Mapping complexity in language

Objective

"This project addresses a fundamental paradox in linguistic theory: different components of grammar appear to rely on conflicting notions of structural complexity. For instance, the way nouns are inflected for number (e.g., singular/plural) suggests that plural forms are more complex than singular ones. However, the way these forms pragmatically compete to create meaning (e.g., implying ""exactly one"") suggests the opposite. This indicates that the processes governing pronunciation (morphological spell-out) and meaning (pragmatic competition) are sensitive to different types of complexity. The project's main objective is to resolve this paradox by developing a more nuanced, unified theory of linguistic complexity. This will be achieved through three steps. First, we will conduct a large-scale, cross-linguistic investigation to map the notion of complexity relevant to morphological spell-out, expanding beyond number to phenomena like case and pronouns. Second, we will critically examine and refine the theory of pragmatic alternatives to map the notion of complexity relevant to meaning competition. Finally, we will synthesize these findings into a single, coherent formal model that explains how different grammatical components access different levels of morphosyntactic structure. This research will significantly advance our understanding of the architecture of the human language faculty. By providing a more precise model of the interface between syntax, phonology, and semantics, the project will make key contributions to linguistic theory. In the long term, these fundamental insights can inform the development of more sophisticated and human-like language technologies in fields such as Natural Language Processing. The combined expertise of the applicant and the supervisor is highly suitable for the project: the applicant has a rich background in semantic competition, while the supervisor is a world-renowned expert on the internal structure of words."