Profile

The Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) is one of the seven institutes within the Faculty of Humanities. It unites the linguistic research and teaching at Leiden University. LUCL is also responsible for the Academic Language Centre as well as for most language teaching within the Faculty.

Structure and variation

The overall theme tying all the activities of the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) together is Structure and variation in the languages of the world. In this overall theme, three key components can be distinguished:
  • Language structure, basically studied and taught from a theory-driven perspective, defined not only narrowly within the field of linguistics, but also in a larger interdisciplinary context.
  • Language variation, basically studied and taught from a descriptive perspective and with special attention for unique expertise in the field of diachronic research.
  • Languages of the world, implying the documentation and study of a geographically unique range of languages, with a strong emphasis on (endangered) languages in the non-Western world.

Mission statement

The goal of LUCL is to integrate the three key components of the overall theme 'Structure and variation in the languages of the world' and to stimulate cross-fertilising data- and theory-driven research and teaching, thus capitalising more on the unique bredth of coverage of the world's languages.
 
LUCL wants to provide an open and inspiring environment in which linguists team up in a concerted effort to contribute to a better understanding of individual languages – their present and past – and the phenomenon of human language in general.
 
LUCL aims to achieve its goal by stimulating joint research and integrated research projects, organising group meetings (lectures, workshops, debates, etc.) and involving members – especially from the younger generation – as much as possible in the academic and institutional tasks of LUCL.

Research profile

The general profile and mission statement of LUCL are also reflected in its research profile.

LUCL Office
Last Modified: 20-11-2008