Shape in Language and Cognition
The SHAPE in Language and Cognition
Research Project Shape is a major feature of the visual world: it determines how we perceive and store information about objects, how we interact with them, and how languages encode them. From grammatical gender systems that classify objects by shape, to the hands of sign language users representing the visuo-geometric properties of real-world referents, to children using shape as a key cue in word learning, the relationship between visual perception and linguistic representation is rich, multifaceted, and likely bidirectional.
The Inaugural Colloquium
Bringing together invited speakers from six partner universities in Europe and North America, the event explores how shape is encoded in spoken and signed languages, the factors constraining cross-linguistic variation, and the bidirectional relationship between spatial cognition and language across development and linguistic diversity.
The program featured keynotes talks, panels discussions and moderated round tables. On Monday June 8, an open reception will follow the afternoon session (free, no registration required). Tuesday June 9 will continue with invited talks and conclude with a closing round table.
Program
June 8
- 14:30: Welcome addresses
- 15:00: Shape in spoken & signed languages across the world Pamela Perniss & Frank Seifart
- 15:30: Shape in vision & cognitive development Linda B. Smith & Mila Vulchanova
- 16:00 : Round table: visual perception of shape & language With Östen Dahl, Jenny Saffran, Inge-Marie Eigsti, Jim Magnuson & Larissa Samuelson
- 17:00-19:00 : Reception - all welcome Salons Borel et de Tassy
June 9
- 13:45 : Shape perception: beyond feed-forward theories Mary Peterson - Univ. of Arizona
- 14:30 Inheritance & diffusion of ungrounded concepts John Mansfield - Univ. of Zurich
- 15:15 Conventionalisation of tool labels in homesign Marie Coppola - Univ. of Connecticut
- 16:00 Round table: shape, diversity & sign language With Karla McGregor, Lynn Perry, Kenny Coventry, Jürgen Bohnemeyer & Caroline Larson
