Our Summer Studying Shamans, the Mayan calendar, and the Kaqchikel Language
Is it possible to learn a new language well enough in just two weeks to conduct linguistic research on it? This is an entirely standard practice for linguists, according to Sasha Kozhukhar and Liza Vostokova, both students in the Linguistic Theory and Language Description master’s programme. This past summer, Sasha and Liza went on an expedition to Guatemala to study Kaqchikel, an indigenous Mayan language.
Dutch Linguistics Expert to Offer Lecture on Language and Cognition
What causes variation between languages, and what do they have in common? How is language embedded in our general cognitive system? These are some of the questions that Eric Reuland, Faculty Professor of Language and Cognition at the Utrecht Institute of Linguistics (OTS) (Utrecht University), will address in a lecture course entitled ‘Syntactic approaches to anaphora’ that will be held at HSE Moscow from September 12 till 22, 2016. Professor Reuland recently spoke with the HSE news service about his research interests, his upcoming visit to Moscow, and some books he recommends for those interested in gaining exposure to the field of linguistics.
Linguistics School Students’ Expedition to Guatemala
Elizaveta Vostokova and Alexandra Kozhukhar, students at the School of Linguistics, took part in the expedition to Guatemala in June 2016. The event was organized by the University of Maryland and was dedicated to research into the Kaqchikel Maya people. The expedition was led by Maria Polinsky, Professor of Linguistics, Omer Preminger, Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics, and Pedro Mateo, Assistant Research Professor at the Maryland Language Science Center. During the first two weeks of the expedition, the participants studied the Kaqchikel language, the rest of the time they spent working with native speakers.
New Master’s Programme in Theoretical Linguistics to Start at HSE
A new English-taught master’s programme ‘Linguistic Theory and Language Description’ starts in the new academic year. Ekaterina Rakhilina, Head of the School of Linguistics, told us about some details of the programme, project work and the potential for international cooperation.
Learn How to Make a Difference
Marina Chashko, HSE student on Master’s Programme in Foreign Languages and Cross-cultural Communication, has participated in the first University Model United Nations in Venice as a representative of the New Zealand delegation in the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee. Marina has talked about her experience and explained why taking part in MUN is critical for all young people interested in the current international situation, even for linguists.
Dutch Student Investigates Languages of the Caucasus
Samira Verhees, a Ghent University alumna and doctoral student at the HSE School of Linguistics, spoke about her Caucasian studies.
Trees, Rainfall and Consonants: On Language and Environment
From November 14 - 24th a series of lectures on 'Diversity and Uniformity in Linguistic Sound Systems' by Ian Maddieson, Adjunct Research Professor at the University of New Mexico, Adjunct Professor Emeritus at the University of California was held at the HSE School of Linguistics. The course was dedicated to the phonetic diversity of languages and included eight lectures. During the series, Professor Maddieson talked to HSE English News Editor, Anna Chernyakhovskaya’s questions about his research into the relations between language and environment.
American Linguistics Student Finds Fresh Ideas and Innovation at HSE
Jon Rawski came to HSE last year to study in the Master's programme Cognitive Sciences and Technologies: From Neuron to Cognition. He finds the programme, which is taught in English, to be quite satisfying because it is new – it was launched in September 2014 – and is filled with fresh ideas. The programme brings together a talented group of researchers who enjoy a considerable level of support from the university.
‘Teaching Linguistics to Russian Students – A Real Pleasure’
One of the founders of formal semantics, Professor Barbara Partee of the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently celebrated an anniversary at the Higher School of Economics. For approximately 20 years, she has been teaching at various universities in Russia. This year, she took part in the Summer School on Pronouns: Syntax, Semantics, Processing, which was organized by the School of Linguistics at HSE. Professor Partee recently spoke with the HSE news service about why she considers the linguistics programme at HSE to be one of the best in Russia, as well as about the differences she sees between Russian and American students.
Understanding the Evolution and Acquisition of Cognitive Systems through Language and Music
On April 27 John F. Bailyn, Professor at the Department of Linguistics, State University of New York will speak on ‘Language, Fire, Music and Chess: Thoughts on the Evolution and Acquisition of Cognitive Systems’. The event is organized by HSE School of Linguistics. An expert on the workings of the linguistic component of the mind, Professor Bailyn recently spoke with the HSE news service about his upcoming lecture and research interests, as well as his experience studying Russian, his favourite music and a host of other topics.