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Research subject General linguistics

General linguistics is the general study of the structure of languages and linguistic communication. Our research has a main focus on linguistic diversity and psycho- and neurolinguistics.

Research on linguistic diversity includes

typological comparisons of linguistic phenomena (eg a type of construction or a particular semantic domain) within representative samples of the world’s languages
language documentation, ie typologically correct descriptions of minor and endangered languages
research on language contact and language changes that examines how languages develop over time and how different languages are affected by being in long-term contact with each other.

Within the process perspective of psycholinguistics, it is the human language processing that is highlighted. Brain imaging and models of language in the brain are often used in this research, which is why it is also known as neurolinguistics. Here is also a focus on studying conversation – a new horizon in psycho- and neurolinguistics, that previously mainly has examined the language processing of individual words or sentences.

Read more about our various research projects further down the page.

Section representative
Maria Koptjevskaja Tamm
tamm@ling.su.se

Related research subject

Linguistics

Deltagare i forskningsstudie i Kashmir presenterar data. Foto: Henrik Liljegren

Researchers

Maria Koptjevskaja Tamm

Professor

Department of Linguistics

tamm@ling.su.se

Luba Nikolova Vesselinova

Professor

Department of Linguistics

ljuba@ling.su.se

Bernhard Wälchli

Professor

Department of Linguistics

08-16 23 44

bernhard@ling.su.se

Henrik Liljegren

Professor

Department of Linguistics

08-16 12 45

henrik.liljegren@ling.su.se

Henrik Bergqvist

Docent

Department of Linguistics

Närbild av Henrik Bergqvist på fältarbete. Privat foto

henrik.bergqvist@ling.su.se

Julia Uddén

Associate Professor

Department of Psychology

Julia Uddén Foto: Psykologiska institutionen/HD

julia.udden@psychology.su.se

Ghazaleh Vafaeian

Universitetslektor

Department of Child and Youth Studies

ghazaleh@buv.su.se

Matti Marttinen Larsson

postdoc

Department of Linguistics

matti.marttinen@su.se

Pernilla Hallonsten Halling

Postdoc

Department of Linguistics

pernilla.hallonsten@ling.su.se

Mikael Parkvall

Researcher

Department of Linguistics

parkvall@ling.su.se

Caroline Arvidsson

PhD student

Department of Linguistics

caroline.arvidsson@ling.su.se

Alice Bondarenko

Doktorand

Department of Linguistics

alice.bondarenko@ling.su.se

Anastasiia Panova

PhD student

Department of Linguistics

anastasia.panova@ling.su.se

Anna Sjöberg

PhD student

Department of Linguistics

anna.sjoberg@ling.su.se

Östen Dahl

Professor emeritus

Department of Linguistics

oesten@ling.su.se

Björn Hammarberg

Professor emeritus

Department of Linguistics

Björn Hammarberg. Photo: Björn Hammarberg

ham@ling.su.se

Tore Janson

Professor emeritus

Department of Linguistics

tore.janson@ling.su.se

Research group

Centre for Cultural Evolution

The Centre for Cultural Evolution conducts interdisciplinary research on the causal relationships that shape and change human culture in both the long and the short term.

Courses and programmes

Doctoral studies

Abourt third-cycle studies at the Department of Linguistics

News

2023-05-29

Department of Linguistics

The evolution of negation in the languages of the world

Ljuba Veselinova develops her work on negative expressions in the book "The Negative Existential Cycle".

Language and Language Learning

2023-05-12

Department of Linguistics

How contrast is expressed in the languages of the world

Bernhard Wälchli presents a typological study on similarities and differences between contrast markers, selectives, and word order in the languages of the world.

Language and Language Learning

2023-05-03

Department of Linguistics

Nuristani languages from an areal and typological point of view

Henrik Liljegren presents a paper summarizing the characteristic properties of Nuristani languages, ranging from the sound system to word order and other features of grammar.

Language and Language Learning

Henrik Liljegren med bergslandskap i bakgrunden. Foto: Sani Marzban

2023-04-03

Department of Linguistics

Henrik Liljegren has been promoted to professor in general linguistics

Henrik Liljegren has been promoted to professor of general linguistics with a focus on language documentation and language description.

Gláucia Laís Salomão vid MR-kameran på SUBIC. Privat foto

2023-01-23

Department of Linguistics

Project on voice and empathy receives a grant from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond

Gláucia Laís Salomão is granted 3.7 million SEK from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond for an upcoming project on empathy arising from emotional voices.

Language and Language Learning Psychology and Human Behaviour Brain Research

The CommAND project will study how the brain's network is engaged in communication, at different stages of adolescence. It will also test whether the maturation of these networks is delayed in ADHD. Illustration by Julia Uddén.

2023-01-12

Department of Linguistics

Four million SEK for basic research project on ADHD and communication

For the first time researchers will use neuroimaging methods to investigate communication in ADHD. The CommAND project receives a grant from the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation.

Language and Language Learning