Prof TR Carney

Qualifications

• BA (UP, 2002)
• HonsBA (UP, 2003)
• PGCE (Unisa, 2005)
• MA (UP, 2007)
• PhD (UFS, 2015)
• TESOL (Wits, 2019)

NRF Rating

Currently teaching

• AFK2602
• LPAFRT8

Fields of academic interests

• Forensic linguistics
• Language and law
• Sociolinguistics

Field of Specialisation

• Semantics
• Pragmatics

Books

• Carney, TR. 2023. Linguistics for legal interpretation. Johannesburg: UJ Press. DOI.

Accredited chapters:

• Carney, TR. 2019. Sign language and hate speech: The potential pitfalls of iconic signs. In Ralarala, MK, Kaschula, RH and Heydon, G (eds), New Frontiers in Forensic Linguistics. Themes and Perspectives in Language and Law in Africa and beyond. Stellenbosch: African Sun Media: 279-300.

Journal articles

Accredited articles

• Carney, TR. 2025. Forfeiture to the state: Using Grammar to interpret section 35 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 28 (2025).
• Carney, TR. 2024. Pre-legislative scrutiny during the drafting process: A case for linguistic auditing. Journal for Juridical Science, 49(2).
• Van Zyl, SP and Carney, TR. 2024. The taxpayer’s right to just administrative action and access to information: Empowering the taxpayer through plain language standards. Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg, 87(4).
• Carney, TR. 2024. Opmerkings oor die woord poes as gekwalifiseerde belediging in ʼn interdikoortreding. S v Lewis (54/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 59 (HH). LitNet Akademies (Regte), 21(2):502-515.
• Carney, TR; Grundlingh, L and Knobel, JC. 2023. The use of linguistics to determine meaning in cases of personality infringement. Stellenbosch Law Review, 34(1):3-26.
• Carney, TR. 2023. Drafting definitions with polysemy and semantic change in mind. Obiter, 44(3):561-574.
• Carney, TR. 2023. Language resources as allowable extrinsic information: The need for clearer guidelines in the Interpretation Act 33 of 1957. Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg, 86(1): 88-96.
• Carney, TR. 2022. Sintaktiese uitleg van die BTW-wet bepaal wanneer goud teen die nulkoers verkoop mag word. ’n Besinning van ’n positiewe taalkundige benadering. Lueven Metals (Pty) Ltd v CSARS [2022] ZAGPPHC 325 (HH). LitNet Akademies (Regte), 19(3): 834-846.
• Carney, TR. 2021. Understanding one’s rights when arrested and detained: An assessment of language barriers that affect comprehension. South African Journal of Criminal Justice, 34(1): 1-30.
• Van Zyl, SP and Carney, TR. 2021. Just how voluntary is ‘voluntary’ for purpose of a voluntary disclosure application in terms of Section 226 of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011? Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg, 84(1): 95-110.
• Carney, TR. 2020. A legal fallacy? Testing the ordinariness of ‘ordinary meaning’. South African Law Journal, 137(2): 269-304.
• Carney, TR and Mollema, N. 2019. A call to revise Section 8(2)(e) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include crisis risk communication. Industrial Law Journal, 40: 1441-1456.
• Carney, TR. 2018. Disposing of bodies, semantically: notes on the meaning of ‘disposal’ in S v Molefe. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 21(2018): 1-20.
• Van Zyl, SP and Carney, TR. 2018. A cry for certainty as to the application of ‘accrued to’ for purposes of section 1 of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962. Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg81(3): 484-497.
• Carney, TR. 2016. Using frames to determine ordinary meaning in court cases: the case of ‘plant’ and ‘vermin’. Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics, 45: 31-48.
• Carney, TR. and Bergh, L. 2016. Using prototype theory to determine ordinary meaning of words. Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg, 79(3): 486-494.
• Carney, TR. and Bergh, L. 2014. ʼn Taalkundige perspektief op woordeboekgebruik in die hof: die woordeboek as toevlugsoord. LitNet Akademies(Regte), 11(2): 23-64.
• Carney, TR. 2014. Being (im)polite: A forensic linguistic approach to interpreting a hate speech case. Language Matters, 45(3): 325-341.
• Carney, TR. 2013. ‘Het doet emmer toverie’: ʼn Forensiese ondersoek na die (on)waarskynlikheid van nekromansie in Die Hexe. Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, 50(3): 24-38.
• Carney, TR. 2012. ʼn Forensies-semantiese beskouing van die woordgebruik ‘onkoste’ in die hofsaak Commissioner for South African Revenue Service vs. Labat Africa Limited. Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 30(4): 487-496.
• Carney, TR. and Lombard, E. 2011. Die wenslikheid van Afrikaans as vaktaal vir regstudente. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 14(1): 164-187.
• Carney, TR. 2010. Gay- en queer-kodes in geanimeerde films. LitNet Akademies (Geesteswetenskappe), 7(1): 99-115.
• Carney, TR. 2008. ʼn Middelnederlandse teks vir die moderne Afrikaansklaskamer. LitNet Akademies (Geesteswetenskappe), 5(3): 126-135.

Non-accredited contributions

• Carney, TR. 2025. Wat sê die Grondwet nou eintlik? Aantekeninge oor grondwetlike taalregte en hul beperkinge. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 65(1).
• Carney, TR. 2024. Writing to be read, or how to achieve more through less. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 28(2024).
• Carney, TR. 2024. Die man wattie kinnes vang: Book review. Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, 61(2).
• Carney, T. 2018. The homebrew as an act of love (or manipulation). On Tap, Winter edition.
• Carney, TR. 2012. Op soek na die gay jeugroman in Afrikaans. Guillotine, 1(1):15-16.

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

• International Association of Forensic and Legal Linguistics (IAFLL)
• Southern African Applied Linguistics Association (SAALA)
• Associate Editor, Language Matters

Projects

• Inmate Email Project

Other

• Carney, T. 2018. The homebrew as an act of love (or manipulation). On Tap, Winter edition.
• Carney, TR. 2012. Op soek na die gay jeugroman in Afrikaans. Guillotine, 1(1):15-16.