{"id":23680,"date":"2025-05-28T13:12:59","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T11:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/?page_id=23680"},"modified":"2026-03-02T11:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T10:57:08","slug":"kunzmann","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/kunzmann\/","title":{"rendered":"Profile – Janika Kunzmann"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/jgu-base-pageheader>\n\n\n
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Since 2025
<\/strong>Research associate at Ghent University, Belgium<\/td><\/tr>
Since 2023
<\/strong>Doctoral candidate in African languages and linguistics at JGU Mainz, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2021
<\/strong>Study abroad at Osaka University (Graduate School of Letters), Japan <\/td><\/tr>
2019-2022
<\/strong>Master of Arts in Empirical linguistics at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2019-2023
<\/strong>Explored coursework in the Master of Arts Modern East Asian studies at Goethe University Frankfurt<\/td><\/tr>
2017
<\/strong>Study abroad at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, South Africa <\/td><\/tr>
2016-2018
<\/strong>Japanese studies at JGU Mainz, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2016-2019
<\/strong>Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at JGU Mainz, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2014-2019
<\/strong>Bachelor of Arts in Ethnology at JGU Mainz, Germany<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n\n<\/jgu-base-imagegallery>\n\n\n\n

Publications at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial work<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2025.\u00a0(with Nico Nassenstein): Lingala: Current topics \/ Sujets d\u2019actualit\u00e9.\u00a0 Mainzer Beitr\u00e4ge zur Afrikaforschung 47. Cologne: K\u00f6ppe.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Articles in journals and anthologies (peer-reviewed)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2026.\u00a0Contact-induced change on the Adamawa Plateau: Mbum in contact with Fulfulde. In: Daisuke Shinagawa (ed.):\u00a0Describing linguistic dynamism in Africa<\/em>. Tokyo: Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa.<\/td><\/tr>
2025. (with Nico Nassenstein): Bringing research perspectives together in the study of Lingala: A synopsis.\u00a0In: Nico Nassenstein & Janika Kunzmann (eds.):\u00a0Lingala: Current Topics \/ Sujets d\u2019actualit\u00e9<\/em>. Mainzer Beitr\u00e4ge zur Afrikaforschung 47.\u00a0Cologne: K\u00f6ppe, 15-36.<\/td><\/tr>
2025. Passive and functionally equivalent constructions in the contact language Lingala.\u00a0In: Nico Nassenstein & Janika Kunzmann (eds.):\u00a0Lingala: Current Topics \/ Sujets d\u2019actualit\u00e9<\/em>. Mainzer Beitr\u00e4ge zur Afrikaforschung 47.\u00a0Cologne: K\u00f6ppe, 151-170.<\/td><\/tr>
2024. Theoretical considerations on linguistic innovation through new combination in African youth language practices: Exemplified in Yank\u00e9 and Langila (DR Congo). Linguistics Vanguard<\/em>. De Gruyter. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/lingvan-2022-0146<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. (with Klaus Beyer): Retracing labial-velar consonants in Mbum (Adamawa): Between genetic transmission and language contact. Africa and Overseas<\/em> 95. 26-48. https:\/\/journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de\/hup1\/afrikaunduebersee\/article\/view\/270<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. Diverging verb derivational strategies in the youth language Yank\u00e9 (DR Congo). In: C. Groff, A. Hollington, E. Hurst-Harosh, N. Nassenstein, J. Nortier, H. Pasch & N. Yannuar (eds.): Global perspectives on youth language practices<\/em>. 49-66. Berlin\/Boston: De Gruyter. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/9781501514685-004<\/a> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Other <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
forthcoming. (with Helma Pasch): The study of language and culture in Central Africa. In: H. Nesi & P. Milin (eds.): International Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics (3rd Edition)<\/em>. Elsevier. <\/td><\/tr>
2025. Lexical data of Mbum language (Adamawa, Cameroon) in FLEx format [Data set]. Zenodo. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.15020329<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. Book review: Meeuwis, Michael (2020): A grammatical overview of Ling\u00e1la. Afrikanistik \u00c4gyptologie online.<\/em> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18716\/ojs\/aaeo\/2022_3485<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. Japanische Familiennamen<\/em>. [\u2018Japanese family names\u2019]. In: Digital Dictionary of Surnames in Germany (DFD). http:\/\/www.namenforschung.net\/id\/thema\/17\/1<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019. Namenartikel japanischer Familiennamen in Deutschland (Digitales Familiennamenw\u00f6rterbuch Deutschlands):\u00a0https:\/\/www.namenforschung.net\/dfd\/woerterbuch\/liste<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

Janika Kunzmann
Forum universitatis 6
55099 Mainz
E-mail: jakunzma@uni-mainz.de<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordion>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/jgu-base-section>

