Magda Oiry writes:
Brian Dillon writes:
Psychosyntax will be meeting this Monday, 3/25, at 3pm in the Partee room. This week Stefan Keine will be presenting joint work with Rajesh on 'Verb clusters and the semantics of head movement.' You can find an abstract here.
Christina Tortora (CUNY) will be visiting UMass on Thursday, March 28. She will give a talk entitled "Clausal Domains and Clitic Placement Generalizations in Romance," on that day in Dickinson 206 at 4PM. You can find an abstract of her talk here.
All are welcome!
Eric Potsdam (University of Florida) is installed on Tuesday as this year's syntax guru. Eric has worked on wh-constructions, ellipsis, imperatives and subjunctives in English and is perhaps best known for his work with Masha Polinsky on Backwards Control. He is an expert on Austronesian languages, especially Malagasy. He will give the department colloquium on Friday, and will be in residence until April 12. You'll find him in Barbara Partee's office. To learn more about his research go here.
He's here for only a short three weeks, so bring him your syntax problems early and often!
Jason Overfelt writes:
Please join us on Wednesday, March 27th at 6:30p for another meeting of SRG. This week we will be hearing from Teresa Maria Xiques Garcia. The talk is titled 'The hodiernal perfect and the position-definite reading: towards a unified account'. It's at Barbara and Voldja's place at 50 Hobart Lane.
Eric Potsdam (University of Florida) will give the department colloquium on March 29 at 3:30 in Machmer E 37. A title and abstract follow.
Malagasy Phrasal Comparatives
Few question the existence of clausal comparatives—comparatives in which the constituent following ‘than’ shows clausal syntax, which may have been reduced by ellipsis (Bresnan 1973 and others). What remains unresolved is whether all comparatives must be analyzed in this way. At stake is the analysis of phrasal comparatives, such as the Malagasy (Austronesian, Madagascar) comparative in (1).
(1) lava noho ilay zaza Rabe
tall than that child Rabe
‘Rabe is taller than that child’
This talk contrasts a direct analysis of Malagasy comparatives with a number of extant reduced clauses analyses (Lechner 2004, Pancheva 2006, Merchant 2009). Evidence from a wide range of phenomena—binding theory, scope, case, NPIs, islands, gapping, and Malagasy-specific syntactic restrictions, among others—argues for a direct analysis for Malagasy. Although direct analyses have been proposed for other languages, such as English, Chinese, and Japanese, they have been questioned in most cases. Thus the number of clear cases is still quite small (i.e. Hindi (Bhatt & Takahashi 2011)). This result has implications for the syntax-semantics interface and issues of cross-linguistic variation.
Claire Moore-Cantwell writes:
We'll meet twice this coming week: once *Thursday night at 6:30 at Packards*, where we'll be hearing from Amanda, Shayne, and Jeremy on
Phonotactic Satiation, and again *Friday morning at 9 at the North
Hadley Sugar Shack* where we'll be discussing plans for next year's
Sound Seminar and the Phonology conference in the fall.
The LSA Institute is being held this summer (June 24-July 19) at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the focus is on "Universality and Variability." They have just opened registration here. For more information about the Institute, its workshops, classes and speakers, go here.
Peggy Speas is giving a talk at the University of Venice on March 25, and at the conference "How do we know what happens" at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris on April 4-5. (You can see more about the conference here.)
The Dept of Linguistics at the U of Maryland, is looking to fill up to five full-time positions for post-baccalaureate researchers. Starting date for all positions is Summer/Fall 2013. Salary is competitive, with benefits included. The positions would be ideal for individuals with a BA degree who are interested in gaining significant research experience in a very active lab as preparation for a research career. Applicants must be US or Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and should have completed a BA or BS degree by the time of appointment. The ability to interact comfortably with a wide variety of people (and machines) is a distinct advantage. Applicants may request to be considered for all five positions.
