Objective
The project seeks to develop a new theoretical framework to understand the nature and limits of language variation, and test it empirically. The framework reflects recent theoretical changes, as well as empirical findings that cast doubt on the standard account of language variation known as the ‘principles and parameters’ framework. Inspired by the Evo-Devo (evolutionary-developmental) program in biology, which seeks to unveil how developmental processes become modified during evolution and how from these changes the past and present biodiversity arose, I set out to investigate the nature of linguistic variation by paying attention to the many factors that enter into the design of the human language faculty. I suggest ways to remedy the inadequacies of the Standard model by reducing lexical (morphological) variation to four ingredients (which define the limits of variation) and by stressing the role of learning biases (not necessarily specific to language) to account for cross-linguistic tendencies. The proposed program of research has the potential of not only filling in an important gap in our understanding of the nature of human languages, but also could serve as a bridge between various schools of thoughts in linguistics (formalist, functionalist, nativist, emergentist, etc.), which are all too often seen as competitors. In addition, if the evo-devo parallelism is on the right track, this proposal makes a key contribution to the emerging field of Biolinguistics, which aims at uncovering the biological foundations of the human language faculty
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.
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.
- humanities languages and literature general language studies
- humanities languages and literature linguistics
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
08007 BARCELONA
Spain
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.