In addition to its regular activities, the Center has been pursuing research projects with external funding. Listed below are the main projects since the Center's establishment in 2003.
National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics (NINJAL)
Collaborative Research Project
"Generative Perspectives on the Syntax and Acquisition of Japanese" (2016 ~ 2020)
"Linguistic Variations within the Confines of the Language Faculty: A Study
in Japanese First Language Acquisition and Parametric Syntax" (2010 ~ 2014)
This project investigates the acquisition process of Japanese, based on the study of Japanese syntax in comparative perspective, and by doing so, pursues new insights into the nature of the parameters that make variations among languages possible.
International Collaborative Research Project on Comparative Syntax
and Language Acquisition
(Funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education and Science for 2008 ~ 2013)
We pursue the comparative syntax of Japanese and various other languages with our joint researchers abroad. The project aims to contribute to the understanding of the parameters that explain the variations observed among languages.
International Collaborative Research Curriculum
The Graduate Program in Linguistic Science
(Funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education and Science for 2006 ~ 2008)
The Graduate Program in Linguistic Science supports international collaborative research among the students by offering joint advanced seminars and hosting joint workshops with its consortium partners, University of Cambridge, University of Siena, University of Connecticut, Hyderabad EFL University, and National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan). The Center is deeply involved in this project and supports it in various ways.
Individual Research Projects with Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
(Funded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)
From Hate Speech to Hope Speech: An Inquiry into Future-Oriented Linguistic Environments
(2022 ~ 2025, Principal Investigator: Yu Izumi)
The Acquisition of Syntactic Structure
(2020 ~ 2023, Principal Investigator: Keiko Murasugi)
Phase and Transfer Domains: Implications from the Comparative Syntax of the Locality of Anaphor Binding and Movement
(2019 ~ 2023, Principal Investigator: Mamoru Saito)
A Philosophy of Language Approach to Understanding Hate Speech
(2018 ~ 2021, Principal Investigator: Yu Izumi)
Generative Perspectives on the Syntax and Acquisition of Japanese
(2017 ~ 2020, Principal Investigator: Keiko Murasugi)
Exploration in the Labeling Theory with Comparative Syntax of Japanese and Other Languages
(2016 ~ 2019, Principal Investigator: Mamoru Saito)
We attempt to formulate the parameters that define Japanese grammar in terms of labeling. The consequences for the θ-criterion/full interpretation and the nature of semantic selection will also be explored.
Typology of the Secondary Predicates
(2014 ~ 2017, Principal Investigator: Ryosuke Shibagaki)
We aim at offering an account of secondary predicates in the languages such as Japanese, Mongolian, Chinese and Korean. We analyse the secondary predicates of each language from the point of view of syntax and lexical semantics, and by comparing the results of each language we attempt to understand the secondary predicates as the product of natural language.
On the Roles of Selection and Semantics/Pragmatics in the Formation and Interpretation of Phrase Structure
(2013 ~ 2016, Principal Investigator: Mamoru Saito)
Assuming the minimal operation 'Merge', we explore the roles of morphological and semantic selection as well as semantic and discourse compatibility in the formation and interpretation of phrase structure.
The Acquisition of Functional Categories and the Implications for Grammatical Theory
(2008 ~ 2011, Principal Investigator: Keiko Murasugi)
This project investigates the acquisition process of functional categories such as T and C, and aims to contribute to the theory of parameters from acquisition research.
Case Studies in Comparative Syntax: Movement and Noun Phrase Structure
(2008 ~ 2012, Principal Investigator: Mamoru Saito)
This project pursues the universal properties of syntactic structure by investigating various topics in comparative syntax, including the left periphery and noun phrase structure.
Markedness in Modern Linguistic Theory: Studies in Syntax and Acquisition
(2005 ~ 2008, Principal Investigator: Keiko Murasugi)
This project investigates markedness in parameter setting through comparative research on the acquisition of argument structure and its syntactic realization.
On the Role of Formal and Semantic Features in the Formation and Interpretation of Syntactic Chains
(2005 ~ 2008, Principal Investigator: Mamoru Saito)
This project proposes a feature-based chain interpretation mechanism, and presents an analysis for the semantic effects of operator movement, NP-movement, and scrambling.
A Comparative Study of Scramblings
(2001 ~ 2004, Principal Investigator: Mamoru Saito)
This project aims to pinpoint the unique properties of Japanese scrambling through comparative research, and to develop the movement theory based on its analysis.