The positions are open until filled, but for best consideration, applications should be received by April 5th. Details at http://ling.umd.edu/baggett/jobs/
Positions #1-#2: Baggett Research Fellowships
Baggett Fellowships are full-time positions. Fellows can pursue research in linguistics, cognitive (neuro-)science of language, language acquisition, or computational modeling. 1-2 positions are available for 2013-2014. Positions are for one year and are not renewable. Contact person: Dr Andrea Zukowski (address below). For further details, including the faculty mentor list:
http://www.ling.umd.edu/baggett
Position #3: Research Assistant in Psycholinguistics/Cognitive Neuroscience
This person will be involved in all aspects of studies of language comprehension using behavioral and neuroscientific techniques, including electrophysiological brain recordings (training provided). The person will also contribute to Maryland's IGERT training program in Language Science, (languagescience.umd.edu). Previous experience in (psycho-)linguistics preferred. 1 year initial appointment, possibility of extension. Contact Dr. Colin Phillips (address below). Application requirements same as for Baggett Fellowships.
Position #4: Research Assistant in Psycholinguistics/Cognitive Neuroscience
This person will have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of projects examining language comprehension with behavioral and neurophysiological recording methods including ERP, MEG, and fMRI (training provided). Previous experience in linguistics and/or language processing is preferred; reasonable comfort with basic programming and statistics is a significant plus. 1 year initial appointment with possibility of extension. Contact person: Dr. Ellen Lau (address below). Application requirements same as for Baggett Fellowships.
Position #5: MEG Laboratory Manager
This person will play a leading role in the operation of a magnetoencephalography (MEG) facility that is managed jointly by the Dept. of Linguistics and the Maryland Neuroimaging Center, and serves researchers from many departments, for studies on language, vision, memory, reading, audition, and kinesiology. The person will be trained as an expert user of the facility, will help to guide and train other users, will coordinate and enhance resources for the experimental paradigms in use in the lab, and will manage the smooth daily operation of the lab. The person will also have opportunities to participate in and/or lead research projects, and participate in a range of other intellectual activities in language and cognitive neuroscience. Previous laboratory experience is preferred, and the ability to interact comfortably with a wide variety of people and technologies is strongly preferred. Prior experience with MEG or other electrophysiological techniques is NOT required. The position is for a one year initial appointment, with the possibility of extension beyond that time. For more information contact lab co-directors Dr. Ellen Lau (Linguistics; address below). Application requirements are the same as for the Baggett Fellowships.
Applicants may request to be considered for all five positions, or any subset. Applicants for any of these positions should submit a cover letter outlining relevant background and interests, including potential faculty mentors (multiple mentors are possible), a current CV, and names and contact information for 3 potential referees. Reference letters are not needed as part of the initial application. Applicants should also send a writing sample. All application materials should be submitted electronically to the following recipients:
Positions #1-#2 - Andrea Zukowski (zukowski at umd.edu). Put 'Baggett Fellowship' in the subject line.
Position #3 - Colin Phillips (colin at umd.edu). Put 'Research Assistantship' in the subject line.
Position #4 - Ellen Lau (ellenlau at umd.edu). Put 'Research Assistantship' in the subject line.
Position #5 - Ellen Lau (ellenlau at umd.edu). Put 'MEG Lab Manager' in the subject line.
The Dept of Linguistics has shared facilities for testing of infants, children and adults, 2 eye-tracking labs, an ERP lab and a whole-head MEG facility. The department is part of a vibrant language science community that numbers 200 faculty, researchers, and graduate students across 10 departments, and is affiliated with the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program and the new Maryland Neuroimaging Center.
