CreteLing-2022-Super Linguistics
Introduction to Super Linguistics
CreteLing 2022
(Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo)
(LINGUAE, Institut Jean-Nicod, CNRS; New York University)
July 18-22, 2022 - Rethymno, Crete
Topic
In this introductory level class, we offer an introduction to Super Linguistics (using the term 'super' in its original Latinate meaning 'beyond'), which we define as the application of formal linguistic methodology (and methodology broadly inspired by linguistics) to diverse non-standard objects that go beyond standard linguistic objects of study. Out of the various topics that have already been explored under the Super Linguistics umbrella (including the syntax/semantics of gestures, music, dance, non-verbal pictorial representations, animal calls, and animal gestures), we zoom in on iconicity and sign, gestures, and dance cognition. In so doing, we connect these newly established objects of study to more traditional objects of study, in particular, formal semantic modeling of iconicity in both spoken and signed natural languages. This class is introductory in that it does not presuppose familiarity with super linguistic topics (e.g., iconicity in sign language, animal semantics, gesture, dance). However, introductory level knowledge in syntax, semantics and pragmatics will be presupposed.
General readings for this course:
Schlenker, Philippe (2019). What is Super Semantics? Philosophical Perspectives [LingBuzz] [Published version]
Patel-Grosz, Pritty, Salvador Mascarenhas, Emmanuel Chemla, Philippe Schlenker (to appear in Linguistics & Philosophy.) Super Linguistics: an Introduction. [LingBuzz]
Material for the class (readings, slides) will either (i) be linked to the sessions below, or (ii) be made available in this Dropbox folder.
Notes:
(i) There will be a workshop entitled 'Super linguistic dialogues across scientific boundaries' on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, organized by Pritty Patel-Grosz & Naomi Francis (Uni. Oslo) - see below for details.
(ii) There will be a course on music and language in Week 2 (instructors: Jonah Katz and Philippe Schlenker).
Instructor emails
Patel-Grosz: pritty.patel-grosz@iln.uio.no
Schlenker: philippe.schlenker@gmail.com
Sessions
Class 1: Monday 18th July
1A. What is Super Linguistics? (Patel-Grosz)
Readings: general readings for this course (see above; Schlenker 2019, Patel-Grosz et al. to appear)
1B. Logic and iconicity in sign language (Schlenker)
Readings: one of the following three:
Introductory-level: Schlenker, Visible Logic: Sign Language and Pronouns (= chapter 2 of What it All Means; preprint in the Dropbox folder)
Schlenker, Visible Meaning
Shorter alternative: Schlenker, Logical Visibility and Iconicity in Sign Language Semantics: Theoretical Perspectives
Note: This class will be focused on the interaction between iconic and logical representations. For a detailed discussion of cases of Logical Visibility (= cases in which sign languages make some key aspects of LFs overt), see the readings.
Class 2: Tuesday 19th July
Class 2: Tuesday 19th July
2A. Logic and iconicity in sign language (Schlenker, continued)
2B. Typology of iconic enrichments in speech and in sign (Schlenker)
Readings: one of the following two:
Introductory-level: Schlenker, chapters 12 of What it All Means (preprint in the Dropbox folder)
Schlenker, Iconic Pragmatics
Optional: Tieu et al., Co-speech gesture projection: evidence from inferential judgments
For later: Esipova 2019
Introduction
Naomi Francis (Uni. Oslo)
Gestural meanings from the perspective of primatology and linguistics
Catherine Hobaiter (Uni. St. Andrews) & Pritty Patel-Grosz (Uni. Oslo)
Visual meaning from the perspective of philosophy and linguistics
Gabriel Greenberg (UCLA) & Philippe Schlenker (IJN, CNRS; NYU)
Approaching emoji from the perspective of psychology and linguistics
Elsi Kaiser (Uni. Southern California) & Patrick G. Grosz (Uni. Oslo)
Class 3: Thursday 21st July
Class 3: Thursday 21st July
3. Gestural semantics (Schlenker) [time permitting]
Readings: one of the following three:
Introductory-level: Schlenker, chapters 14 of What it All Means (preprint in the Dropbox folder)
Experimental: Tieu et al. 2019, Linguistic Inferences Without Words
Theoretical: Schlenker 2019, Gestural Semantics
Class 4: Friday 22nd July
4A. Semantics of narrative dance (Patel-Grosz)
Readings:
Patel-Grosz et al (to appear): Steps towards a semantics of dance. Journal of Semantics. [LingBuzz]
Optional:
Abusch (2013): Applying Discourse Semantics and Pragmatics to Co-reference in Picture Sequences [Published version]
Charnavel (2019): Steps Toward a Universal Grammar of Dance [Published version]
Napoli and Kraus, Suggestions for a parametric theory of dance
4B. Narrative structure in Electronic Dance Music (Patel-Grosz)
Readings:
Solberg & Dibben (2019): Peak experiences with electronic dance music
Optional:
Cohn (2018): In defense of a “grammar” in the visual language of comics
Solberg & Jensenius (2016): Pleasurable and Intersubjectively Embodied Experiences of Electronic Dance Music
Solberg & Jensenius (2017): Group behaviour and interpersonal synchronization to electronic dance music
4C. Conclusion (Patel-Grosz)