Silje Robberstad
Silje is working on her master’s thesis that will investigate paternal infant-directed speech (IDS) and preference for male IDS in infancy. The study will explore whether Norwegian fathers modulate their speech when talking to their infants, and if this modulation is related to their experience as the main caregiver. Paternal speech will be assessed by acoustically analyzing audio recordings of fathers speaking to their infants and to an adult. By using eye tracking technology and a central-fixation procedure, Silje will also explore whether 8-months old infants prefer male IDS over male adult-directed speech in early language development, and if preference is related to the amount of exposure to parental speech. 50 monolingual Norwegian fathers in paternity leave and their infants will take part in the study.
The supervisors of the study are Professor Julien Mayor and Associate Professor Natalia Kartushina. The master’s thesis will be submitted spring 2023.
Emma Krane Mathisen
Are extended similes and metaphors processed alike? Emma's MA-project will investigate the processing of single and extended metaphors – along with single and extended similes – using an eye-tracking reading paradigm. In broader terms, Emma's thesis will investigate the topics of figurative and non-literal language, meaning adjustment, and language processing.
The supervisors of the study are Senior Lecturer Nicholas Allott and Postdoctoral Fellow Camilo Rodríguez Ronderos. The master’s thesis will be submitted spring semester 2023.