PhD in Linguistics - Syntax and Semantics in Ann Arbor United States | University of Michigan Ann Arbor

The faculty specializing in syntax and semantics are united by their focus on creating precise, explanatory theories about human language structure and meaning. Acrisio Pires, working within the generative/minimalist framework, investigates syntactic theory and comparative syntax while exploring connections between minimalist approaches and language variation. Marlyse Baptista applies generative/Minimalist principles to analyze creole languages, particularly examining bare nouns, DPs, complementizers, and pro-drop phenomena. Ezra Keshet's semantic research bridges syntax, pragmatics, discourse analysis, and computational approaches to meaning. Natasha Abner employs generative linguistics to study sign languages, investigating morphosyntax, semantics, and their intersection, while also analyzing how linguistic theories can be formally represented. Jon Brennan leads experimental neurolinguistics research concentrating on syntax-semantics interactions. Together with Rick Lewis and Julie Boland, Brennan develops psycholinguistic and computational models of how syntactic, semantic, and lexical information is processed in real time. All syntax-semantics faculty maintain strong interdisciplinary perspectives. The department also maintains collaborative ties with Daniel Seely (Eastern Michigan University) and Hisatsugu Kitahara (Keio University, Japan), both minimalist syntax researchers who regularly engage with Michigan faculty and students.