Acknowledgements

I owe a very large debt to a number of mentors and colleagues who have been hugely generous in their feedback and support from inception to completion of this book: Professor Nicola McLelland and Dr Olivia Walsh whose encouragement has been unwavering and without whom I would not have had the courage to start this process, much less have reached this stage; Professor Wendy Ayres-Bennett who examined the beginnings of this work in its thesis form and has been a constant form of support and advice ever since; and Professor Janice Carruthers, whose encouragement and mentorship have allowed me to develop as a researcher. Beyond their invaluable support, the work of these four formidable researchers has been a huge source of inspiration.

I must also thank Professor Mairi McLaughlin and Professor Doug Kibbee who have graciously shared their knowledge and time with me. And to former University of Nottingham colleagues Dr Polly McMichael and Dr Pierre-Alexis Mével for their support during my time as a postgraduate researcher.

Thank you to the two anonymous reviewers of this monograph. The finished work is far improved thanks to your advice and the time you dedicated to your reviews. Thank you too to friend and colleague Dr Melanie Bhend for her knowledgeable eye over this book’s translations and to the team at John Benjamins, particularly Isja, who smoothly and patiently guided me through the publication of this book. Any remaining errors and omissions, of course, are my own.

I am very lucky to be similarly well supported and nourished in my personal life. To friends, near and far, old and new, thank you. And finally, thank you to Mark. I would be a husk of a person without you.