UO TALK WILL EXAMINE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION
Feb. 3, 1999
Contact: Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129 or Rachel Hunsinger (541) 346-3950
EUGENE–Tom Givón, considered a major voice in the development of linguistic theory, will give a public lecture, "On the Co-Evolution of Language, Mind and Brain," on Monday, Feb. 22, on the University of Oregon campus.
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the Institute of Cognitive and Decision Sciences are cosponsoring Givón’s lecture, which is free and open to the public. A reception will follow. The talk begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge at Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St.
The lecture will examine the evolution of human communication from the perspective of five disciplines: evolutionary biology, neurology, cognitive psychology, linguistics and anthropology.
Givón, a UO professor of linguistics and cognitive science, is one of the co-founders of the Institute for Cognitive and Decision Sciences. His research and teaching encompass syntax, semantics, pragmatics, discourse, grammatical typology and language universals, philosophy of language, language acquisition and language evolution. His recent work investigates the cognitive foundations of language use–including studies of chimpanzees’ capacity for syntax.
Givón is one of three UO faculty members who were named 1998-99 CAS Distinguished Professor award recipients. The award is presented annually by the college to honor one professor each in the humanities, physical sciences and social sciences for his or her scholarly achievements.
Other 1998-99 CAS Distinguished Professor award recipients are Jim Mohr, a professor of history who spoke during Fall Term, and Frank Stahl, a professor of biology and member of the Institute of Molecular Biology. Stahl will present his public lecture on April 20.
For more information, contact the College of Arts and Sciences Development Office, (541)
346-3950.
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