On March 18, 2017, the Implications of Language Expression Forum was held on the 11th floor in the central meeting room of Liwu Building of South China University of Technology. Undertaken by the School of Foreign Languages of South China University of Technology, this forum was hosted by the China Cognitive Linguistics Association and sponsored by the Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.
Participating academic experts posing for a group photo
A packed meeting room with very warm atmosphere
This forum invited seven prominent experts in Cognitive Linguistics to be keynote speakers. They are: Professor Xu Shenghuan from Henan University, Doctor Shi Yuzhi from National University of Singapore, Professor Zhang Hui from Nanjing Normal University, Professor Ran Yongping from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Professor Liao Qiaoyun from Sichuan International Studies University, Professor Wang Xiaolu from Zhejiang University and Professor Ren Wei from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
More than 130 faculty and students from colleges and universities nationwide attended this progressive academic forum.
The opening ceremony was conducted by Professor Zhong Shuneng, the Dean of the School of Foreign Languages (SFL) at South China University of Technology (SCUT) at 8:30 in the morning. Professor Zhong Shuneng gave a rather cordial welcome to all the experts and participants, and familiarized attendees with the rapid development of SCUT and the SFL in recent years. He also showed great gratitude and deep wishes for the success of the forum to push forward with the continuing disciplinary construction and advancement of the School of Foreign Languages.
The opening speech by Dean Zhong Shuneng
At the very beginning of the forum, on the topic of non-literal meaning of language expression, Professor Xu Shenghuan explored the profound questions of literal meaning and non-literal meaning of language in simple terms. He discussed the humor of speaking manner by introducing the hot topic of the THAAD event (South Korea attempting to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system). In the end of his speech, Professor Xu advocated for language researchers adopt diversified methods to promote China’s language research tradition and at the same time, to pursue academic innovation.
An illuminating speech by Professor Xu Shenghuan
Afterward Doctor Shi Yuzhi from the National University of Singapore delivered an impressing presentation on the motivations of the implication of inference and grammaticalization. He demonstrated for the participants the complex relationship between grammar category and grammar marker from different perspectives. Concluding his presentation by pointing out instructive systematic and regular grammar revealed by language implication.
An impressing speech by Doctor Shi Yuzhi
Soon after, on the topic of neurolinguistics study of idioms and its processing, Professor Zhang Hui shown us how to use event-related potentials (ERP), a method in psycholinguistics to do research on major sub-categories of Chinese idioms, providing new thought for participants on research ideas and methods.
An illuminating speech by Professor Zhang Hui
Concluding the morning talks, representatives from China Three Gorges University, Ocean University of China and Southwest University delivered short ten-minute speeches sequentially, presenting their unique insights on language implication.
A speech by Professor Yang Xianming
A speech by Hua Hongyan
In the afternoon, a keynote speaker Professor Ran Yongping presented an excellent report on the implications in communicative contexts, unveiling how implied information in contexts are manifested. He also explored confining factors of implication construal and ways to discover cognitive pragmatic basis, on which implied information is realized.
An excellent speech by Professor Ran Yongping
Subsequently, Professor Liao Qiaoyun shown us how to use ERPs in studying the construal mechanism of Chinese irony, with Chinese learners of English as subjects. Professor Liao expressed her sincere gratitude to the School of Foreign Languages for holding this excellent forum and providing this rare opportunity to exchange academic researches with prominent colleagues.
A wonderful speech by Professor Liao Qiaoyun
Then, Professor Wang Xiaolu delivered a speech on the cognitive and neuropsychological system of Chinese non-literal expression, Professor Wang humorously discussed how to center on conventionality and connect conventional metaphors with new ones into a continuum.
An exciting speech by Professor Wang Xiaolu
Later on, on the topic of “Multinational Investigations Into Refusals”, Professor Ren Wei demonstrated how to research on manners of refusal in communicative contexts, based on the Chinese dating show - If You Are the One.
An interesting speech by Professor Ren Wei
Faculty and students actively asking questions
Subsequently, representatives from Chongqing Jiaotong University, Dalian University of Technology and Zhejiang University of Science and Technology delivered short ten-minute speeches sequentially, presenting their academic achievements on cognitive linguistics and language implication.
A speech by Associate Professor Qiu Jin
A speech by Guo Hanning
A speech by Associate Professor Zhao Xuede
The closing ceremony was conducted by Professor Wu Jianguo, the executive chairman of the academic committee for the School of Foreign Languages of South China University of Technology. Professor Wu summarized and appraised the various talks delivered in the forum. Furthermore, he affirmatively acknowledged this advanced academic forum, reviewing the whole process of facilitating such a successful national level event in an acutely short period of two weeks, expressing sincere gratitude for the presence of notable experts, faculty, and students. Moreover, he earnestly elaborated on his expectation for the disciplinary development of the School of Foreign Languages as it continues to reach new heights.
The closing ceremony by Professor Wu Jianguo the executive chairman of academic committee
Finally, with the bowing of entire forum staff to the warm applause of participants, the Implications of Language Expression Forum concluded successfully in an auspicious and cheerful atmosphere.
Stuff bowing their thanks in the closing ceremony
The success of this forum is largely predicated on the active exchanging of innovative and progressive ideas between faculty of different notable institutions and students; garnering fruitful results for all participants. As this forum evolves, expectations are for the academic acclaim to become widely known.
Translated by Pan Jiaqian