Dr Conny Opitz

MA, PhD

Research

The main focus of my research is the multilingual development (acquisition, attrition, re-learning and maintenance) of various populations of adult learners and users from the perspective of complex dynamic systems theory (CDST). I have also built up considerable expertise in research design and data analysis as a co-investigator on an ESRC-funded international collaboration on language attrition.

My recent projects have focussed on the L2 writing development of ab initio learners of Russian in a longitudinal corpus of student productions, the language learning journey of year-abroad students and on multilingual identity development, which have received funding from Cardiff University and Trinity College Dublin, respectively. I am currently planning to explore language proficiency and identity interactions further.

Publications

Theses

Opitz, C. (2011). First Language Attrition and Second Language Acquisition in a Second Language Environment. Unpublished PhD thesis. Trinity College Dublin.

Opitz, C. (1998). Anticipated and Actual Problems when Translating into L2 German. A Process-Oriented Study. [Antizipierte und tatsächliche Probleme beim Übersetzen in die Fremdsprache Deutsch. Eine prozeßorientierte Studie.] Unpublished Diplomarbeit (~ MA thesis). Leipzig University.

books/Edited Volumes

Opitz, C., Lubińska, D., & de Leeuw, E. (Eds.). (2013). Dynamics of First Language Attrition across the Lifespan. Special Issue. International Journal of Bilingualism, 17(6).

Smyth, S., & Opitz, C. (Eds.). (2013). Negotiating Linguistic, Cultural and Social Identities in the Russian World. Bern: Peter Lang.

Robinson, N., & Opitz, C. (Eds.). (2012). Irish Slavonic Studies, 24.

Peer Reviewed Journal articles and book chapters

Opitz, C. (2019). Chapter 6. A Complex Dynamic Systems perspective on personal background variables in L1 attrition. In M. S. Schmid & B. Köpke (Eds.). Handbook of Language Attrition, 49–60. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Opitz. C. (2017). Language destabilization and (re-) learning from a Complexity Theory perspective: Timescales and patterns across four studies. In L. Ortega & Z. Han (Eds.), Complexity Theory and language development: In celebration of Diane Larsen-Freeman, 163–189. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

Opitz, C. (2016). Little to Lose and Everything to Gain: L1 Maintenance and L2 Attainment in Long-Term Migrants. CALL: Irish Journal for Culture, Arts, Literature and Language, 1(01), Article 5. doi:10.21427/D7BC7R. Available at: http://arrow.dit.ie/priamls/vol1/iss1/5

Opitz, C. (2013). A Dynamic Perspective on Late Bilinguals' Linguistic Development in an L2 Environment. International Journal of Bilingualism, Special Issue "Dynamics of First Language Attrition across the Lifespan". 17(6), 701–715.

de Leeuw, E., Lubińska, D., & Opitz, C. (2013). Introduction. International Journal of Bilingualism, Special Issue "Dynamics of First Language Attrition across the Lifespan". 17(6), 667–674.

Opitz, C. (2010). L1 Attrition and L2 Acquisition: Global Language Proficiency and Language Dominance in Adult Bilinguals. Eurosla Yearbook, 10, 248–281.

Smyth, S., & Opitz, C. (2006). Peer-Learning in the Language Departments at Trinity College Dublin. In S. Moore, P. Carr, M. Crehan, J. Crowley, D. Flynn, P. Morgan & P. Shannon (Eds.), Keeping Students at University: The Retention Debate at Third Level, 89–101. Dublin: Interesource Group Publishing.

Opitz, C. (2005). L1 Attrition in Adult Bilinguals in the Context of L2 Acquisition. International Journal of Bilingualism, 8(3), 395–398.

