The group is centered on modeling linguistic knowledge, integrating interfaces between different areas of grammar and knowledge about how language is put to use. Joint work in formal phonology, lexicon, syntax and semantics allows building an integrated model of grammar, considering how it is represented in the human mind, as well as how it can be computationally modelled; work on L1 and L2 acquisition is at the core of this work. The integration of models of language representation and models of language use is achieved through the study of corpora.

The production of corpora and resources is justified by the goal of developing documentation and providing descriptions of contemporary European Portuguese, but also of understudied contact languages or varieties (Portuguese-based creoles, national varieties of Portuguese in Africa and Asia). The group also produces resources for the study of L1 and L2 acquisition in different settings. The group integrates CLARIN LP.

Research on L1 and L2 acquisition contributes to CLUL’s general purpose of effectively articulating fundamental and applied research, namely in the areas of Educational Linguistics and Clinical Linguistics.

General goals:

- To produce new resources for the study of Portuguese and Portuguese-based creoles;

- To pursue basic research on natural language modeling, integrating knowledge on interfaces between language modules;

- To continue the documentation and description of understudied creoles and new varieties of Portuguese that emerged in a context of language contact;

- To develop the study of language acquisition with an emphasis on language contact situations (see new international Heritage Language Consortium) and on the comparison between typical and atypical development;

- To explore the potential of comparative linguistics in the production of resources for translation and to promote connections with the industry in the area of translation.