Best Consideration for Applications: 5-Apr-2013
JeNom 5: Eventualities beyond verbs
The 5th workshop on nominalizations
Les 5èmes Journées d'étude sur les nominalisations
June 20-21, 2013
Webpage: http://parles.upf.edu/llocs/glif/pub/jenom5/
Call for papers:
JeNom 5 aims at bringing together researchers who are concerned with the argument structure and the temporal/aspectual properties of noun phrases and other nominal constituents in various languages and frameworks. The JeNom Workshops originated in France (which explains its French acronym: Journées d'études sur les Nominalisations); the most recent edition was held in Stuttgart, JeNom3 at the University of Paris 8. This year's JeNom will be held at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, with the support of the CNRS lab UMR 7023 Structures Formelles du Langage & Université de Paris 8.
We invite submissions on any aspect of the study of nominal expressions (morphology, syntax, semantics, and/or interfaces) in various languages and theoretical frameworks.
This year's meeting aims at broadening the topic and at moving beyond the morphology, syntax and semantics of nominalizations of eventive verbs. The overarching topic concerns the representation of eventualities beyond the verbal domain. Topics include, but are not limited to the following:
The role of the noun in light verb constructions
Cognate object constructions
Nominal compounds
Noun incorporation
Deverbal nouns and adjectives, particularly nominalizations derived from stative verbs
Deadjectival and denominal verbs
Events/states in participles and/or adjectives
The nature of the morphology that derives nouns from verbs and adjectives, and adjectives from verbs and nouns
Hybrid categories
Non-derived event nouns (e.g. trip)
Individuation of events in nominals
Each talk will receive 30 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for discussion. Abstracts should not exceed 2 pages in length (A4 or letter-size), in 12 pt. font, with 1-inch/2,5-cm margins, including examples and references. The language of the submissions and the presentations will be English.
Please submit your abstract here.
Invited speakers:
Paolo Acquaviva (University College Dublin)
Fabienne Martin (University of Stuttgart)
Andrew McIntyre (Humboldt University Berlin)
Important dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: March 30, 2013
Notification of acceptance: April 30, 2013
Workshop dates: June 20-21, 2013
Contact e-mail address: jenom5barcelona@gmail.com
*SEMANTICS AND PHILOSOPHY IN EUROPE 6 (SPE6)*
It is our pleasure to announce the 6th Semantics and Philosophy in
Europe Colloquium (SPE6), which this year will take place in St
Petersburg during the White Nights.
Place: Bobrinsky Palace, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Smolny
College), St. Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia
Time: June 10-14, 2013
*INVITED SPEAKERS*
*GENERAL SESSION*
Barbara Partee (University of Massachusetts, Amherst / Moscow University)
Kjell Johan Saebø (University of Oslo)
*SPECIAL SESSIONS*
[1] The Interface between Linguistic Semantics and Philosophy of Mind
Berit Brogaard (University of Missouri, Saint Louis)
Frances Egan (Rutgers University)
Scott Soames (University of Southern California)
Tutorial:
Robert Matthews (Rutgers University)
Friederike Moltmann (IHPST (Paris1/ENS/CNRS), Paris)
[2] The Status of Semantics in the History of Generative Grammar
John Collins (University of East Anglia)
Wolfram Hinzen (Durham/Barcelona)
Robert May / Adam Sennett (UC Davis)
Howard Lasnik (University of Maryland)
[3] Empirical Methods in the Investigation of Semantics
Erica Cosentino (Calabria/Bochum)
Tatiana Chernigovskaya (St Petersburg State University / NRC
Kurchatov Institute , Moskow)
Natalia Slioussar (Utrecht/ St Petersburg State University)
Markus Werning (Bochum)
*Abstract Submission Details:*
Please send an anonymous two-page long abstract with to: slioussar@gmail.com
In the subject field of the e-mail, please mention SPE6 abstract .In the body of the e-mail please specify whether the submission is for the general session or one of the special sessions and mention title and your name, affiliation, and e-mail address.