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Portrait<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Janika Kunzmann studied general, comparative and empirical linguistics as well as ethnology, and attended courses in Japanese and East Asian studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Goethe University Frankfurt, Osaka University, Japan, and Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2023 she is a PhD student in African languages and linguistics (\u201cAfrikanistik\u201d) with Prof. Dr. Nico Nassenstein and is working on a dissertation with the working title \u201cA grammar of Mbum, an Adamawa language of Cameroon\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is interested in language description and documentation, language contact and variation, phonology, and topics from the field of anthropological linguistics. She is interested in Adamawa and Bantu languages, but also in Japanese. Her regional focus includes Cameroon, DR Congo and Japan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Since 2025
<\/strong>Research associate at Ghent University, Belgium<\/td><\/tr>
Since 2023
<\/strong>Doctoral candidate in African languages and linguistics at JGU Mainz, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2021
<\/strong>Study abroad at Osaka University (Graduate School of Letters), Japan <\/td><\/tr>
2019-2022
<\/strong>Master of Arts in Empirical linguistics at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2019-2023
<\/strong>Explored coursework in the Master of Arts Modern East Asian studies at Goethe University Frankfurt<\/td><\/tr>
2017
<\/strong>Study abroad at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, South Africa <\/td><\/tr>
2016-2018
<\/strong>Japanese studies at JGU Mainz, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2016-2019
<\/strong>Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at JGU Mainz, Germany <\/td><\/tr>
2014-2019
<\/strong>Bachelor of Arts in Ethnology at JGU Mainz, Germany<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Publications at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial work<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2025.\u00a0(with Nico Nassenstein): Lingala: Current topics \/ Sujets d\u2019actualit\u00e9.\u00a0 Mainzer Beitr\u00e4ge zur Afrikaforschung 47. Cologne: K\u00f6ppe.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Articles in journals and anthologies (peer-reviewed)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2026.\u00a0Contact-induced change on the Adamawa Plateau: Mbum in contact with Fulfulde. In: Daisuke Shinagawa (ed.):\u00a0Describing linguistic dynamism in Africa<\/em>. Tokyo: Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa.<\/td><\/tr>
2025. (with Nico Nassenstein): Bringing research perspectives together in the study of Lingala: A synopsis.\u00a0In: Nico Nassenstein & Janika Kunzmann (eds.):\u00a0Lingala: Current Topics \/ Sujets d\u2019actualit\u00e9<\/em>. Mainzer Beitr\u00e4ge zur Afrikaforschung 47.\u00a0Cologne: K\u00f6ppe, 15-36.<\/td><\/tr>
2025. Passive and functionally equivalent constructions in the contact language Lingala.\u00a0In: Nico Nassenstein & Janika Kunzmann (eds.):\u00a0Lingala: Current Topics \/ Sujets d\u2019actualit\u00e9<\/em>. Mainzer Beitr\u00e4ge zur Afrikaforschung 47.\u00a0Cologne: K\u00f6ppe, 151-170.<\/td><\/tr>
2024. Theoretical considerations on linguistic innovation through new combination in African youth language practices: Exemplified in Yank\u00e9 and Langila (DR Congo). Linguistics Vanguard<\/em>. De Gruyter. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/lingvan-2022-0146<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. (with Klaus Beyer): Retracing labial-velar consonants in Mbum (Adamawa): Between genetic transmission and language contact. Africa and Overseas<\/em> 95. 26-48. https:\/\/journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de\/hup1\/afrikaunduebersee\/article\/view\/270<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. Diverging verb derivational strategies in the youth language Yank\u00e9 (DR Congo). In: C. Groff, A. Hollington, E. Hurst-Harosh, N. Nassenstein, J. Nortier, H. Pasch & N. Yannuar (eds.): Global perspectives on youth language practices<\/em>. 49-66. Berlin\/Boston: De Gruyter. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/9781501514685-004<\/a> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Other <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
forthcoming. (with Helma Pasch): The study of language and culture in Central Africa. In: H. Nesi & P. Milin (eds.): International Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics (3rd Edition)<\/em>. Elsevier. <\/td><\/tr>
2025. Lexical data of Mbum language (Adamawa, Cameroon) in FLEx format [Data set]. Zenodo. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.15020329<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. Book review: Meeuwis, Michael (2020): A grammatical overview of Ling\u00e1la. Afrikanistik \u00c4gyptologie online.<\/em> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18716\/ojs\/aaeo\/2022_3485<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2022. Japanische Familiennamen<\/em>. [\u2018Japanese family names\u2019]. In: Digital Dictionary of Surnames in Germany (DFD). http:\/\/www.namenforschung.net\/id\/thema\/17\/1<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019. Namenartikel japanischer Familiennamen in Deutschland (Digitales Familiennamenw\u00f6rterbuch Deutschlands):\u00a0https:\/\/www.namenforschung.net\/dfd\/woerterbuch\/liste<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Janika Kunzmann
Forum universitatis 6
55099 Mainz
E-mail: jakunzma@uni-mainz.de<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/852"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23680"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27394,"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23680\/revisions\/27394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ifeas.uni-mainz.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}