32.1506, Support: Eastern Sudanic; Nilo-Saharan; Nilotic; Didinga; Kalenjin; Masai; Turkana; Language Documentation; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Syntax: PhD, Universität Leipzig
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LINGUIST List: Vol-32-1506. Fri Apr 30 2021. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.
Subject: 32.1506, Support: Eastern Sudanic; Nilo-Saharan; Nilotic; Didinga; Kalenjin; Masai; Turkana; Language Documentation; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Syntax: PhD, Universität Leipzig
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Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:14:44
From: Maria Kouneli [maria.kouneli at uni-leipzig.de]
Subject: Eastern Sudanic; Nilo-Saharan; Nilotic; Didinga; Kalenjin; Masai; Turkana; Language Documentation; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Syntax: PhD, Universität Leipzig, Germany
Institution/Organization: Universität Leipzig
Department: Institut für Linguistik
Web Address: https://www.philol.uni-leipzig.de/en/institute-of-linguistics/
Level: PhD
Duties: Research
Specialty Areas: Language Documentation; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Syntax
Required Language(s): Didinga (did)
Kalenjin (kln)
Masai (mas)
Turkana (tuv)
Eastern Sudanic
Nilo-Saharan
Nilotic
Description:
The project “Layers of morphosyntactic number in Eastern Sudanic” offers two
PhD positions (payscale: TVL-E13, 65%) with full funding for 4 years, starting
from October 1st, 2021. The project will be part of the Research Unit “Cyclic
Optimization” (Leipzig University), funded by the Deutsche
Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). Further information on the RU can be found here:
https://www.philol.uni-leipzig.de/en/institute-of-linguistics/research/
The goal of this project is to investigate phenomena pertaining to the
underexponence of number (i.e., the presence of fewer than expected number
morphemes in a given word) and the overexponence of number (i.e., the presence
of more than expected number morphemes in a given word) in the understudied
Eastern Sudanic branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family, and to investigate
whether a Cyclic Optimization approach is better-equipped to account for the
attested cross-linguistic variation. The Cyclic Optimization approach to be
developed follows the assumptions of Minimalism for syntax and Distributed
Morphology for exponence, but introduces optimization steps at the
interfaces.The specific phenomena to be investigated include the tripartite
system of number marking in the nominal domain (featuring a variety of plural
and singulative affixes), reduplication and pluractionality in the verbal
domain, as well as various phenomena in verbal agreement: discontinuous
exponence, multiple exponence of person and/or number agreement, and inverse
marking in person hierarchy-driven agreement. The bulk of the empirical data
for this project will come from original fieldwork conducted in Kenya with
speakers of different dialects of four Eastern Sudanic languages (Kalenjin,
Turkana, Maa, Didinga).
More details can be found here:
https://www.philol.uni-leipzig.de/en/institute-of-linguistics/research/ru-cycl
ic-optimization/layers-of-morphosyntactic-number-in-eastern
The tasks of the PhD students include the following:
- Both PhD students will be actively involved in data collection and will take
part in field trips to Kenya.
- Each PhD student will be responsible for one of the empirical phenomena
under investigation (outlined above) and is expected to write a thesis in this
(or a related) topic.
The PhD students are also expected to participate in the rotation program of
the Research Unit (RU), which involves two 2-month internships in other
projects of the RU, and the courses offered in the RU training program. The
PhD students will have access to travel money for conferences.
Qualifications:
- MA (or equivalent) in linguistics or related field
- Excellent command of English (German not required)
- Strong background in theoretical linguistics, especially syntax and
morphology
- Previous research on African or other understudied languages is a plus, but
not required
- The candidate must be willing to participate in field trips to Kenya
Applications should include the following supporting documents:
- Letter of motivation (1-2 pages) that clarifies the research interests of
the applicant, in particular detailing how these would fit in with the
research goals of the project
- Representative sample of research work (e.g., an advanced seminar paper or
M.A. thesis): in English or German
- Two letters of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of M.A. degree (to be handed in latest by October 1, 2021, if not
already available by June 30, 2021)
All supporting documents for the application should be emailed electronically
as a single .pdf file (the M.A. degree to be scanned in) to Jun.-Prof. Maria
Kouneli (subject line: cyclop phd synmor; email:
maria.kouneli at uni-leipzig.de). The recommendation letters should be emailed
directly to this address by the referees.
Application Deadline: 30-Jun-2021
Mailing Address for Applications:
Attn: Mailing Address for Applications:
Attn: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Maria Kouneli
Beethovenstr. 15
Leipzig 04107
Germany
Email: maria.kouneli at uni-leipzig.de
Contact Information:
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Maria Kouneli
maria.kouneli at uni-leipzig.de
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