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Poster Short Abstract

While often seen in the periphery, language (research) belongs at the core of citizen science. Drawing on diverse projects at this juncture, we show how language may function as object, barrier, catalyst, and method, with unique potential to foster interest and engagement in science.

Poster Abstract

Citizen humanities—and more specifically citizen linguistics—are often seen at the periphery of citizen science. We bring them to the center of consideration. Language permeates our everyday lives and citizen science projects. It is inherently intertwined with communication, identity, and societal processes. It is for a reason, the term “citizen science” itself is debated—because language matters, and language always carries meaning. As language is inherently social, there is indeed a long history of participation in linguistics.

We highlight the various roles language may play in citizen science—as the object of investigation (e.g., dialects), as a barrier (e.g., different language [styles]) or as a catalyst (e.g., as a fascinating topic, as a means to build relationships), and as a methodological approach (e.g., transcriptions). We will provide insights into the multifaceted nature of projects situated at the intersection of language research and citizen science, based on a conference we hosted on this theme in Mannheim, Germany, in 2025, encompassing over 20 projects from German-speaking areas. They covered topics ranging from linguistic diversity over mental health to artificial intelligence, and involved participants across diverse age groups. The breadth of projects illustrates that language is a tangible and relatable domain, offering various opportunities and synergies for and with citizen science. We maintain that language and language research belong to the very core of citizen science, holding unique potential to foster inclusivity and interest in science.