Home institutions: University of Zurich, University of Geneva
The NCCR “Evolving Language” is researching the evolution of language more broadly than any other research centre to date. The NCCR is using an interdisciplinary approach bringing together research groups from the humanities (linguistics, philosophy), biology, neurosciences, psychology and computer sciences.
Researchers are focusing on three issues: firstly, the dynamics of language structures and their evolution; then the biological prerequisites for language, including the related question of whether and how neurotechnologies could or should be used to influence language capabilities; and lastly, the social meaning of language and how it is likely to change with new means of communication.
The NCCR promises innovations and transfer services in medical fields (e.g. diagnosis and treatment of speech disorders) and in the application of digital instruments (human-machine communication, artificial intelligence, complex voice recognition).
Contact details
NCCR Directorate
NCCR Director
Prof. Balthasar Bickel
NCCR Evolving Language
University of Zurich
Tel.
+41 (0)44 634 21 85![]( "Anrufen: +41 (0)44 634 21 85")
![]( "Anrufen: +41 (0)44 634 21 85")
E-Mail:
balthasar.bickel@uzh.ch
Co-Director
Prof. Anne-Lise Giraud
NCCR Evolving Language
University of Geneva
Campus Biotech
Tel.
+41 (0) 22 379 55 47![]( "Anrufen: +41 (0) 22 379 55 47")
E-Mail:
Anne-Lise.Giraud@unige.ch
Funding
Funding 2020 – 2023 (Swiss Francs):
| Time-frame |
|---|
|
Funding source | 2020 – 2023 |
| SNSF grant | 17'000’000 |
| Total funding available | 34'600’000 |
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.