Peter Harder (academic)

Peter Harder is a Danish professor of Linguistics at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in functional linguistics and cognitive grammar. He is known for his work on the theoretical foundations of functional grammar, particularly his contributions to the development of Role and Reference Grammar and his integration of insights from cognitive linguistics.

Harder's research explores the relationship between language, cognition, and social interaction. He has investigated topics such as the grammatical expression of subjectivity, the role of viewpoint and perspective in language use, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying linguistic meaning construction. He has also written extensively on the nature of linguistic theory and the methodological challenges involved in studying language empirically.

His key publications include Functional Semantics: A Theory of Meaning, Structure and Cognition (2010), which outlines his integrated functional-cognitive approach to semantics, and numerous articles in leading linguistics journals. He has also contributed significantly to the development of educational materials for linguistics students. Harder has played a significant role in shaping the field of functional linguistics in Scandinavia and internationally. His work is influential for researchers interested in understanding language as a dynamic and cognitive system.