Opitz, C. (2004). The Potential Contribution of Process-Oriented Research to Translation Teaching. [Zum Aufschlusswert prozesswissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen für die Übersetzungsdidaktik.] In E. Fleischmann, P. A. Schmitt & G. Wotjak (Eds.), Translationskompetenz. Tagungsberichte der LICTRA (Leipzig International Conference on Translation Studies) 4.-6.10.2001, 659–677. Tübingen: Stauffenberg.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Batardière, M. T., Brindley, A., Brogan, K., Carr, F., Devitt, A., Flanagan, T., Furlong, A., Geraghty, B., Kenny, M. A., Kirwan, D., Matys, A., Nestor, N., Nocchi, S., Opitz, C., Rantz. F., Ruane, M., Schönfeld, C., Smyth, S., Spencer, S., Walsh, R. (2014). OVFL Submission to DES Consultation on a Foreign Languages in Education Strategy. Available from http://www.onevoiceforlanguages.com/ovfl-submissions.html

Opitz, C., & Smyth, S. (2010). Developing Students’ Language Proficiency through Self-directed Collaborative Learning. AATSEEL Newsletter, 53(2), 14–15.

Kenny, D., with C. Opitz. (2000). Researching the Translation Process. Translation Ireland, 2, 1–2.

Opitz, C. (2000). Product and Process Compared: An Empirical Study. Translation Ireland, 2, 7–9.

Opitz, C. (1998–2001). Annual contributions in the form of book reviews to L. Bowker, D. Kenny & J. Pearson (eds.) Bibliography of Translation Studies, Manchester: St. Jerome (items are not identified by their authors).

selected conference Presentations

Invited presentations

Opitz, C. (2024). Focus on Form in the Language Classroom. Masterclass for MFL teachers in St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College, 22 May 2024.

Opitz, C. (2015). Learner Language Destabilization and Relearning: Complex Patterns? Paper presented at AAAL, Toronto, 21–24 March 2015. Colloquium in honour of Diane Larsen Freeman, Complexity Theory in SLA: Staking out the Territory.

Opitz. C. (2014). Language Attrition Crash Course. Invited lecture, MEd. programme, Department of Education, TCD, 31 March 2014.

Opitz, C. (2014). ‘What Language Do You Think in?’ Adult Bilinguals’ Language Repertoires after a Long Period Abroad. IRAAL public lecture, 12 March 2014.

Opitz, C. (2008). Language Attrition – Sprachverlust. Paper presented at the Fachsprachenzentrum, Hanover University, 28 March 2008.

Other presentations

Opitz, C. (2017). Bi-/multilingual identities: A German-Irish perspective. Paper presented at ISB11, “Bilingualism, Multilingualism and the New Speaker”, University of Limerick, 11–15 June 2017

Opitz, C. (2016). Attrition profiles. What CDST can and can’t tell us about attrition. Paper presented at the 3rd ICLA, Colchester, 5–7 July 2016.

Opitz, C., & Smyth, S. (2016). Ab initio language learning and the summer break. Poster presented at the 3rd ICLA, Colchester, 5–7 July 2016.

Opitz, C., & Smyth, S. (2014). “Dear diary”: L2 Proficiency Development through Diary Writing. Paper presented at the 17^th AILA World Congress, Brisbane, 10–15 August 2014.

Opitz, C. (2013). Dynamics of L2 Development in an ab initio Learner of Russian. Paper presented at EUROSLA 23, Amsterdam, 28–31 August 2013.

Opitz, C. (2013). Authentic Language in ab initio Language Learning. Paper presented at the European Conference on Multilingualism in Education. 5^th AILA-Europe Junior Researcher Meeting in Applied Linguistics, Dublin, 18–20 June 2013.

Opitz, C. (2012). Change and Stability in Adult L1 and L2 Development: A Longitudinal Pilot Case Study. Paper presented at the EUROSLA 22, Poznań, 5–8 September 2012.

Opitz, C. (2011). The Impact of Long-term Residence Abroad on the L1 and L2 Proficiency of Adult Bilinguals. Paper presented at the Royal Irish Academy Modern Languages Symposium 2011, "Language, Migration and Diaspora", Dublin, 2–3 Dec 2011.

Opitz, C. (2011). A Dynamic Perspective on Late Bilinguals’ Linguistic Development in an L2 Environment. Paper presented at ISB8, Oslo, 15–18 June 2011.

Opitz, C. (2009). The Role of Linguistic Aptitude and Language Use for Adult L2 Acquisition and L1 Attrition. Paper presented at ISB7, Utrecht, 08–11 July 2009.

