Book published as an outcome of the NODE project
We are pleased to announce that, as part of the 4EU+ collaboration, the NODE project (Naming for Othering in a Diversified Europe across Selected European Languages) — implemented under the SEED4EU+ call — has resulted in the publication of a new book: The Language of Othering in a Diverse Europe (Brill, 2025). Edited by Dr. Marta Falkowska and Prof. Jadwiga Linde-Usiekniewicz of the University of Warsaw, the volume is available in open access, free of charge, on the publisher’s website. In the testimonial below, Dr. Falkowska shares her reflections on the collaboration within the project and the process leading to the book’s publication:
“The NODE project explored the pivotal role of language in creating and reinforcing social divisions in increasingly diverse European societies. We examined whether the concept of “othering” could inform linguistically-oriented research and decided to publish our results in English to reach wider audiences, which is less common in Slavic contexts.
Anxious as I initially was about acting as PI for the first time, I deeply appreciated the trust placed in me by colleagues from three 4EU+ universities. Strong team spirit and mutual support marked the whole process. It was highly rewarding to work with such dedicated and goal-oriented researchers. I learned much from experienced colleagues while also supporting early-career scholars.
The SEED initiative provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills, and I am grateful for the excellent administrative help from both the local 4EU+ office and my faculty. Above all, the project made me aware of the potential that each member contributes: differences in experience, expertise, languages, academic background, and personality are not obstacles but assets that enrich collaboration.”
Book details:
The Language of Othering in a Diverse Europe
Brill's Studies in Language, Cognition and Culture, Volume: 44
Volume Editors: Marta Falkowska and Jadwiga Linde-Usiekniewicz
This book explores how language is used to create division and discrimination in diverse European societies by emphasizing differences in ethnicity, race, national identity, beliefs, or appearance. The authors analyze how public discourse—particularly in political and media narratives—shapes and reinforces an “us vs. them” mindset. They examine words and expressions that denigrate or marginalize specific groups in Polish, German, Czech, Slovak, and Croatian, and observe how certain communities are also reclaiming terms that were once hurtful. The analyses of linguistic strategies employed in the process of othering demonstrate that the concept of othering can be effectively applied to linguistic data.
Contributors are: Dagmara Banasiak, Marta Chojnacka-Kuraś, Marta Falkowska, Jadranka Gvozdanović, Milena Hebal-Jezierska, Agnieszka Karlińska, Anna Kołos, Marie Kopřivová, Marek Łaziński, Jadwiga Linde-Usiekniewicz, Agnieszka Mikołajczuk, Iva Petrak, Jiří Rejzek, Lucie Saicová Římalová, Łukasz Wnuk, and Magdalena Zawisławska.
Read more and download the book: https://brill.com/display/title/72838