HKUHKUFacebookEmail

Conference and workshops

4 12, 2025

Bottom-up modeling of phoneme learning: Universal sensitivity and language-specific transformation” published in Speech Communication

2025-12-06T12:28:42+08:00

“Bottom-up modeling of phoneme learning: Universal sensitivity and language-specific transformation” published in Speech Communication We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper titled “Bottom-up modeling of phoneme learning: Universal sensitivity and language-specific transformation” in the journal Speech Communication. This study was conducted by Frank and Youngah. The research investigates the emergence and development of universal phonetic sensitivity during early phonological learning using an unsupervised modeling approach. The authors trained autoencoder models on raw acoustic input from English and Mandarin to simulate bottom-up perceptual development, focusing on phoneme contrast learning. The results demonstrate that phoneme-like categories and feature-aligned [...]

Bottom-up modeling of phoneme learning: Universal sensitivity and language-specific transformation” published in Speech Communication2025-12-06T12:28:42+08:00
17 10, 2025

[Linguistics Seminar on 6 Nov] Cross-linguistic perceptual evidence for the suffixing preference

2025-10-17T01:09:55+08:00

Cross-linguistic perceptual evidence for the suffixing preference Date: 6 Nov 2025 (Thu) Time: 4:00 pm Join Zoom link: https://hku.zoom.us/j/98370566345?pwd=FHgSMHHyYrjCka4XRAOOw6uuOXiRiE.1 MEETING ID: 983 7056 6345 PASSWORD: 104306

[Linguistics Seminar on 6 Nov] Cross-linguistic perceptual evidence for the suffixing preference2025-10-17T01:09:55+08:00
19 09, 2025

“Attention-LSTM autoencoder simulation for phonotactic learning from raw audio input” published in Linguistics Vanguard

2025-09-19T11:41:30+08:00

“Attention-LSTM autoencoder simulation for phonotactic learning from raw audio input” published in Linguistics Vanguard We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper by Frank Lihui Tan and Youngah Do in the journal Linguistics Vanguard. The paper, titled “Attention-LSTM autoencoder simulation for phonotactic learning from raw audio input,” explores a novel approach to phonotactic learning using an attention-based long short-term memory (LSTM) autoencoder trained on raw audio input. Unlike previous models that rely on abstract phonological representations, this study simulates early phonotactic acquisition stages by processing continuous acoustic signals. The research focuses on an English phonotactic pattern, specifically [...]

“Attention-LSTM autoencoder simulation for phonotactic learning from raw audio input” published in Linguistics Vanguard2025-09-19T11:41:30+08:00
4 09, 2025

Phonological optimization for sight and sound: Disentangling visual-articulatory and auditory-acoustic factors in phonetic enhancement and hyperarticulation

2025-09-04T17:30:33+08:00

Phonological optimization for sight and sound: Disentangling visual-articulatory and auditory-acoustic factors in phonetic enhancement and hyperarticulation General Research Fund Award (GRF), 2025-28 Principal investigator: Jonathan Havenhill Amount: 941,184 HKD Abstract Sound is arguably the primary (and often only) medium by which spoken language is conveyed. This allows communication to proceed when the speaker is obscured, whether over the phone, in the dark, at a distance, or when wearing a face mask. At the same time, vision and other types of non-auditory perception are also important. Spoken language is often accompanied by facial expressions and manual gestures, and the ability to [...]

Phonological optimization for sight and sound: Disentangling visual-articulatory and auditory-acoustic factors in phonetic enhancement and hyperarticulation2025-09-04T17:30:33+08:00
2 09, 2025

“Tonal Assignment of Chinese Lettered Words” published in Journal of Chinese Linguistics

2025-09-02T09:53:29+08:00

“Tonal Assignment of Chinese Lettered Words” published in Journal of Chinese Linguistics We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper by Zhihao Wang and Youngah Do in the Journal of Chinese Linguistics. The paper, titled “Tonal Assignment of Chinese Lettered Words,” explores the complex patterns of tonal assignment in Chinese lettered words, particularly in Beijing Mandarin. The study reveals that Chinese lettered words display a clear stress-to-tone match pattern, with additional rules of phonetic contrast maximization and a default rule also playing a role in tonal assignment. The findings suggest that the complex patterns previously reported in [...]

“Tonal Assignment of Chinese Lettered Words” published in Journal of Chinese Linguistics2025-09-02T09:53:29+08:00
5 06, 2025

“Bilinguals’ advantages in executive function” published in Second Lang. Res.

