Foreign languages facultyDiana E. Gonzalez, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Spanish Ph.D., University of Göttingen, Germany
Specialization in Linguistics, UNS, Argentina
Licenciada en Letras, UNS, Argentina 712-707-7036
gonzalez@nwciowa.edu
NTBM 1
ProfileDr. Gonzalez' main interests revolve around how languages function and behave, especially in fields related to language in society and meaning. She has presented on those topics at national conferences of the North American Christian Foreign Language Association. Prior to joining Northwestern's faculty, Dr. Gonzalez served with Wycliffe Bible Translators and the Summer Institute of Linguistics, teaching at the Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Perú. She also taught Spanish and German at Dordt College, as well as graduate and undergraduate linguistic courses at the universities of Chihuahua and Zacatecas in Mexico, and worked as an editor for a publishing ministry in Costa Rica.
Courses- Advanced Spanish Conversation
Advanced Spanish Conversation The main goal of this course is to improve oral communication, which includes speaking as well as listening, comprehension. Since successful communication also involves cultural awareness of the Spanish speaker's feelings, thoughts and attitudes, part of this course involves studying sources of these important underlying constructs.Prerequisite: SPA202 or equivalent proficiency.(1 credit) - Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literature
Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literature Advanced development of reading skills and strategies and an introduction to Hispanic literature and literary topics. Students will learn how to effectively read a literary text in Spanish. Attention will be paid to strategies for understanding context through vocabulary and grammar recognition. Additionally students will be introduced to the literary genres and cultural contexts of the texts they study as well as pertinent critical commentary.Prerequisite: SPA202 or equivalent proficiency.(3 credits) - The Sounds of Spanish
The Sounds of Spanish An in-depth study of Spanish phonetics. Topics include techniques and rules of Spanish articulation, analysis of the sounds of vowels and consonants in Spanish and their differences from English pronunciation, syllabication, rhythm, stress, pitch and intonation. Prerequisites: SPA202 and one 3-credit 300-level course. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department) - Written Spanish Translation
Written Spanish Translation This course is an introduction to the theory, methods, techniques and
problems involved in basic translation. The first half of the semester
will focus mostly on translating from Spanish to English. The second half
of the course will involve general material from specific areas of life:
popular culture, music, social sciences, education, business, medicine,
the legal profession, etc., with translation exercises from both Spanish
to English and English to Spanish. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisites:
Spanish 202 and one 3-credit 300-level course. (3 credits; alternate
years, consult department)
- Special Topics in Language
Special Topics in Language See course description for LAN365. (2-4 credits) - Survey of Hispanic Literature from the Americas
Survey of Hispanic Literature from the Americas A study of Spanish Latin-American literature from the colonial period to the present. Emphasis upon major literary movements and their representative masterpieces. Prerequisite: SPA314 or permission of instructor. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department) - Beginning Spanish Language and Culture
Beginning Spanish Language and Culture Combined study of language and culture. Study of major social systems and themes of Hispanic culture. Building on previously acquired ability in Spanish, elementary study of the language in a communicative context. Emphasis upon integration of developing language skills with cultural understanding and sensitivity in oral communication settings.Prerequisite: SPA101, or placement by the foreign language placement exam.(3 credits) - Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture
Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture Combined study of intermediate language and culture. Study of primary sources in print, audio and visual forms to develop appreciation for the ways culture in general and the language's culture in particular shape a variety of social contexts. Building on previously acquired ability in Spanish, continued study of language in a communicative context with considerable emphasis upon precision and expansion of linguistic skills.Prerequisite: SPA102, or placement by the foreign language placement exam.(3 credits)
Publications and presentations- "Metaphor--So Far ... So Close," XIX NACFLA Conference, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California
- "Is Metaphor Biblingual?" XVIII NACFLA Conference, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008
- "All Languages Are Created Equal," XVII NACFLA Conference, Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky, 2007
- Sociolinguistics Component for Mother-Tongue Translators Training Program, Peruvian Bible Society, Lima, Perú, 2006
- "Developing Authors in Minority Languages," XVII Congress of Social Communication Students, Hermilio Valdizán University, Huánuco, Perú, 2005
- "Language Attitudes Towards Three Quechua Varieties in Eastern Apurimac," Ricardo Palma University, Lima, Perú, 2005
Professional experience- Professor at CILTA, Ricardo Palma University, Lima, Peru
- Assistant Profesor of Spanish, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa
- Professor of Linguistics, University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
- Assistant Professor of Linguistics, University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
- Instructor in Spanish, University of Göttingen, Germany
Memberships- International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education
- Linguistic Society of America
- Summer Institute of Linguistics
- North American Christian Foreign Language Association
Honors- Member of the National System of Researchers (SNI), Mexico, 1993-1996
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