LDL | Department of Linguistics | HKU
We’re excited to have you join our academic community. Let’s embark on this journey of knowledge and discovery together. LDL welcomes our new postgraduate students, Clarissa Ki and Qisheng Liao, and Research Assistant Professor, Dr. Yuyan Xue, this semester. Welcome! They will be involved in several lab projects.
1 September 2025
1 September 2025
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 studies of ordinary Chinese loanwords are influenced by external factors related to the Chinese writing system.
This research provides valuable insights into the inherent strategies of tonal assignment in the Chinese language and contributes to our understanding of the phonological adaptation of loanwords.
Wang, Z., & Do, Y. (2025). Tonal assignment of Chinese lettered words [Preprint]. Journal of Chinese Linguistics. open_in_newDOI
Frank, Lihui Tan, our Ph.D. student has been awarded an NSF scholarship to attend the workshop.
This workshop explores how speakers balance abstract linguistic knowledge, enabling flexible generalization, with item-specific knowledge, facilitating efficient handling of familiar contexts, aiming to unify insights across domains and methods.
To develop a coherent, evidence-based understanding of abstract and item-specific knowledge in language.
On May 30, 2025, Youngah, our Lab Principal Investigator, delivered a compelling keynote at the Media For All 2025 conference at The University of Hong Kong. Titled “Empowering Cultural Preservation and Inclusivity Through Technology: Innovations in Hong Kong Sign Language”, the address showcased our lab’s pioneering efforts to preserve Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL) and promote inclusivity for the Deaf community.
Our research focuses on safeguarding the linguistic and cultural richness of HKSL. Through meticulous documentation and archiving of HKSL signs, narratives, and dialogues, we are building a lasting repository to ensure this vital aspect of Hong Kong’s heritage endures. These efforts provide a foundation for cultural preservation, enabling future generations to engage with and learn from the Deaf community’s unique linguistic identity.
Central to our work is an innovative HKSL handshape detection model, which leverages advanced machine learning to enhance the accuracy and speed of sign language recognition. This technology marks a significant leap forward in interpreting HKSL, enabling seamless communication. Key applications include:
Our work goes beyond technology—it’s about building unity. By developing tools that facilitate communication, we aim to create a deeper connection between the Deaf and hearing communities. These efforts promote a society that celebrates diversity, embraces cultural heritage, and ensures inclusivity for all.
Youngah’s keynote resonated with attendees, sparking conversations about the role of technology in social good. The Media For All 2025 conference provided an ideal platform to share our vision, and we’re excited to continue this journey toward a more inclusive future.
The advancements shared in the keynote are just the beginning. Our team remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of HKSL research and its applications. We invite collaborators, community partners, and stakeholders to join us in this mission to preserve HKSL and empower the Deaf community.
For more information about our work or to explore potential partnerships, please contact our lab through the Knowledge Exchange Office at The University of Hong Kong. Together, we can create a more inclusive and culturally rich society.
Over the past five months, from January to May 2023, Rachel, Jasper, Tiffany, and Kevin have successfully completed a 24-hour immersive course in Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL), as part of an ongoing research investigation into Hong Kong Sign Language, conducted by Youngah and Arthur of the Language Development Lab.
Throughout the course, the students engaged in twice-per-week, one-on-one immersive sessions with Ms. KONG Wan Ki (KK), a senior trainer from the Professional Sign Language Centre. With their trainer unable to hear, the students were required to use HKSL, supplemented with writing tools, to communicate, thereby fostering a comprehensive understanding of the language.
Upon completing the course, the students achieved Level III proficiency in the Centre’s curriculum, which is recognized by the Hong Kong Sign Language Association. In total, they have acquired 655 individual signs in Hong Kong Sign Language.
We would like to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of Rachel, Jasper, Tiffany, and Kevin, and express our gratitude to KK and the Professional Sign Language Centre for their invaluable support throughout the course. Their commitment and diligence have significantly contributed to the progress of our research.
Bingzi is accepted to the PhD programme at MIT. Congratulations! A celebratory lunch was certainly in order.
Van Hoey, T., Thompson, A. L., Do, Y., & Dingemanse, M. (2023). Iconicity in Ideophones: Guessing, Memorizing, and Reassessing. Cognitive Science. Accepted open_in_new DOI