22.892, Support: Language Acquisition, Semantics: PhD Student, U. of Groningen

Tue Feb 22 21:04:42 UTC 2011

LINGUIST List: Vol-22-892. Tue Feb 22 2011. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 22.892, Support: Language Acquisition, Semantics: PhD Student, U. of Groningen

Moderators: Anthony Aristar, Eastern Michigan U <aristar at linguistlist.org>
            Helen Aristar-Dry, Eastern Michigan U <hdry at linguistlist.org>

Reviews: Veronika Drake, U of Wisconsin-Madison  
Monica Macaulay, U of Wisconsin-Madison  
Eric Raimy, U of Wisconsin-Madison  
Joseph Salmons, U of Wisconsin-Madison  
Anja Wanner, U of Wisconsin-Madison  
       <reviews at linguistlist.org> 

Homepage: http://linguistlist.org/

The LINGUIST List is funded by Eastern Michigan University, 
and donations from subscribers and publishers.

Editor for this issue: Matthew Lahrman <matt at linguistlist.org>
================================================================  

To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at
http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.cfm.

===========================Directory==============================  

1)
Date: 20-Feb-2011
From: Emar Maier [emar.maier at gmail.com]
Subject: Language Acquisition, Semantics: PhD Student, University of Groningen, Netherlands

-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:02:13
From: Emar Maier [emar.maier at gmail.com]
Subject: Language Acquisition, Semantics: PhD Student, University of Groningen, Netherlands

E-mail this message to a friend:
http://linguistlist.org/issues/emailmessage/verification.cfm?iss=22-892.html&submissionid=4498195&topicid=12&msgnumber=1

Institution/Organization: University of Groningen 
Department:  
Web Address: http://www.rug.nl/filosofie 

Level: PhD 

Duties: Research

Specialty Areas: Language Acquisition; Semantics 

Description:

The Faculty of Philosophy is seeking a PhD candidate for the ERC funded 
research project BLENDS (Between Direct and Indirect Discourse--Shifting 
Perspective in Blended Discourse) of Dr. Emar Maier.

PROJECT

The ability to talk about what others say or think is a key aspect of human 
cognition. For instance, reported speech constructions (he said it was raining) are 
claimed to be part of what sets human language apart from that of apes and other 
animals. In addition, the acquisition of this construction has been related to the 
acquisition of Theory of Mind, i.e. the ability to reason with the fact that other 
people have beliefs and desires distinct from one's own. BLENDS tries to unravel 
how speech reporting in natural language works. It rejects the traditional rigid 
distinction between direct discourse (John said, 'I'm a fool') and indirect discourse 
(John said that he's a fool), and proposes an alternative framework of "Blended 
Discourse". We test this proposal empirically in signed languages, child language 
and Ancient Greek.

The position advertised is for the child language subproject, called "The acquisition 
of the direct--indirect distinction". Its aim is to investigate if, when, and how 
children acquire an adult-like conception of the distinction between direct and 
indirect discourse. The hypothesis is that children start out with a flexible reporting 
mode where they can freely mix the reporter's and reportee's perspectives.

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate has

- an interest and background in experimental linguistics and formal semantics
- an MA or MSc degree in a field relevant to the project (e.g. linguistics, 
philosophy, A.I. psychology,...),
- fluency in Dutch and English
- an interest and background in working with children

A detailed outline of the research project can be requested by sending an email to 
filosofie at rug.nl.

The PhD position is for a period of four years on a full time basis. The gross 
monthly salary will range between 2042 euro per month in the first year to 2612 
euro per month in the fourth year. The successful applicant will be working under 
direct supervision of Dr. Emar Maier (Faculty of Philosophy) with co-supervision of 
promotores Prof. dr. Igor Douven (Faculty of Philosophy) and Prof. dr. Petra 
Hendriks (Faculty of Arts). The objective of the appointment is to conceive of and 
conduct child language experiments, publish the results in research articles, and 
write a dissertation on the acquisition of reported. speech. The preferred starting 
date is July 1st 2011.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an 
international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education. 
The current project will be co-hosted by the Department of Theoretical Philosophy 
of the Faculty of Philosophy, and the Semantics and Cognition group within the 
CLCG (Center for Language and Cognition Groningen) of the Faculty of Arts. 
Hence, the successful candidate will be based partly at the Faculty of Philosophy, 
and partly at the Faculty of Arts.

APPLICATION

To apply for the position, please send an email to filosofie at rug.nl and attach

- a curriculum vitae, detailing academic qualifications, grades, and a list of 
publications if applicable,
- a letter explaining your motivation, your interest in the project, and your 
competence in the research field,
- a writing sample of about 5,000 words as well as your MA/MSc thesis, 
- the name and contact details of two referees.

The closing date is May 1, 2011. Interviews will be held later in May. 

Application Deadline: 01-May-2011 

Web Address for Applications: http://www.sites,google.com/site/emarmaier/blends/job 

Contact Information: 
	Emar Maier 
	filosofie at rug.nl  

-----------------------------------------------------------
LINGUIST List: Vol-22-892	
----------------------------------------------------------