Description

Thom Scott-Phillips (Central European University): "Unity & diversity in human expression"

Monday, July 5, 2021. 11:00 am.Venue: online.

Abstract:

Humans inform others in a wide variety of ways, from ordinary language use to painting, from exaggerated displays of affection to micro-movements that aid coordination. Drawing on Relevance Theory, I shall motivate and elaborate the claim that this diversity is united by an interrelated suite of cognitive capacities, the functions of which are the expression and recognition of informative intentions. I will also suggest that people exploit audience presumptions of relevance in an efficient way in language use and often in other domains too, extending beyond how communication is ordinarily construed. More broadly, I will introduce myself and my broader research interests, in anticipation of my application to the Ikerbasque call for new permanent researchers.