Russian and Cognitive Linguistics

[Margarita Orlova]

In the joint research project, “Exploring Emptiness”, Russian empty  
prefixes "pustye pristavki" will be explored.

However, you have to keep in mind, they are not really empty. Aleksandr  
Nikolaievich Tikhonov named them clearly-aspectual ones ("chistovidovye  
pristavki") in his Doctorate dissertation (which was defended back in  
1970). Not many Slavists believed him even at that time; there was some  
obvious meaning in those prefixes.

Later, in 1978-1982, Marina Jakovlevna Glovinskaya has shown that their  
content must be described as one of the four main meanings of Russian  
Perfective Aspect (she had followed Anna Verzbicka and Andrzej  
Bogusławski) in that discovery. (M. Ja. Glovinskaya. Semanticheskie  
Tipy Vidovykh Protivopostavlenij Russkogo Glagola. M., Nauka, 1982).

Emptiness, as well as Space Vacuum, wants to be full of quarks :)

Margarita Orlova
San Jose State University, CA


On Saturday, August 25, 2007, at 05:55  AM, Laura A. Janda wrote:

> Announcing a special opportunity for MA-level students of linguistics:
> “Master Class in RUSSIAN LINGUISTICS – Spring Semester at the  
> University of Tromsø”
>
> NOTE: The University of Tromsø does not charge tuition, so the only  
> costs involved are travel and living expenses. The Erasmus program may  
> provide funding for students from EU countries, and other funding  
> opportunities may be available for students from other countries.
>
> The only requirements are that students have good knowledge of both  
> English and Russian and be prepared to study for one semester at the  
> MA level.
>
> Some advantages of studying in Tromsø:
> --One of the largest, best funded linguistics programs in the world
> --Mentorship by Laura A. Janda and Tore Nesset
> --Scenic setting, with a legendary combination of city comforts and  
> access to unspoiled nature
> --Rich cultural life, including everything from classical to modern  
> music, theater and films, internationally acclaimed festivals
> --International milieu welcomes people from all backgrounds
>
> The key component of this program is an MA-level course entitled  
> “Concepts and Categories: Contemporary Russian Cognitive Linguistics”  
> taught by Tore Nesset and Laura Janda. This course recognizes the  
> crucial affinities of Russian functional linguistics and Cognitive  
> Linguistics and showcases a series of articles representing the best  
> of both traditions. Other highlights include guest lectures and a  
> symposium showcasing students’ research. All students can take  
> advantage of individualized advising on a topic of their choice, and  
> participate in empirical research projects, such as “Exploring  
> Emptiness”, led by Tore Nesset and Laura Janda.
>
> Students will come to Tromsø for a spring semester. In addition to the  
> course in Russian and Cognitive Linguistics, students will choose from  
> among various tracks emphasizing special strengths of the University  
> of Tromsø:
> Russian studies: Further advanced study of Russian language and  
> culture, with possible special emphasis on popular culture
> Theoretical linguistics: State-of-the-art courses in phonology and  
> syntax through the Center for Advanced Study in Theoretical > Linguistics
> Scandinavian studies: Promotes expertise in the history and current  
> phenomena of Nordic languages
> English studies: Polishing of English proficiency and theoretical  
> background
> Language acquisition: L1 and L2 acquisition studies drawing upon both  
> primary experimental research and scholarly articles
> Indigenous studies: The languages and cultures of minority groups,  
> with special emphasis on the Sami of northern Europe.
>
> Contact persons in Tromsø:
> • Prof. Laura Janda (laura.janda at hum.uit.no)
> • Prof. Tore Nesset (tore.nesset at hum.uit.no)
>
> Laura Janda and Tore Nesset are both accomplished scholars in the  
> fields of Cognitive and Slavic Linguistics, and Laura Janda is  
> President of the International Cognitive Linguistics Association  
> (http://www.cognitivelinguistics.org/). Their joint research project,  
> “Exploring Emptiness”, is described at: http://uit.no/humfak/8775/.
>
> Laura Janda has focused most of her research on the semantics of case  
> and aspect in Slavic. Her website can be found at:  
> http://hum.uit.no/lajanda/
>
> Tore Nesset’s strongest interests are in Russian phonology and  
> morphology. His website can be found at: http://uit.no/humfak/3345/78
>
> For more information about this program, visit this site:  
> http://uit.no/humfak/7542/ or contact either Laura Janda or Tore  
> Nesset directly.
>
> Please post and circulate this message.
>
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