Opitz, C. (2008). L1 Attrition in Adult Bilinguals: The Impact of L2 Proficiency, Language Use and Linguistic Aptitude. Paper presented at 15^th AILA World Congress, Essen, 25–29 August 2008.

Opitz, C. (2007). Measures of L1 Attrition: Global Language Proficiency and Language Dominance in Adult Bilinguals. Paper presented at Eurosla 17, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 11–14-September-2007.

Opitz, C. (2006). L1 Attrition and L2 Acquisition: Down to Brass Tacks. Paper presented at the Graduate Workshop on First Language Attrition, Amsterdam, 13–17 January 2006.

Opitz, C. (2005). Trade-offs between Language Proficiencies as a Cause of L1 Attrition? Paper presented at ICFLA2, Amsterdam, 17–20 August 2005.

Murphy, B., Vogel, C., & Opitz, C. (2005). Cross-linguistic Empirical Analysis of Constraints on Passive. Paper presented at the Symposium on Interdisciplinary Themes in Cognitive Language Research, Helsinki, November 2005.

Opitz, C. (2004). Foreign-Language Competence and First-Language Attrition in Migration Contexts. [Fremdsprachliche Kompetenz und Muttersprachverlust in Migrationskontexten.] Paper presented at GAL, Wuppertal, 23–25 September 2004.

Opitz, C. (2003). C-Tests in L1 Research. Paper presented at the Graduate Workshop on First Language Attrition, Amsterdam, 15 December 2003.

Opitz, C. (2002). "Ну погоди!" Musical Allusion and Comic Effect. Paper presented at the IARCEES Annual Conference, Dublin.

Opitz, C. (2001). Think-aloud Research in Translation: A Survey of Introspective Research. Paper presented at SALIS, Dublin City University.

Opitz, C. (2001). The Potential Contribution of Process-Oriented Research to Translation Teaching. [Zum Aufschlusswert prozesswissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen für die Übersetzungsdidaktik.] Paper presented at LICTRA (Leipzig International Conference on Translation Studies), 4–6 October 2001.

Opitz, C. (2000). Think-aloud Research in Translation and Interpreting: The Story so Far. Paper presented at the Irish Translators' and Interpreters' Association.

Opitz, C. (1999). Anticipated and Actual Translation Problems, Or: Thinking Aloud for the Translation Classroom? Paper presented at the Conference on Translation and Language Teaching, University College Cork.

Teaching

Current and recent modules:

ML7188 Advanced German Language

ML7251 Ex-Advanced German Language

ML2361 English-German Tandem (module coordinator)

Contribution to ML1363 Student Teaching Module

ML7099, ML7097, ML7094, ML7093 German Year-Abroad Modules

MLT401 Scientific Translation

Selected past modules:

I developed a year-long linguistics module for the MPhil in Literary Translation at Trinity College Dublin (2012-2015).

I also developed and taught a year-long module on translating German scientific texts for the MA in Translation at Dublin City University (1997-1999) and have more recently contributed to the MA in Translation Studies at Cardiff University.

Biography

I am a native German speaker with near-native proficiency in English and Russian. Having studied translation and interpreting with German and Russian at Leipzig University, I earned my PhD in Applied Linguistics on the L1 attrition and L2 acquisition of adult migrants from Trinity College Dublin. I have 30 years of experience teaching German and Russian at Irish and British universities.

I moved to Cardiff in 2018 to take up my current post. Previously, I had been East German Lektor at Dublin City University and Thomas Brown Lecturer/Adjunct Assistant Professor in Russian at Trinity College Dublin. Over the years, I have developed, delivered, and evaluated undergraduate and postgraduate courses in German and Russian language, translation and culture, as well as linguistics and foreign language pedagogy.

My research has focused on multilingual development, drawing on complex dynamic systems theory (CDST) and corpus-based methods. I was co-investigator on an ESRC-funded language attrition network and recently received funding for learner language projects. My academic work is complemented by my practical experience as a translator, interpreter, and language consultant.