A fast comparative method for historical linguistics. Linguists are able to infer ancient histories of languages by a procedure known as the Comparative Method. Its results are used in related studies of human genetic and cultural change. However, the Comparative Method is a manual-only process and thus currently is a bottleneck for the science of unravelling the human past. This project aims to overcome this limitation and significantly accelerate linguistic discovery, by combining recent advan ....A fast comparative method for historical linguistics. Linguists are able to infer ancient histories of languages by a procedure known as the Comparative Method. Its results are used in related studies of human genetic and cultural change. However, the Comparative Method is a manual-only process and thus currently is a bottleneck for the science of unravelling the human past. This project aims to overcome this limitation and significantly accelerate linguistic discovery, by combining recent advances in computational language processing, statistics and cultural-evolutionary modelling. By producing innovative mathematical means for rapidly discovering ancient language relationships, it will enable a breakthrough in our capacity to uncover human linguistic, genetic and cultural heritage worldwide.Read moreRead less
Something old, something new: Indigenous languages since colonisation. This project aims to undertake an extensive survey of colonial language change in Australia. English has changed the linguistic landscape of Indigenous Australia profoundly. Of the 300 languages spoken at first contact, only 18 remain strong. In their place is a complex array of restructured varieties, Kriol dialects and fusions of traditional languages with English. The project aims to develop new methodologies for investiga ....Something old, something new: Indigenous languages since colonisation. This project aims to undertake an extensive survey of colonial language change in Australia. English has changed the linguistic landscape of Indigenous Australia profoundly. Of the 300 languages spoken at first contact, only 18 remain strong. In their place is a complex array of restructured varieties, Kriol dialects and fusions of traditional languages with English. The project aims to develop new methodologies for investigating and predicting the mechanisms of change across languages and generations of speakers. The expected outcomes of the project include recognising new ways of speaking and providing Indigenous communities with guiding principles for language revitalisation. This will place Australia at the forefront of studies of language change.Read moreRead less
Understanding collaboration between the arts and sciences. This project aims to undertake a detailed examination of how the arts and sciences can work together to address the complex challenges of contemporary life. This will be addressed by undertaking the first cultural history of the experiment. Experimentation is common to the arts and sciences, and thinking about the long history of experimental practices in both fields will help build a bridge between them. This project will examine in de ....Understanding collaboration between the arts and sciences. This project aims to undertake a detailed examination of how the arts and sciences can work together to address the complex challenges of contemporary life. This will be addressed by undertaking the first cultural history of the experiment. Experimentation is common to the arts and sciences, and thinking about the long history of experimental practices in both fields will help build a bridge between them. This project will examine in detail past and present collaboration. An expected outcome is the development of models to support solving of complex contemporary problems. It will also raise awareness about the importance of the arts to knowledge-making practices.Read moreRead less
Transcending language barriers to environmental sciences. This project aims to enhance the global flow of scientific knowledge for biodiversity conservation by tackling the impediment of language barriers. The project draws from literature reviews, modelling and global surveys to shed light on details of biodiversity science published in non-English languages, and how language impedes the use of biodiversity science in decision-making. The project will produce a database and search system for no ....Transcending language barriers to environmental sciences. This project aims to enhance the global flow of scientific knowledge for biodiversity conservation by tackling the impediment of language barriers. The project draws from literature reviews, modelling and global surveys to shed light on details of biodiversity science published in non-English languages, and how language impedes the use of biodiversity science in decision-making. The project will produce a database and search system for non-English conservation studies and recognise the importance of translations to better inform policies and practices. This will benefit national and international environmental sciences and policies by increasing knowledge available for synthesis and facilitating science-led conservation.
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Making social cohesion ecocentric through Indigenous language and song . This project expects to develop Indigenous language and song in ways that reframe and Indigenise social cohesion, expanding it from a human-centric policy goal to include connections with everything in Country. Designing and implementing an unprecedented and sustained program of Noongar language and song revitalisation in the south of Western Australia across community, schools, and the performing arts, it should advance th ....Making social cohesion ecocentric through Indigenous language and song . This project expects to develop Indigenous language and song in ways that reframe and Indigenise social cohesion, expanding it from a human-centric policy goal to include connections with everything in Country. Designing and implementing an unprecedented and sustained program of Noongar language and song revitalisation in the south of Western Australia across community, schools, and the performing arts, it should advance the potential for Indigenous expressive culture to nourish reciprocal social and ecological relationships that are adaptable to environmental change. Emerging from a hotspot for biodiversity and global warming, it intends to explore how Indigenous creative responses can focus and spur action on pressing global challenges.
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