I am a fifth-year Ph.D student in the Linguistics department at the University of Pennsylvania, and I live in Philadelphia.

Currently my research investigates the syntax and morphology of Indonesian languages, particularly Madurese, Javanese and colloquial Indonesian. I employ both language-internal analysis and cross-linguistic comparison within a formal theory of morphosyntax. I am particularly interested in intra-speaker variability, and how this informs current theories of generative syntax.

My dissertation, Optional Morphosyntax in Derivational Grammar, investigates functional elements that are variable for a single speaker, i.e. two or more forms are possible in the same position without differences in meaning. I demonstrate that variability can arise at different points in a derivation, and propose that optionality can incorporated into an articulated theory of derivational grammar while still maintaining an autonomous view of syntax. My dissertation defense is planned for April 2018, supervised by Julie Legate, with committee members David Embick and Florian Schwarz.

Through extended periods of fieldwork in Indonesia, I aim to contribute novel data and observations to our understanding of language structure, particularly from under-represented languages such as Madurese. I have also worked on Voice and A-bar movement, WH-agreement, possessor sub-extraction, null prepositions and unusual pronouns and reflexives in Indonesian languages.  As a secondary interest, I am interested in best practices in fieldwork methodology, collaborative research models and integrating native speakers into the research process.

For the most recent version of my CV, please contact me by email at:  jeoungh (at) sas.upenn.edu.