2025-06-05T14:30:01+08:00

“Bilinguals’ advantages in executive function” published in Second Lang. Res. We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper by Samuel, Xiaoyu, Thomas, Bingzi, and Youngah. The paper, titled “Bilinguals’ Advantages in Executive Function: Learning Phonotactics and Alternation,” has been published in Second Language Research. This study investigates the relationship between phonotactics and alternation in phonological acquisition and explores whether bilingual speakers have an advantage in learning alternation patterns that are not fully supported by phonotactics. Phonotactics refers to the legal sequences and structures within a language’s phonology, while alternation involves context-sensitive changes in morphemes. The research predicts that [...]

“Bilinguals’ advantages in executive function” published in Second Lang. Res.2025-06-05T14:30:01+08:00
3 06, 2025

[Linguistics Seminar on 18 Jun] Chinese ideophone modality exclusivity: Comparing behavioral data with neurolinguistic data (fNIRS)

2025-06-03T17:35:44+08:00

Chinese ideophone modality exclusivity: Comparing behavioral data with neurolinguistic data (fNIRS) Date: 18 Jun 2025 (Wed) Time: 1:00 pm Venue: Rm 3.01 Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

[Linguistics Seminar on 18 Jun] Chinese ideophone modality exclusivity: Comparing behavioral data with neurolinguistic data (fNIRS)2025-06-03T17:35:44+08:00
26 03, 2025

[Linguistics Seminar on 3 Apr] When social speech signals are not favored: enhancing the use of speech prosody in autistic children through perceptual training and human-robot interaction

2025-06-03T12:23:07+08:00

When social speech signals are not favored: enhancing the use of speech prosody in autistic children through perceptual training and human-robot interaction Date: 3 Apr, 2025 (Thu) Time: Start at 3:30 pm Venue: Rm 758, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

[Linguistics Seminar on 3 Apr] When social speech signals are not favored: enhancing the use of speech prosody in autistic children through perceptual training and human-robot interaction2025-06-03T12:23:07+08:00
25 02, 2025

[Linguistics Seminar on 6 Mar] Relevance-theoretical approach to improving LLMs’ reasoning of authentic implicit toxic language

2025-06-03T12:23:27+08:00

Relevance-theoretical approach to improving LLMs’ reasoning of authentic implicit toxic language Date: 6 March, 2025 (Thu) Time: Start at 3:30 pm * This seminar will be conducted via Zoom: https://hku.zoom.us/j/97385178645 Share This Event!

[Linguistics Seminar on 6 Mar] Relevance-theoretical approach to improving LLMs’ reasoning of authentic implicit toxic language2025-06-03T12:23:27+08:00
21 03, 2024

[Linguistics Seminar on 11 Apr] Towards a More Flexible Model of Morphological Decomposition: The Case of Tagalog Morphology

2024-03-21T14:10:03+08:00

Towards a More Flexible Model of Morphological Decomposition: The Case of Tagalog Morphology Date: April 11, 2024 (Thursday) Time: Start at 4:00 pm Zoom Link: https://hku.zoom.us/j/93049562825

[Linguistics Seminar on 11 Apr] Towards a More Flexible Model of Morphological Decomposition: The Case of Tagalog Morphology2024-03-21T14:10:03+08:00
24 10, 2023

Information Day 2023

2023-11-01T14:59:06+08:00

The annual HKU Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions 2023 will be held on Saturday, Oct 28th. Our department will be hosting booth to provide prospective undergraduate students and visitors with information about HKU Linguistics. Come and join our Information Counter at CPD-LG.07~LG.10. We look forward to seeing you! More details can be found here: Faculty of Arts-Info Day Location details: LG.07~LG.10, Centennial Campus, Central Podium Levels - Lower Ground (CPD-LG)

Information Day 20232023-11-01T14:59:06+08:00
7 06, 2022

Workshop on Population Movements, Language Contact in East Asia and Southeast Asia, and Evolutionary Linguistics

2022-06-07T22:49:12+08:00

Online - all welcome! 8-11 June 2022 : "Population Movements, Language Contact in East Asia and Southeast Asia, and Evolutionary Linguistics" For more information, click here. Co-conveners: Salikoko S. Mufwene, Stephen Matthews, Virginia Yip, and Kofi Yakpo Co-organized by the University of Chicago, University of Hong Kong & Chinese University of Hong Kong

Workshop on Population Movements, Language Contact in East Asia and Southeast Asia, and Evolutionary Linguistics2022-06-07T22:49:12+08:00
Copyright © Department of Linguistics, School of Humanities, The University of Hong Kong. All Rights Reserved.
Go to Top