CDU scholar wins national award for groundbreaking research into linguistics
A Charles Darwin University (CDU) researcher has been awarded a prestigious prize in linguistics, recognising leading research into how language is used to incite violence and polarisation.
CDU Senior Lecturer in Linguistics Dr Awni Etaywe was awarded the M.A.K. Halliday Prize for Outstanding Research in Applied Linguistics by the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia for his article, Relational dynamics in violent extremist incitement communication: Language as bonds, obligations, and a catalyst for polarisation.
The article was co-authored with Professor Howard Giles and published in the journal Discourse & Communication.
The study sheds new light on how extremist groups use language not just to communicate ideas, but to build powerful emotional and moral connections that can draw people toward violence.
The research shows that extremist messages work by creating a sense of belonging, obligation, and shared identity. These messages often frame violence as a moral duty, something necessary to protect a group or uphold its values.
“Language is not neutral,” Dr Etaywe said.
“It can be used to build communities – but it can also be used to divide, manipulate, and mobilise people toward harm.”
Dr Etaywe said the research had important implications for countering violent extremism, both online and offline.
“This research helps us move from simply reacting to extremism to actively preventing it,” Dr Etaywe said.
“If we understand how language pulls people in, we can design communication that pulls them away from violence.”
This recognition highlights CDU’s growing national reputation in applied linguistics, forensic linguistics, and research addressing global challenges.
This was reinforced by the award reviewers, who praised the research’s impact and innovation.
“An outstanding contribution revealing the power linguistics can have when applied to troubling problems of our times,” one reviewer said.
Another highlighted its broader importance: “Such an important study with critical insights for us to make sense of what has been going on in this world and find ways to identify possible solutions.”