23.3806, Support: General Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics: PhD Student, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Tue Sep 11 14:39:00 UTC 2012

LINGUIST List: Vol-23-3806. Tue Sep 11 2012. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 23.3806, Support: General Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics: PhD Student, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:38:47
From: Umberto Ansaldo [uansaldo at gmail.com]
Subject: General Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics: PhD Student, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

E-mail this message to a friend:
http://linguistlist.org/issues/emailmessage/verification.cfm?iss=23-3806.html&submissionid=4553264&topicid=12&msgnumber=1
 Institution/Organization: The University of Hong Kong 
Department: Linguistics 
Web Address: http://hku.hk 

Level: PhD 

Duties: Research,Project Work

Specialty Areas: General Linguistics 
Cognitive Linguistics 

Description:

This PhD position is part of a newly funded research project on complexity 
and simplicity in isolating languages. The project is housed in the 
Department of Linguistics of The University of Hong Kong. 

Our aim is a deeper understanding of the notion of linguistic complexity with 
particular reference to languages of the isolating type and the notion of 
hidden complexity. Despite the numerous debates in the field, it has been 
long recognized that complexity is as yet ill-defined in linguistics and 
typically relative to theoretical stance and thus variably interpreted by 
different scholars (see Muysken 1988; Plank 2001). How linguistic 
complexity should be defined is a central issue in linguistics and holds the 
key to a major aspect of the study of language. If language is indeed a 
biological trait of humans, as argued by Chomsky and the generative 
school, then languages must be of overall equal complexity, even if they 
may differ in the complexity of sub-domains of grammar (say morphology vs. 
syntax). If on the other hand language is part of human culture, different 
languages could show different degrees of complexity, related to the 
complexity of the cultural system in which they evolve. In order to tackle 
these issues, the project focuses on two areas of hidden complexity (1-2) 
and one area of overt complexity (3) in Sinitic and Creole languages: (1) 
polyfunctionality: the use of one and the same lexical item for different 
grammatical functions; (2) covert or hidden functional categories (i.e. not 
obligatorily expressed); and (3) verb serialization, or serial verb 
constructions, complex semantic events without over grammatical linkers.

Project objectives include: 
- Refine our definition of overt complexity
- Quantify hidden complexity in terms of processing costs
- Develop methods for the analysis of different types of complexity

The incoming PhD candidate will actively tackle one or more of the project's 
objectives. Candidates will have a strong background in general linguistics 
and cognitive science. Additional familiarity or interest in languages of the 
isolating type, especially East and Southeast Asian, is an advantage. 
Candidates are expected to be good team players as well as promising 
researchers. The dissertation committee includes Dr. U. Ansaldo, Dr. S. 
Matthews and Prof. LH Tan. It is hoped that the successful candidate will be 
available from February 1, 2013.

Applications must be submitted via the standard online application process 
for HKU. Further information on research postgraduate education at HKU 
and Application procedure can be obtained from
http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/web/apply/index_ps.htm.  

Full-time PhD students who hold a first degree with second-class honors 
first division (or equivalent) or above are normally considered eligible to 
receive a Postgraduate Scholarship during the normative study period. 
Candidates' results in Master's degrees may also be considered. The basic 
scholarship is currently HK$13,600 (US$1,740)/month (subject to revision). 
Additional financial awards are available. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship 
(HKPF) awards HK$20,000/month in scholarship and a 
conference/research related travel allowance of HK$10,000/year for up to 
three years. Applicants who have applied for the HKPF are automatically 
considered for the University Postgraduate Fellowships (UPF) (HK$70,000) 
in addition to other scholarships. 

For further financial info, see 
http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/web/apply/guide1314/1.html 

Application Deadline: 01-Nov-2012 

Web Address for Applications: http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/web/apply/index_ps.htm 

Contact Information: 
	Dr. Umberto Ansaldo 
	uansaldo at gmail.com  

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