Yechezkel Shabanov

Ph.D. Student

Indirect Word Learning

Project description

The process of learning new words often involves indirect language – learning by inference and reasoning rather than by direct mapping of meaning. This process involves cognitive factors such as Theory of Mind and Executive Function, which, according to initial evidence, play a different role in learning between monolingual and bilingual learners. However, the contribution of these factors to indirect word learning is rarely studied in general, and across language groups in particular.

In our project, we will use a paradigm which was uniquely developed to examines indirect word learning, . We will further possible underlying cognitive factors that can affect learning and assess the way they differ across language groups.

About me
I holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Linguistics from Tel Aviv University under the supervision of Prof. Einat Shetreet. I am currently a PhD student at the School of Philosophy, Linguistics and Science Studies at Tel Aviv University. During my M.A., I developed a novel method for testing the scalar interpretation of indirect language. In my PhD, study the relation between speakers’ indirect intended meaning and the way listeners detect and interpret them.