Negation beyond language: Interactions between verbal and nonverbal negation (C03)

• Subject Area: Applied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 509468465

In this project, negation is investigated as a multimodal phenomenon, i.e., in speech and in speech-accompanying bodily expressions such as manual gestures, head shaking, and facial expressions. Taking a psycholinguistic and cognitive-oriented processing perspective, we address comprehension aspects of nonverbal negation from the listener’s perspective. We examine the types and functions of nonverbal negation and their integration with verbal negation in both German-speaking adults and children. Moreover, we aim to open our investigations to the speaker’s perspective and investigate aspects of adults’ usage of nonverbal and verbal negation to identify the contexts in which verbal and nonverbal negation is used.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1629: Negation in language and beyond (NegLaB)
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Heads: Dr. Carolin Dudschig, since 1/2024; Dr. Merle Weicker, since 1/2024