CreteLing-2023-Super Linguistics

Introduction to Super Linguistics

CreteLing 2023

Pritty Patel-Grosz

(Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo)

Philippe Schlenker 

(LINGUAE, Institut Jean-Nicod, CNRS; New York University)

July 17-28, 2023 - 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 (i) iconicity in signs, gestures, facial expressions and emojis (Week 1) and (ii) animal linguistics (Week 2). 

In so doing, we connect these newly established objects of study to more traditional objects ones, in particular, (i) formal semantic modeling of iconicity in both spoken and signed natural languages, and (ii) basic arguments for or against compositionality and implicatures in an unfamiliar area (animal communication).  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: 

Patel-Grosz, Pritty, Salvador Mascarenhas, Emmanuel Chemla, Philippe Schlenker (to appear in Linguistics & Philosophy).  Super Linguistics: an Introduction. [LingBuzz]

Schlenker, Philippe (2019). What is Super Semantics? Philosophical Perspectives [LingBuzz] [Published version]

Material for the class (readings, slides) will either (i) be linked to the sessions below, or (ii) be made available in this Dropbox folder.

Note: There will be a course on Evolution and Language  in Week 1, taught by  Shigeru Miyagawa & Ian Tattersall.

Instructor emails

Patel-Grosz: pritty.patel-grosz@iln.uio.no

Schlenker: philippe.schlenker@gmail.com

Sessions

Week 1: Meaning in the visual modality

Class 1: Monday 17th July, 2023

Combining Logical and Pictorial Semantics I: LFs with viewpoint variables (Schlenker)

Readings: one of the following three:

Introductory-level: Schlenker, Chapter 2 of What it All Means  (preprint in the Dropbox folder)

Schlenker, Visible Meaning (long)

Shorter alternative: Schlenker,  Logical Visibility and Iconicity in Sign Language Semantics: Theoretical Perspectives 

Note: This class will focus 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 18th July, 2023

Combining Logical and Pictorial Semantics II: Iconic Syntax (Schlenker)

Entirely optional: Schlenker et al. Iconic Syntax (to appear, Linguistics & Philosophy)

Class 3: Thursday 20th July, 2023

Interactive gestures: case studies THROW and FLING (Patel-Grosz)
Readings: 

Francis et al (2023), THROW 

Class 4: Friday 21st July, 2023

Super Linguistics of emojis: five case studies in emoji linguistics (Patel-Grosz)

Readings:

Fugate et al., Implications for emotion

Grosz et al., A semantics of face emoji in discourse

Grosz et al., Discourse anaphoricity vs. perspective sensitivity 

Maier (to appear), Emojis as pictures

Week 2: Meaning in animal communication (and beyond)

Note (July 24, 2023): The sessions below have been re-ordered. The content of the sessions is unaffected. 

Class 5: Monday 24th July, 2023

Monkey semantics: Are there monkey implicatures? (Schlenker)

Readings: one of the following three:

Introductory-level: Schlenker, chapters 14 of What it All Means (preprint in the Dropbox folder)

Short: Schlenker et al. What do monkey calls mean?

Long: Schlenker et al. Formal Monkey Linguistics

Class 6: Tuesday 25th July, 2023

Bird semantics: Is there compositionality in bird calls? (Schlenker)

Readings:  Schlenker et al., The ABC-D of Animal Linguistics: Are Syntax and Compositionality for Real?

Class 7: Thursday 27th July, 2023

Ape gestures: experiments and determining core meanings  (Patel-Grosz)

Readings:

Patel-Grosz, The search for Universal primate gestural meanings

Henderson, Grosz, Graham, Hobaiter, Patel-Grosz, Shared semantics: exploring the interface between human and chimpanzee gestural communication

Patel-Grosz et al., Primate origins of discourse managing gestures: the case of hand fling. 

Class 8: Friday 28th July, 2023

Towards a formal linguistic analysis of dance in the primate family  (Patel-Grosz)

Readings: 

Douglas et al., Pointing and Pantomine in wild apes? Female bonobos use referential and iconic gestures to request genito-genital rubbing

Fan et al., Rhythmic displays of female gibbons offer insight into the origin of dance

Hattori et al., Rhythmic swaying induced by sound in chimpanzees

Solberg et al., Pleasurable and Intersubjectively Embodied Experiences of Electronic Dance Music

Solberg et al., Waiting for the bass to drop

Solberg et al., Group behaviour and interpersonal synchronization to electronic dance music

Turrell et al., When tension is exciting

Turrell et al., Wait for it