Project description
Hunter-gatherer mobility through the lens of language
The EU-funded LangMov project is a unique investigation of hunter-gatherer mobility through the lens of language, in particular the inventory of motion verbs. The project relies on a case study with the Amazonian language Dâw. Dâw is particularly interesting since it has a rich inventory of motion verbs reflecting notions of the local topography. These verbs will be analyzed on the basis of language data collected and recorded while Dâw speakers are walking. GIS records of the walks will help to interpret the speech data in relation to the surroundings they have been uttered in. Ultimately, the project aims to advance our understanding of the encoding of motion at the intersection of language, culture, and the environment.
Objective
This project proposes a novel investigation of the concept of mobility among mobile hunter-gatherer groups through the lens of language. It will do so by examining verbs of motion a bona fide linguistic category reflecting mobility in indigenous lexicons and grammars. But what can verbs of motion tell us about hunter-gatherer mobility? And, how can occurrences of motion verbs map onto identifiable environmental and cultural features of a given society? Here, I explore these questions treating Dw (Naduhup; Northwest Amazonia) as a focal case. Dw is ideal for examining this topic because it harbors a rich system of motion verbs and a typologically unusual pattern of motion event encoding; it heavily encodes the notion of the terrain in the verb. I will conduct an innovative investigation into hunter-gatherer representations of motion as these unfold in the Dw peoples surroundings while speakers are on the move. While walking, semi-structured interviews will be performed in which speakers will be asked to describe what kind of motion they are performing. This will be recorded in audio, video and GPS for subsequent exploration of the motion verb usage and meanings in relation to measurable topographical features. A second layer of analysis will be provided by speakers posterior descriptions of the respective motion events. Multi-factorial analyses, bringing together measurable spatial manifestations and speakers perceptions of a motion event will result in a record of geographically mapped motion categories. Hence, I pursue the overall goal of substantially advancing our understanding of the linguistic encoding of motion in its language-and-culture-specific and motion-related context. This will both deepen our knowledge of the representation of mobility in a cultural context, which is of crucial concern to human history and diversity, and at the same time advance our understanding of motion semantics at the intersection of language, culture, and environment.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
22100 Lund
Sweden
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.