Ethnopragmatics: A fresh approach to studying discourse practices in cultural context. Thhis project applies an innovative and rigorous linguistic framework to the study of culturally-shaped ways of speaking, using case studies of Malay, Australian English, and several other languages. Cultural differences in ways of speaking - e.g. a tolerance of sarcasm, a preference for subtlety or for directness or for hyperbole - run deep and cause much intercultural misunderstanding. They are usually deepl ....Ethnopragmatics: A fresh approach to studying discourse practices in cultural context. Thhis project applies an innovative and rigorous linguistic framework to the study of culturally-shaped ways of speaking, using case studies of Malay, Australian English, and several other languages. Cultural differences in ways of speaking - e.g. a tolerance of sarcasm, a preference for subtlety or for directness or for hyperbole - run deep and cause much intercultural misunderstanding. They are usually deeply rooted in societal atitudes and cultural assumptions. The findings will have important implications for intercultural communication (both within a multicultural Australia, and in trade and international relations) and for the teaching of languages in cultural context.Read moreRead less
Exploring the nature of lexical representation. In order to comprehend and produce the words that we know, whether in speech or in writing, we must possess mental representations of each of those words (i.e., "lexical" representations). The aim of the proposed research is to elaborate on the nature of these representations in an attempt to understand more fully the cognitive mechanisms involved in proficient language use. The central idea to be explored is that underlying all lexical functioning ....Exploring the nature of lexical representation. In order to comprehend and produce the words that we know, whether in speech or in writing, we must possess mental representations of each of those words (i.e., "lexical" representations). The aim of the proposed research is to elaborate on the nature of these representations in an attempt to understand more fully the cognitive mechanisms involved in proficient language use. The central idea to be explored is that underlying all lexical functioning is an abstract phonological representation that is influenced by orthography. Furthermore, the possibility will be examined that poorer readers possess less abstract representations than do better readers.Read moreRead less
Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM): formalisation, computation, referential semantics. Meaning is what links language with culture, communication and cognition but strangely enough, most linguists do not regard semantics (the systematic study of meaning) as a central part of their discipline. This project pursues basic research in the leading meaning-based theory of language: the natural semantic metalanguage (NSM) theory, which has been originated and developed primarily in Australia. It aims ....Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM): formalisation, computation, referential semantics. Meaning is what links language with culture, communication and cognition but strangely enough, most linguists do not regard semantics (the systematic study of meaning) as a central part of their discipline. This project pursues basic research in the leading meaning-based theory of language: the natural semantic metalanguage (NSM) theory, which has been originated and developed primarily in Australia. It aims to make this theory more precise, to work out how it can be used by computers, and to connect it with other, more mathematically inspired approaches to meaning.Read moreRead less
The meaning of 'OR' in logic and in human languages. This project investigates the role of logic in three typologically different languages: English, Japanese and Chinese. One national benefit will be in promoting intercultural awareness by establishing that human languages share 'core' logical properties. As Aboriginal poet Bill Neidjie (2005) put it: 'Language is different, like skin. Skin can be different, but blood same.' Understanding how human languages are logical will add new dimensions ....The meaning of 'OR' in logic and in human languages. This project investigates the role of logic in three typologically different languages: English, Japanese and Chinese. One national benefit will be in promoting intercultural awareness by establishing that human languages share 'core' logical properties. As Aboriginal poet Bill Neidjie (2005) put it: 'Language is different, like skin. Skin can be different, but blood same.' Understanding how human languages are logical will add new dimensions to research in Linguistics, Philosophy and Psychology. Another benefit is in the assessment of patient populations with impaired pragmatic skills (e.g., schizophrenia). Finally, collaborative links will be strengthened with our overseas neighbours, Japan and China. Read moreRead less
Understanding bilingual language acquisition in northern Indigenous Australia: phonological, lexical, orthographic, and family factors. Children's language outcomes are critical for health, social inclusion, education and employment. In northern Australia many Indigenous children grow up as Kriol/English bilinguals in disadvantaged communities; this research will establish the linguistic, educational, and family factors in successful language acquisition for these children.
Learning to talk whitefella way. Many Indigenous children speak Aboriginal English or 'Kriol', which often sounds very different to Standard Australian English. Understanding the differences between these languages, and how 'Kriol' affects the learning of English, will help us to better assist Indigenous children to learn English and likely improve their educational outcomes.
The Grammar of Biblical Hebrew: Functional and Corpus Analyses. The project promotes original, innovative research in Australia into Biblical Hebrew linguistics. Advancement in the knowledge of linguistics increases our understanding of language and its central role in cognition, social interaction, and culture. Biblical Hebrew is the language of the Hebrew Bible, a text sacred to Judaism and Christianity, and of interest to the wider Australian public. The Hebrew Bible is inextricably bound to ....The Grammar of Biblical Hebrew: Functional and Corpus Analyses. The project promotes original, innovative research in Australia into Biblical Hebrew linguistics. Advancement in the knowledge of linguistics increases our understanding of language and its central role in cognition, social interaction, and culture. Biblical Hebrew is the language of the Hebrew Bible, a text sacred to Judaism and Christianity, and of interest to the wider Australian public. The Hebrew Bible is inextricably bound to these two religious traditions that continue to influence substantially Australian society and societies across the world. This project furthers Australia's capacity to contribute to the vital task of interpreting the Hebrew Bible in contemporary, responsible ways and translating it into the world's languages.Read moreRead less
Discovering the developmental trajectory of lexical stress production. In English words some syllables are more strongly stressed than others. Most children will learn to emphasise these syllables appropriately but some will not. This project will help to understand the normal development of this vital aspect of speech production and allow more effective assistance to those who experience difficulties.
Phonological effects on the development of inflectional morphology. This project investigates the mechanisms underlying typically developing children's variable omission of inflectional morphemes (for example, plural, past tense). The results will have significant implications for the evaluation and design of interventions for language-delayed populations where serious problems of communication persist.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101289
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
How we know who is talking: talker-distinctiveness in speech timing. The goal of the project is to understand the cognitive mechanisms that underpin the human ability to recognise both words and talkers in speech. The project will produce a pan-Australian model of speech timing and employ it to predict how easily talkers can recognise each other.