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Grammar learning across languages

Project description

Solving the mystery of language learning

Understanding how children learn language is a puzzle for cognitive scientists. While they effortlessly grasp the complex structures of their native tongue, the underlying cognitive mechanisms remain elusive. Current theories, centred on pattern tracking and cognitive biases, fall short of explaining the full breadth of grammatical diversity across languages. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the GLAL project delves into 20 languages. By harnessing data-driven methods and advanced technology, it aims to uncover the cognitive mechanisms behind grammar learning. Through a comprehensive database and cross-linguistic research, GLAL aims to redefine the roles of pattern tracking and cognitive biases in shaping early cognition. It offers a promising window into the intricate workings of the human mind.

Objective

Children learn how subjects, objects, and verbs combine into sentences irrespective of the language. The cognitive mechanisms underlying this incredible flexibility, however, are still poorly understood. Current theories suggest that pattern tracking and cognitive biases underlie grammar learning, but fail to account for the full breadth of grammatical diversity. In this project, I will set aside common theories and assumptions, and use a data-driven approach to investigate the mechanisms for grammar learning by sampling a diverse set of twenty languages. From this larger, representative perspective, I will re-characterize the roles of (1) pattern tracking and (2) cognitive biases to advance theory, and synthesize my findings into (3) a database to facilitate cross-linguistic research. I leverage cutting-edge technological advances in natural language processing and online experimentation to provide a window into the early flexibility of human cognition.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 195 914,88
Address
BOULEVARD CHARLES LIVON 58 LE PHARO
13284 Marseille
France

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Region
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Bouches-du-Rhône
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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