News

Everybody is cordially welcome to Prof. Nina Topintzi (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece) seminar Beyond and above the segment: the phonology of onsets, on Wednesday, May 8th, 3 p.m., Room 314 B.

Nina Topintzi — Professor of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (theoretical and applied linguistics, English). Her areas of interest are syllable structure, prosody, relations between morphology and phonology, language typology in general. Author of numerous international publications (Natural Language & Linguistic Theory, Phonology, Linguistic Inquiry, Glossa, Journal of Greek Linguistics), author of monographs published by Cambridge University Press.

Annotation:

The consonant­–vowel (CV) syllable is cross-linguistically the preferred syllable type. It consists of a nucleus (typically a vowel) and an onset—the consonant that precedes it. The phonology of onsets has been thoroughly investigated on the (sub)segmental level, regarding cluster phonotactics and co-occurrence restrictions. What has received much less attention is the phonology of onsets on the supra-segmental level. In fact, most standard theories (e.g. Hayes 1989) hold that onsets are prosodically inert and only rimes—the nucleus-coda sequences—are relevant to prosodic phenomena. In this talk, I show that this view is incorrect; drawing on my own work (Topintzi 2010, 2022; Topintzi & Davis 2017; Topintzi & Nevins 2017, a.o.), as well as much other research (Gordon 2005; Shinohara and Fujimoto 2011; Ryan 2014; Lubera 2024, a.o.), I present empirical evidence from a variety of languages and phenomena (including stress, compensatory lengthening, allomorphy, gemination and word minimality) that showcase the onset’s participation and contribution to suprasegmental phonology. I also discuss the implications for the typology of syllable and weight theories. 

References

• Gordon, Matthew. 2005. A perceptually-driven account of onset-sensitive stress. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 23. 595–653.
• Hayes, Bruce. 1989. Compensatory lengthening in moraic phonology. Linguistic Inquiry 20. 253–306.
• Lubera, Amber. 2024. Sensitivity to complex onsets in Iron Ossetian. Phonological Data and Analysis 6(2). 1–40. https://doi.org/10.3765/PDA.V6ART2.71.
• Ryan, Kevin M. 2014. Onsets contribute to syllable weight: Statistical evidence from stress and meter. Language 90(2). 309–341. https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1353/lan.2014.0029.
• Shinohara, Shigeko & Masako Fujimoto. 2011. Moraicity of Initial Geminates in the Tedumuni Dialect of Okinawa. ICPhS 17. 1826–1829.
• Topintzi, Nina. 2010. Onsets: Suprasegmental and prosodic behaviour. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Topintzi, Nina. 2022. A new phonological analysis of geminates in Cypriot Greek. Journal of Greek linguistics 22(1). 36–71. https://doi.org/10.1163/15699846-02201002.
• Topintzi, Nina & Stuart Davis. 2017. On the weight of edge geminates. In Haruo Kubozono (ed.), The Phonetics and Phonology of Geminate Consonants, 260–282. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Topintzi, Nina & Andrew Nevins. 2017. Moraic onsets in Arrernte. Phonology 34(3). 615–650. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952675717000306.

Please find the List of Open Electives for the 2023/2024 Spring semester here.

These subjects can be chosen by 2-4 year BA students and MA students with the individual study plan instead of the electives suggested in your study programme.

More information can be found here>

You are cordially invited to the Faculty’s Literature Seminar "Beyond Cold War Antinomies: Re-thinking Translation and Censorship in the 21st Century", which will be held in English, and will take place on Tuesday, 7 May, at 5 pm in Kazimieras Būga Auditorium. 

This time our speaker will be the professor Brian James Baer from Kent State University, USA. 

The abstract of the presentation:

This talk begins with a theoretical discussion of translation and censorship as double-voiced texts, followed by a description of the two main approaches to conceptualizing censorship. Then a historical overview of censorship practices is offered, with a special focus on sexually explicit writings in translation. Between the extremes of total banning and total acceptance lie a range of censorial practices applied to translations, such as non-translation or the use of a third language, as well as euphemism, innuendo, and annotation. The textual traces left by such practices bring attention to translation and generate strategies for evading censorship restrictions. Censorship can also take place at an extra-textual level through paratextual material meant to foreclose certain interpretations of a text and promote others. Paradoxically, those paratexts may allow the texts themselves to remain unaltered, providing the possibility of alternative readings. In addition, the effort required to evade censorship to create alternate translations and interpretations results in the creation of minority reading communities. 

Justinas Noreika, Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, Eglė Danielienė, Romualdas Danielius, Artūras Vasiliauskas. Photographer: Katažyna Polubinska.

A bronze bas-relief, cast from a plaster medal created in 1979 by sculptor Vytautas Mačiuika (1929-1999), was unveiled at the Faculty of Philology of Vilnius University (VU), in the auditorium named after Prof. Jonas Kazlauskas (1930-1970). During the event, Eglė Danielienė, the daughter of the famous linguist, and her husband Romualdas Danielius, announced the establishment of a sub-fund in the amount of EUR 140 thousand in the name of Prof. J. Kazlauskas. The return of the sub-fund will be used to establish named scholarships, prizes, and finance other initiatives at the VU Philology Faculty.

