Projects / Programmes
Theoretical and Experimental Linguistics
January 1, 2013
- December 31, 2018
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.05.02 |
Humanities |
Linguistics |
Theoretical and applied linguistics |
| 6.05.01 |
Humanities |
Linguistics |
Languages - research |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H350 |
Humanities |
Linguistics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.02 |
Humanities |
Languages and Literature |
Researchers (10)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
1540 |
University of Nova Gorica |
Nova Gorica |
5920884000 |
14,070 |
Abstract
The main area of this research program is theoretical and experimental linguistics. Members of our research group work on different topics within theoretical linguistics mostly in syntax but also extending to semanitcs and morphophonology. We test our theoretical proposals with experimental methods and also work on purely experimental research on language acquisition and the influence of the acquired language on other cognitive capabilities in youth and children.
We cover all major areas of theoretical linguistics. Our work extends from the more general questions about recursion, the working of phases and the syntax-semantics and the syntax-phonology interface, the mechanism of agreement and the nature of null syntactic elements to the more specific questions linked to wh-movement, the syntax of the noun phrase, the syntax and semantics of comparison, the syntax of resultative and depictive secondary predication and the syntax of the left periphery.
The members of this program group are native speakers of four different languages, clearly, our reserach is thus not limited to Slovenian. The focus of our interest actually extends well beyond even these four languages. And even when it comes to Slovenian, we do not limit our work to Standard Slovenian, but extend it to the so far mostly overlooked area of dialectal syntax. Through the study of various Slovenian varieties as well as other languages, we participate in the creation of the general linguistic theory.
Significance for science
The proposed research is important for the development of linguistics since such a tight and constructive collaboration between theoretical and experimental linguistics as is proposed in this program is rather rare. Experimental linguistics is important for testing the hypotheses put forward by theoretical linguistics, while on the other hand, theoretical linguistics is important for presenting these theories and modifying them based on the results of the experiments. When these two lines of work do not work hand in hand, experimentalists do not work on the latest hypotheses and the theoreticians do not base their theories on the latest experimental findings. We see the greatest importance of the proposed program for science precisely in the described close collaboration and in the development of science that such collaboration brings about. As such, this program is not important just for the development of linguistics but also for the development of cognitive science more generally.
Significance for the country
Our research group is currently the largest and most successful (publication- and citation-wise) group of generative linguists in Slovenia. At the same time, it is the only one among generative linguists which has started to expand its domain of investigation from purely theoretical linguistics also to experimental work. The University of Nova Gorica PhD program in Linguistics, which was conceived and launched by our group, and the MA program in linguistics, in which our group paricipates, are the only two proper international study programs of modern linguistics in Slovenia. Right from their introduction, both programs have generated interest also among candidates from abroad, they have both also garnered interest among Erasmus exchange students, and this year we have already served as external course providers for other linguistics PhD programs in Slovenia (University of Ljubljana). The program group thus significantly contributes—both directly, with its scientific achievements, and indirectly, with the PhD program it conducts—in complementing Slovenian linguistics, promoting Slovenian science and Slovenia and helping to include both on the international stage.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
