Polarity
We discuss various aspects of polarity (i.e., issues related to negation and affirmation) from a typological and theoretical perspective, as well as from the viewpoint of acquisition, processing, evolution, and grammaticalization. All these domains will be studied cross-modally, drawing on data from spoken languages, sign languages, and co-speech gesture.
Key objectives (scientific and impact)
- Contribute to the understanding of cross-modal expression of a universal domain of grammar.
- Offering a comprehensive view on polarity by integrating different subdisciplines of linguistic, such as processing, acquisition, and emergence.
- Promoting research on understudied and minority languages, including sign languages.
- Organization of a workshop and corresponding joint publication (ca. fall 2026).
Events
The group will meet regularly (online), every 2-3 weeks, on Friday morning.
Impact
Our group discussions will touch upon empirical, theoretical, and societal matters, thereby creating impact in these domains. By paying special attention to under-described languages, we will contribute to a deeper understanding of typological variation and cross-linguistic patterns in polarity phenomena.
Coordinator and group members
coordinators: Eva van Lier & Roland Pfau
Members (in alphabetical order):
Enoch Aboh, Cindy van Boven, Hongmei Fang, René Genis, Kees Hengeveld, Lois Kemp, Olga Krasnoukhova, Eva van Lier, Hella Olbertz, Roland Pfau, Ezra la Roi, Katherine Walker