Producing and understanding creative word formations (C01)

• Subject Area: General and Comparative Linguistics, Experimental Linguistics, Typology, Non-European Languages ; Applied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 512393437

C01 investigates the underlying cognitive processes involved in the production and comprehension of novel word formations like Dunkelflaute (lit. `dark wind lull’, `neither wind nor sunlight’) or Juniversum (a blend of June and universe). Combined experimentation will link the two processing sides, e.g., by using elicited productions as stimuli for comprehension experiments. We examine the role of individual differences in cognition by comparing creative language use in speaker groups with different cognitive capacities (e.g., mono-/multilingual speakers, speakers with/without cognitive impairment), thus allowing linguistic creativity to be integrated into psycholinguistic models.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1646: Linguistic Creativity in Communication
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bielefeld
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Joana Cholin; Dr. Jana Häussler