Knowledge transfer

In this Jean Monnet Chair (2019-2022), I facilitated knowledge transfer on Europeanism as an emotion and the European Union as an emotional community, examining how shared feelings and identities underpin European integration. Through activities held during 2020–2023, I sought to share insights on how emotional bonds, alongside cultural and linguistic diversity, contribute to fostering cohesion and unity across Europe. These activities highlighted the role of shared emotions in cultivating a sense of belonging and solidarity within the EU. It envisioned Europe as a multilingual and multicultural emotional community, where connections are deepened by common values and a shared vision for the future.

In this Jean Monet module (2015-2018), I used my expertise in linguistics to foster cross-cultural understanding and effective communication in the EU. This initiative aimed to promote language learning as a tool for bridging cultural divides, enhancing social cohesion, and supporting educational equity. By contributing to curriculum design and multilingual resource development, I facilitated the integration of diverse linguistic perspectives, empowering learners to navigate multicultural environments and engage in meaningful dialogue. This work underscored the transformative potential of language education in building inclusive, interconnected communities.

As a cooperator in the CLIL@India project (2016-2019), I contributed to an innovative effort to promote multilingual education in India by integrating local languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Kannada, and Tamil with the aspirational value of English. Through the development of training materials, satellite centers, and an open-access web portal, the project empowered educators to bridge the gap between cultural preservation and global economic opportunities. By adapting the European CLIL methodology to India’s unique linguistic landscape, the initiative played a vital role in strengthening the role of local languages in education while fostering inclusivity and linguistic heritage.

As the leader of the AMICITIAS project (2008-2010), I worked on an innovative initiative that celebrated linguistic and cultural diversity by incorporating minority and endangered languages, such as Irish, Sicilian, and Sardinian, alongside immigrant languages like Hindi and Arabic, into the creation of mobile video games. My role involved collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to design engaging, language-inclusive games that promoted learning and cross-cultural appreciation. This project not only highlighted the value of these languages in digital spaces but also demonstrated the potential of creative technologies to preserve linguistic heritage and empower diverse communities through education and entertainment.

As the leader of the EUROPODIANS project (2006-2008), I had the privilege of guiding a dynamic initiative centered on fostering European identity through multilingualism, cultural exchange, and collaborative learning. My role involved coordinating a big international team (15 countries, 70 members), developing innovative educational materials for EU minority languages (such as Maltese, Estonian, and Danish), and organizing intercultural events that engaged participants across Europe. By promoting linguistic diversity and shared cultural heritage, I aimed to strengthen connections between young Europeans, encouraging them to embrace their multilingual capabilities as a bridge to mutual understanding and cooperation.

As a volunteer with the HateFree project supported by UNHCR, I have applied my expertise on linguistics and emotions to the development of the HateFree tool, designed to counteract hate speech against refugees and promote inclusivity. Drawing on my linguistic and intercultural knowledge, I contributed to refining the tool’s ability to detect and address harmful language effectively, ensuring it serves as a robust resource in fostering empathy and understanding. My involvement aimed to support UNHCR’s mission of advocating for refugee rights and combating discrimination in both digital and social spaces.

I have collaborated with the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha to translate INTERPOL reports on human trafficking in Europe. This knowledge transfer project utilized my linguistic expertise to accurately convey complex legal and law enforcement terminology, bridging global intelligence with local policymaking. The translations enabled regional authorities to design effective strategies addressing these pressing issues, highlighting the critical role of language skills in facilitating informed decision-making and driving societal impact.

This ttranslation of the Yiddish romance Riter Gabein into Spanish brings to life a fascinating medieval narrative that blends the chivalric traditions of Western Europe with the unique cultural and linguistic context of Ashkenazi Jewry. This work, a rare example of Yiddish secular literature from the medieval period, reimagines the adventures of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur’s court, through the lens of Jewish storytelling traditions. By making Riter Gabein accessible to Spanish-speaking readers, this translation not only preserves a literary gem but also highlights the rich cultural exchanges that shaped Jewish and European identities in the Middle Ages.

This is the first Spanish translation of the dramatic and action-packed account of the legendary Jomsvikings—a brotherhood of elite warriors bound by a strict code of honour. In collaboration with Teodoro Manrique-Antón, we have worked to capture the saga’s vivid depictions of fierce battles, political intrigue, and the tensions between loyalty and ambition. This saga, set in a world of shifting alliances and larger-than-life figures, offers unique insights into the Viking Age, blending historical elements with mythic grandeur. Our annotated edition provides the context needed to appreciate its enduring appeal and cultural significance.

This collection of texts narrates the life and legacy of the semi-legendary Viking hero Ragnarr Lodbrok. The volume includes the Saga of Ragnarr—the most comprehensive account of the figure—as well as complementary texts such as the Fragments of a Saga about the Ancient Kings, the List of Swedish Kings, the Tale of Ragnarr’s Sons, and the Sayings of Kráka. Written in a Christianized Scandinavia, these texts retain striking traces of pre-Christian Nordic society, where familial bonds, honor, and the right to vengeance dominated the social structure, unmediated by Church influence. This edition, enriched with annotations and historical context, includes a prologue by Teodoro Manrique-Antón, allowing readers to explore the enduring mythology of Ragnarr Lodbrok and the worldview shaped by ancient Norse myths and values.

This is a revised version of my 1999 translation of this cornerstone of Old Norse literature, a legendary saga that primarily recounts the feats and adventures of Sigurdr—the Sigfrido of Germanic tradition. Composed in the 13th century, centuries after Scandinavia’s conversion to Christianity, the saga provides a rare glimpse into the pre-Christian roots of the legend later immortalized in The Nibelungenlied. This work offers an unfiltered view of the pagan, tribal, and magical culture in which the original oral epic emerged, dating back to the Migration Period of the Germanic peoples. As part of a collection that includes the Edda Minor by Snorri, the Edda Major, Beowulf and Other Anglo-Saxon Poems, and Norse Mythology by Enrique Bernárdez, this saga invites contemporary readers to explore the ancient worldview that shaped one of the most enduring legends of the Germanic world.

The first translation into Spanish of the Orkeyinga saga, this work brings this fascinating narrative of the Orkney Islands’ Viking past to a wider audience. This saga, a blend of history and legend, recounts the exploits, feuds, and alliances of the jarls who ruled the islands, offering a vivid depiction of Norse culture in the North Atlantic during the medieval period. Composed in the 13th century, the saga captures the tensions between the pagan traditions of the Viking Age and the growing influence of Christianity. Through this translation, I aimed to preserve the saga’s rich storytelling and historical value, providing readers with access to one of the most compelling accounts of the Norse world’s expansion and its enduring impact on the Orkneys.

The first translation into Spanish of the Völsunga saga, an essential reading that chronicles the legendary exploits of Sigurdr and provides unparalleled insight into the values, beliefs, and mythology of pre-Christian Norse society. Written in the 13th century but rooted in much older oral traditions, the saga serves as a bridge between historical memory and mythic storytelling. This translation aims to make this timeless tale accessible to modern audiences, inviting them to explore the cultural imagination of medieval Scandinavia.