NCCR Evolving Language
2020 series
Home institutions: University of Zurich, University of Geneva
Language is what distinguishes human beings from all other species. However, its evolutionary origins remain poorly understood. In addition, today's communicative environment is being reshaped by digitalisation and artificial intelligence: the way we learn and use language has changed, raising the question of how language might develop in the future. The National Centre of Competence in Research "The Origins and Future of Language" (NCCR Evolving Language) explores the evolutionary origins and future development of linguistic communication in a transdisciplinary research programme encompassing linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, biology, anthropology, medicine, genetics, computer science, mathematics and philosophy. The NCCR is structured into three main themes: Dynamic structures of language, Biological substrates of language, and Social cognition of language. These three lines of research are complemented by Transversal Task Forces, which stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration by sharing methods, databases, technologies and equipment, and by fostering discussions on conceptual and ethical issues.
Further information on the NCCR:
Contact details
NCCR-Directorate
Prof. Dr. Balthasar Bickel
Director
Universität Zürich
Institut für vergleichende Sprachwissenschaft
Affolternstrasse 56
8050 Zürich
Phone: +41 (0) 44 634 02 20
Email: balthasar.bickel@uzh.chProf. Anne-Lise Giraud
Co-director
Université de Genève
Département des Neurosciences fondamentales
CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet
1211 Genève 4
Phone: +41 (0) 22 379 55 47
Email: anne-lise.giraud@unige.chNCCR‐Management
NCCR Evolving Language
Affolternstrasse 56
8050 Zürich
Phone: +41 (0) 44 634 02 35
Email: admin@evolvinglanguage.chFunding
Funding 2020 – 2023 (Swiss francs)
Funding source
2020-2023
SNSF grant*
16'993’200
Funds of University of Zurich*
10’371’000
Funds of University of Geneva*
6’780’000
Group funds of the project participants
1’390’417
External funds
--
NCCRs are financed through grants awarded by the SNSF, but also from other sources. The home institution involved in the NCCR also contributes a substantial amount of money. The available overall budget of the NCCR is further increased by monetary contributions from the project participants and third-party funds, which are generally invested by industrial companies.
Contact SNSF
Contact person at the SNSF:
Thomas Griessen
NCCR team
Swiss National Science Foundation
Wildhainweg 3
3001 Bern
Phone +41 (0) 31 308 23 51
Email: thomas.griessen@snf.ch