Belgium: PhD Typology at University of Antwerp

Institution/ Organization: University of Antwerp
Department: Center for Grammar, Cognition, and Typology
Web Address: http://webh01. ua.ac.be/ cgct/

Level: PhD

Specialty Areas: Typology

Description:

The ‘Jespersen Cycles’ project aims to investigate what has been called the
‘Jespersen Cycle’ on a world wide scale. In simplified terms, this cycle
concerns the renewal of negative markers such as we find it in French, which
started with ‘ne’, inherited from Latin, then somehow strengthened ‘ne’ with
‘pas’, yielding a doubling strategy (’ne ? pas’), and is returning to a simple
strategy, dropping ‘ne’ and keeping ‘pas’. Related developments occur with
negative pronouns (’nobody’ etc.) and adverbs (’never’ etc.). These processes
have attracted a lot of attention and are currently again an important topic, in
both formal and functional approaches to language change, in general, and
grammaticalization, in particular. Most of the work, however, has concentrated
on Europe and the Mediterranean, though there is non-systematic evidence that
the Jespersen Cycle(s) is/are attested elsewhere. The goal is to collect and
interpret world wide typological data on Jespersen cycle(s). The perspective is
functional-typologi cal and diachronic (even when diachronic data are lacking and
one has to resort to comparative synchronic data). A position paper, which aims
to show that there is more variation than commonly assumed and thus justifies
the plural ‘Cycles’ in the title of the project, can be downloaded at
http://webh01. ua.ac.be/ vdauwera/ publications. html.

The project has a vacancy for two predocs. The project will run for four years,
starting at a negotiable date before July 1 2009. The candidates are expected to
complete a Ph.D. thesis by the end of the four year project.

The successful applicant has a Master’s degree in Linguistics or a related
field, excellent analytic skills, writing and presentation skills in English,
and a good knowledge of other languages. (S)he shows an interest in functional
typology and is willing to work as part of a team. Research experience and
publications are a plus.

Application Deadline: 31-Jan-2009

Mailing Address for Applications:
Attn: Johan van der Auwera
University of Antwerp
Prinsstraat 13
Antwerp B-2000
Belgium

Contact Information:
Johan van der Auwera
johan.vanderauwera@ ua.ac.be
Phone:32-2-2450512