NETWORDS - The European Network on Word Structure

Cross-disciplinary approaches to understanding word structure in the languages of Europe

NetWordS is a European Science Foundation Research Networking Programme

Almost all levels of language knowledge and processing (from phonology, to syntax and semantics) are known to be affected by knowledge of word structure at varying degrees. A better understanding of the human strategies involved in learning and processing word structure thus lies at the heart of our comprehension of the basic mechanisms serving language and is key to addressing fundamental challenges for the study of the physiology of grammar and cognition.

By bringing together experts of various research fields (from brain sciences and computing to cognition and linguistics) and of different theoretical inclinations, NetWordS aims at advancing the current awareness of theoretical, typological, psycholinguistic, computational and neurophysiological evidence on the structure and processing of words, with a view to promoting novel methods of research and assessment for grammar architecture and language physiology. The programme is pursued through knowledge networking, dissemination and transfer organised over a four year period, from May 2011 to April 2015.

At present, NetWordS gathers 15 European countries and more than 40 research institutions. Thanks to its highly interdisciplinary profile, the programme promotes training of young scientists through short visits and exchange grants, encourages the novel integration of existing methodologies, sets common research priorities, and fosters virtual cross-disciplinary laboratories, partnerships and research infrastructures.

Collaboration in NetWordS unfolds through the following activities:

♦ discuss and develop consensual word representations in context

♦ establish common experimental protocols and suggest novel ones

♦ take stock of and integrate multilingual evidence based on the large array of European languages spoken and investigated in the Network

♦ transfer best practice in use of new computational and statistical techniques for lexicon modeling

♦ share experimental data, software and equipment

♦ facilitate, through community building, the development of optimum cross-disciplinary and cross-linguistic research strategies

♦ prompt and extend collaboration between partners

♦ link European activities with the wider community world-wide.

read more...