Jonathan Choti

Biography

B.A. English Language, Linguistics, Swahili, M.A. English Language & Linguistics, Egerton University, Kenya

Ph.D. Linguistics (2015), Michigan State University

Jonathan Choti is an Assistant Professor of African Languages and Cultures. He teaches Swahili and a course in the Center for Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities (CISAH) that focuses on African cultures, languages, and literature. He is also the faculty leader of a 6-week summer education broad program known as Sustainable Community Development in Tanzania. He is a member of a number of professional bodies, e.g. the Association of Contemporary African Linguistics (ACAL), the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages (NCOLCTL), African Language Teachers’ Association (ALTA), Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA), and Chama cha Ukuzaji wa Kiswahili Duniani (Chaukidu). Choti’s research interests focus on the phonology and morphology of Bantu languages, Swahili, the pedagogy of minority languages, and language documentation. He is the 2019 recipient of the Mid-Michigan Spartans Quality in Teaching Award, co-recipient of the 2020 Excellence Award in Interdisciplinary Scholarship, recipient of the 2020-2021 Lilly Fellowship, and the 2020 Summer Hub Faculty Fellowship Program.