on “Sign language cross-linguistic studies using corpora” (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany; Stockholm University, Sweden; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil; Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway). April-June 2023.
  • BA students supervision 

2021 – 2022

  • Intro to linguistics (within TST111 Norwegian Sign Language I
  • Intro to sign language linguistics (within TST112 Norwegian Sign Language II
  • BA students supervision

Research areas

Sign language linguistics. 

See more: https://giorgiazorzi.com/research/ 


Research groups

Sign language, interpreting, linguistics and communication (TOLK).

Courses taught
  • TST111, Norwegian Sign Language 1, 24/25
  • TST112, Norwegian Sign Language 2, 24/25, subject responsible
  • TST113, Language, culture and history, 24/25
  • TST213, Interpreting and guiding people with combined vision and hearing impairment/deafblindness, part 1, 24/25
  • TST350, Bachelor Thesis in Norwegian Sign Language and Interpreting, 24/25, subject responsible