Professor J. Kazlauskas, habilitated doctor of sciences – one of the most prominent specialists in 20th century Baltic linguistics – was the actual leader of post-war Baltic studies. From 1949 to 1954, Prof. Kazlauskas studied Lithuanian language and literature at Vilnius University, and from 1958 to 1970 he worked as a lecturer at the University, and from 1962 as an associate professor. In 1968, he defended his Habilitated Doctor of Philology degree. In 1968-1970, Prof. Kazlauskas was the Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology at Vilnius University, and since 1969 – Professor.

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"The dean, Professor Jonas Kazlauskas, a great talent in Baltic studies, was interrupted by the Soviet regime on his way to world recognition. It is wonderful that today his memory is not only perpetuated, but also becomes a strong support for today's young philological talents on their way to the top of their fields. The support of the patrons Eglė and Romualdas Danielius in the name of J. Kazlauskas is a gift of a special value to the Faculty and to the future of Lithuanian philology," says Prof. Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, Dean of the VU Philology Faculty.

In 1965, the journal of Baltic linguistics "Baltistica" was founded thanks to the efforts of Prof. J. Kazlauskas, which soon gained international recognition (he was the editor-in-chief from 1965-1970). In 1964 and 1970, on his initiative, international conferences of Baltic studies were held in Vilnius, which later became traditional, and since 1980 have been held alternately in Vilnius and Riga. In 1970, Prof. Kazlauskas was invited to the University of Pennsylvania in the USA to teach a course in Baltic linguistics.

Unfortunately, the professor disappeared on 8 October 1970. His body was found in the Neris River on 17 November. His death is still shrouded in mystery - all the documents have disappeared from the KGB archives. The professor was buried in the Saulės Cemetery in Vilnius on the 20th of January, 1970. The Prof. Kazlauskas

Auditorium at the VU Faculty of Philology was also renovated in 2020-2021 with the help of patrons Eglė and Romualdas Danielius

More pictures from the event >>

On Friday, 26th April, we kindly invite you to the annual Scandinavian Students' Conference!

In four sections - Literature, Linguistics and Culture, plus Posters section, in two locations - 92 and 314  (AB). Starting at 9.00 at 92 with Taina Mylläri’s presentation (based on her PhD project), splitting into sections from 9.30, with the possibility to mingle with beloved colleagues and students in the hall by 314 during the coffee break at 10.45-11.15. Continuing together in 92 for the Culture section and then the Posters section the same place (from 13.30), where one will move freely between the posters and be able to chat with the students about their projects in a more informal way. 

Find the programme attached >

You are cordially invited to the Faculty’s Literature Seminar, which will be held in English, and will take place on Tuesday, 23April, at 5 pm in Kazimieras Būga Auditorium.

This time our speaker will be the post-doctoral research fellow at the Faculty of History at Vilnius University Dr Sergii Gurbych. The topic of his presentation: Cultural Identity of Authors and Characters in Migrant Literature.

The abstract of the presentation

What happens when a migrant author shares the experiences of a migrant character with a reader from another culture? Inevitably, some concepts in the story cannot be directly translated into another language without losing context. Should the context be explained in detail? Should the author seek a concept as close as possible in the reader’s culture? Or, on the contrary, should the reader be left to interpret everything independently to achieve a detachment effect? Each writer resolves these questions themselves. In his presentation, Sergii Gurbych, author of Mother Tongue, Other Tongue: Soviet-born Jewish Writers in Their New Language Environment, discusses how these issues were addressed in the novels by Katja Petrowskaja, Olga Grjaznowa, and Alina Bronski, three contemporary authors who immigrated to Germany from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Russia.

Biographical note

Dr. Sergii Gurbych is currently engaged in postdoctoral research at the Faculty of History, Vilnius University. He earned his PhD from the Jewish Studies Department at Heidelberg University, focusing on modern Israeli literature. His latest book, Mother Tongue, Other Tongue: Soviet-born Jewish Writers in Their New Language Environment, explores cultural and national identity through the novels of migrant authors who adopted the language of their new countries. Dr. Gurbych’s current research intersects Archival studies, Identity studies, and Digital Humanities, particularly examining the personal identity of Lithuanian Jewish community members during the interwar period

Registration for the traditional event “Student for a Day” at Vilnius University (VU) has begun. This year, VU offers real experiences and inspiring discoveries for high school students and those interested in studying at VU, inviting them to get to know the prominent study programmes.

“Student for a Day” is perfect for those who are curious about what it would be like to study at VU, both for a degree or exchange studies. Participants can choose from many different classes in different fields and disciplines, learn about VU first-hand, broaden their knowledge and can easier decide what to study.

The event participants, together with the current VU students, will have an opportunity to visit lectures in 15 faculties, including Kaunas and Šiauliai. The events will take place both in person and remotely, furthermore, lectures will be organised for international students in English.

The participant who becomes a student for one day will be able not only to get to know VU and its faculties but also to discover new disciplines, enrich their knowledge, and find answers to their questions regarding their choice of studies.

This year, VU ambassadors invite students from other countries to a special remote event in English. In the virtual panel discussion, VU ambassadors from various faculties will share their experiences at VU. They will present university life from application and admission to final exams.

“Student for a Day” events will take place from April 22nd to 26th. More information and registration can be found here.