*Abstract Submission Deadline:* March 22, 2013
*Notification of Acceptance:* April 5, 2013
*Organizing Committee of SPE6:*
Berit Brogaard, Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Wolfram Hinzen, Robert
Matthews, Robert May, Friederike Moltmann, Natalia Slioussar, Markus Werning, Ede Zimmermann
Here is the Conference Website
Agreement in Verse
Do you know
that the key to my heart
and the cupboards is missing?
I heard you
and she have a spare.
All is well; I will wait
for the locksmith
is busy. Which keys
does his specialty
store make these
days? ‘Cause whichever
is best are the ones
I request.
But they must be alike:
where each one is the same as
all others,
and all are the same
as each one. For the way
to men’s hearts
is their stomachs and via
the locked kitchen cabinets.
- Joshua Levy
John Bailyn writes:
I hope everyone there is doing well. Please let your advanced Linguistics UG students and graduate students know about the exciting opportunity to study at the NY-St. Petersburg Institute of Linguistics, Cognition and Culture (NYI-XI), which will be held this summer for the 11th year in St. Petersburg, Russia. The dates are July 15-August 2, 2013. (With participation from your faculty again, as usual - Rajesh will be back for the 2nd year).
NYI's lineup of Linguistics and Cognitive Psychology faculty for summer 2013 include:
John F. Bailyn (Stony Brook)
Rajesh Bhatt (UMass, Amherst)
Janet Dean Fodor (CUNY Graduate Center)
Jerry Fodor (Rutgers University)
Caroline Heycock (University of Edinburgh)
Sabine Iatridou (MIT)
Jaye Padgett (UC Santa Cruz)
Roumyana Pancheva (USC)
Sergei Tatevosov (Moscow State University)
All seminars are in English and no Russian language knowledge is required.
(There are also 8 faculty in Cultural and Media studies, see website for details)
There are two ways US-based students can participate:
i) Through Stony Brook's 4-week Study Abroad Program, students can earn 3-9 transferable credits. Russian language and culture courses are offered in addition to Linguistics, Cognitive and Cultural Studies Courses at NYI, a cultural program, optional trip to Moscow and other program highlights. 4-week Study Abroad Program dates are July 6-August 4, 2013.
For more information, visit: http://www.stonybrook.edu/studyabroad/shorts_russia.html The current application deadline is March 29, 2013, though we anticipate it will be extended to April 15, 2013.
ii) Through NYI's "Direct Linguistics Participation Program", US Linguistics students may attend the 3-week NY Institute program without paying US tuition, taking 4 Linguistics/Cognitive Studies seminars of their choice. Russian language courses, cultural program and excursions are not available. This option does not provide any transferable credits, but students receive a Certificate of Completion form NYI. Direct Participation Program dates are July 12-August 4, 2013.
Students interested in NYI's Direct Participation Program should contact Prof John Bailyn directly at john.bailyn@stonybrook.edu for details.
Kyle Johnson gave a talk on Friday, March 22 ("The Antecedence Conditions on Ellipsis Aren't Proprietary") at the Workshop on the Syntax of Ellipsis sponsored by the TT Ng Chinese Language Research Centre at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. More information is here.
The 35th annual meeting of the German Society of Linguistics was held in Potsdam March 12-15, and UMass was well represented. Tom Roeper gave a talk entitled "What should a theory of interfaces tell us about the acquisition path for discourse coherence?" UMass alumnus Jeff Runner gave a talk entitled "Syntactic Structure, information structure, and lexical effects on null and overt subject conprehension in Spanish." Tracy Conner gave her talk "Overt functional heads license ellipsis: a unified account of VP-ellipsis and ellipsis in possessive DPs." Nick LaCara gave his talk " Inversion, deletion, and focus in as-parentheticals." UMass alumnus Florian Schwarz gave a talk entitled "Weak definites and Kinds of Events." Ellen Woolford gave her talk "A hybrid approach to agreement typology: MP+OT." And, finally, UMass alumnus Winfried Lechner gave a talk entitled "Notes on the Duke of York." Nick has sent the following photos as proof.
