Time-based data models and the Text Encoding Initiative’s guidelines for transcription of speech
Thomas Schmidt · Publication Server of the Institute for German Language (Institute for German Language) · 2005
The Research Center on Multilingualism currently comprises 14 research projects investigating linguistic aspects of bi-and multilingualism.The research areas focus on microanalyses of oral and written communication in multilingual settings and in language development in the bilingual individual.This work starts from the assumptions that human cognition predisposes the individual to become multilingual, that the knowledge of more than one language increases communicative possibilities rather than decreasing them, and that diachronic studies of multilingualism can lead to a better understanding of contemporary situations and to solutions for emerging problems.In order to put these claims to the test, cognitive as well as cultural studies have been designed by which specific hypotheses, based on these assumptions, are examined empirically.The multilingual settings studied include social as well as family bilingualism, postcolonial situations as well as ones resulting from labor migration, and also contexts where more than one language is used in education or at the workplace, at home or during extended or short-term stays in a foreign country.The languages studied include Basque, Danish, English, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and several diachronic and regional varieties of some of these.By comparing an array of linguistically, culturally, and socially diverse settings, the aim is to identify general as well as situation-specific factors favoring multilingualism or rendering it more difficult for the individual and for society.The 14 research projects of the second phase of research (2002-2005) are listed on the next to last page.The Center is organized into four groups.Group K, Multilingual communication, investigates the production and comprehension of multilingual language use in various social, cultural and institutional contexts.Group E, Acquisition of Multilingualism, investigates the simultaneous acquisition of more than one first language and successive acquisition of several languages, contrasting both to monolingual first language development.In addition acquisition impairments in bilinguals are examined.Group H, Historical Aspects of Multilingualism, is concerned with the ontogenesis and with diachronic change of multilingualism.In Group Z, Central Administration, a multilingual database is being developed.