09.12.2024

DFG: Priority Programme “Visual communication. Theoretical, empirical, and applied perspectives (ViCom)”

Deadline: 31 March 2025

Visual communication is still a young and developing field in theoretical linguistic research. To date, visual phenomena have been analysed by applying the formal linguistic vocabulary originally established for spoken languages. It is now becoming evident that the formal linguistic repertoire can be applied fruitfully to other fields and domains but that it also needs to be modified and extended to meet the specific requirements of visual communication. This is due to the fact that visual phenomena are often different in nature from spoken language phenomena, which form the main basis of most linguistic research. Visual input, for example, is often more iconic and more expressive than auditory or written material.

ViCom aims at bridging the gap between these new dynamics in theoretical linguistics and other disciplines, such as cognitive linguistics, semiotics, neurosciences, cultural studies or conversation analysis, where the investigation of visual communication phenomena has a longstanding tradition and where a substantial body of empirical data and a considerable amount of insight on the form and functions of visual communication means already exists.

The overall goal of ViCom is to investigate the special features and linguistic significance of different components of visual communication. Central fields of interest are

1. sign languages as fully developed natural languages exclusively using the visual modality and
2. visual means that interact with and enhance spoken and written language such as co-speech gestures and emojis. With a strong focus on developing linguistic theory, ViCom strives to bring together different research foci and the joint expertise of communities which usually work on similar research objects, but without a great deal of interaction.

The scientific ambition of ViCom is best met by a broad collaboration involving researchers from different disciplines such as phonetics, semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, semiotics, psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, animal communication, visual studies, computational linguistics and didactics. To accomplish its ambitious scientific goals, ViCom implements a well-balanced, extensive suite of individual measures to support diversity, networking and dissemination, and to ensure the success of female researchers, deaf researchers and researchers in early career phases in particular.

Proposals must be written in English and submitted to the DFG by 31 March 2025.
Funding decisions are expected to be completed in November 2025.

The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institutions, and with disabilities or chronic illness. With regard to the subject-specific focus of this call, the DFG encourages deaf researchers in particular to submit proposals.

Further Information:
https://www.dfg.de/de/aktuelles/neuigkeiten-themen/info-wissenschaft/2024/ifw-24-96 
https://vicom.info 

For scientific enquiries please contact the Priority Programme coordinator:
Professor Dr. Cornelia Ebert, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, phone +49 69 798 32393, contactspam prevention@vicom.info 

Questions on the DFG proposal process can be directed to:
Programme contact:
Dr. Helga Weyerts-Schweda, phone +49 228 885-2046, helga.weyerts-schwedaspam prevention@dfg.de 
Administrative contact:
Melanie Klein, phone +49 228 885-2843, melanie.kleinspam prevention@dfg.de