Psycho- and neurolinguistic approaches to the grammar-lexicon distinction

Aim and background

The distinction between lexical and grammatical expressions can be traced all the way back to Aristotle. Nowadays it can be explored from many different perspectives. The aim of this workshop is to bring together psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, linguistics and other disciplines to discuss the distinction between grammar and lexicon. The workshop covers the following topics:

  • Various experimental methods of studying grammar and lexicon distinction (e.g. behavioural, EEG, fMRI, etc.)
  • Language perception as well as production in all modalities (writing, speaking, reading, listening)

Topics of special interest are:

  • The relation between the grammar-lexicon distinction and the distinction between representation and processing
  • The relation between the grammar-lexicon distinction and information prominence
  • The relation between the grammar-lexicon distinction and cognitive resources, such as working memory
  • What are the processing differences between production of grammatical and production of lexical items? Are these differences similar to differences pertaining to perception of grammatical and lexical items?
  • What are the neural correlates of the lexicon-grammar distinction?
  • Are agrammatic symptoms better accounted for in terms of specific linguistic disorders or in terms of pure processing deficits?
  • Are there modality-specific processing differences between grammar and lexicon?
  • Should the linguistic definition of grammar be revisited in the light of psycho- and neurolinguistic evidence?
  • What are the constraints of modern neuroimaging techniques with regards to such language studies?

Program

Program of the workshop is to be downloaded here.

Confirmed invited speakers

  • F.-Xavier Alario, Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, CNRS & Aix-Marseille Université.
  • Roelien Bastiaanse, University Groningen. 
  • David Caplan, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital.
  • Gesa Hartwigsen, Kiel University.

Organizer

This workshop is organized by the research group ProGram at the University Copenhagen. ProGram is dedicated to investigating the grammar-lexicon distinction from neurolinguistic, psycholinguistic and aphasiological perspectives. 

Organizing Committee

Violaine Michel Lange

Byurakn Ishkhanyan

Kasper Boye

Registration

Please register for the workshop following one of the links below before September 6th 2015.

Workshop with lunch and coffee/tea all days

Workshop with lunch and coffee/tea all days + boat trip in Nyhavn

Workshop with lunch and coffee/tea all days + conference dinner

Workshop with lunch and coffee/tea all days + conference dinner + boat trip in Nyhavn

Workshop - special price for students (free participation to the workshop + coffee)

Practical information

Please find relevant practical information here.