Education Secretary Explores CBS Speech and Language Sciences Laboratory

Accompanied by PolyU’s President, Prof. Teng Jin-Guang, Dr. the Hon. Christine Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education, paid a visit to the CBS Speech and Language Sciences Laboratory on September 5th. This insightful visit included the participation of distinguished individuals, such as Ms. Michelle Li Mei-sheung (Permanent Secretary for Education), Mr. Jeff Sze Chun-fai (Under Secretary for Education), Dr. Yao Yao (Acting Dean of the Faculty of Humanities), Dr. Zhang Caicai (Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies), and Dr. Chen Si (Assistant Professor in the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies).

During the visit, the esteemed CBS researchers introduced the laboratory's cutting-edge equipment designed to advance research in speech and language sciences. Notable highlights encompass a state-of-the-art social robot, utilized to facilitate speech training for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Furthermore, an advanced electroencephalography (EEG) system was showcased for measuring electrophysiological brain activities, while an innovative eye tracker captured the intricate eye movements of participants engaged in language processing.

In addition, we had the privilege of sharing our groundbreaking research initiatives in the domains of language, cognition, and neuroscience with Dr. Choi. The profound implications of our research findings are poised to significantly influence education development and clinical applications. These endeavors underscore our commitment to fostering meaningful advancements in education and the broader field of clinical practice.

Celebrating Dr. Yike Yang's Achievement: Awarded HK$835,558 FDS Grant by RGC

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Yike Yang, one of our distinguished Ph.D. graduates, for his remarkable accomplishment. Dr. Yang's dedication and expertise have led to the successful acquisition of an impressive HK$835,558 Future Distinguished Scholars (FDS) grant awarded by the Research Grants Council (RGC).

Dr. Yike Yang is a trailblazing researcher with a profound focus on multiple dimensions within the realm of linguistics. His scholarly pursuits span an array of captivating research areas, including language acquisition, psycholinguistics, speech production and perception, computer-assisted language learning, and corpus linguistics.

PhD Project: At the heart of his doctoral journey was a groundbreaking research endeavor titled "First Language Attrition and Second Language Attainment of Mandarin-speaking Immigrants in Hong Kong: Evidence from Prosodic Focus." Dr. Yang delved deep into the intricacies of linguistic evolution among Mandarin-speaking immigrants in Hong Kong, primarily through the lens of prosodic focus. His innovative exploration involved both a comprehensive production experiment and a perception study, which collectively shed light on crucial aspects of language acquisition and retention.

Key Findings: The results of Dr. Yang's PhD project yielded fascinating insights. His meticulous analysis uncovered evidence of Mandarin attrition in terms of production, while intriguingly, perception remained relatively unaffected. Additionally, it was revealed that the immigrant participants displayed a heightened sensitivity to acoustic cues compared to native Cantonese speakers. These groundbreaking observations have the potential to reshape prevailing paradigms in speech learning models.

Bilingual Prosody Transfer Model (BPTM): Dr. Yang's pioneering work went beyond the confines of conventional understanding, leading him to propose the Bilingual Prosody Transfer Model (BPTM). This revolutionary framework posits that prosodic features between a native language (L1) and a second language (L2) can be effectively transferred, even for individuals who acquire the second language later in life. This conceptual advancement holds significant implications for the study of prosody in bilingual speakers.

Dr. Yike Yang's journey is a testament to his dedication, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of linguistic research. His accomplishments underscore his contributions not only to academia but also to the broader understanding of language acquisition and bilingualism. We celebrate Dr. Yang's remarkable achievements and eagerly anticipate the transformative impact his work will continue to have in the realm of linguistics.

Dr. Xiao Wang Recognized: Receives 'Rising Star of Yuen Ren Chao Experimental Linguistics' Award

Dr. Xiao Wang, our accomplished post-doctoral fellow, has been honored with the esteemed 'Rising Star of Yuen Ren Chao Experimental Linguistics' award. With a focus on forensic speech science, sociophonetics, and Bayesian analysis, Dr. Wang's expertise shines in addressing critical challenges.

During his PhD, he delved into forensic voice comparison, shedding light on the importance of measuring and minimizing uncertainty in forensic evidence. His application of Bayesian analysis enhances reliability, marking a significant stride in this field.

Dr. Wang's achievements not only mark his excellence but also hold promise for advancing forensic linguistics and experimental linguistics as a whole. His contributions reflect a dedication to innovative research and a profound impact on the discipline's future.

Congratulations to Dr. Yixin Zhang!!

Congratulations to our post-doc fellows Dr. Yixin Zhang being nominated for the the award of “The rising star of Yuen Ren Chao experimental linguistics”.

Dr. Chen Si Recognized with PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award 2022

In a remarkable achievement, Dr. Chen Si, Assistant Professor at CBS, has been honored with the prestigious PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) for 2022. Among 59 entries from 22 departments spanning diverse faculties and schools, Dr. Chen's outstanding contributions have secured his position as one of the six distinguished YIRA awardees.

Dr. Chen's research endeavors focus on a transformative area: robot-assisted training for children with autism spectrum disorder. His work aligns seamlessly with the YIRA's mission—to recognize young PolyU researchers under 35 who exhibit innovation, advance technology, and channel transformative solutions to address societal challenges, paving the way for a brighter future.

The YIRA celebrates visionary individuals like Dr. Chen who envision a positive change for the future. Awardees receive research funding support of HK$500,000 along with a personal cash prize of HK$20,000. This gesture not only acknowledges their research's novelty and impact but also encourages them to continue shaping the landscape of innovative research.

Dr. Chen Si's accomplishment underscores his dedication to pioneering research that holds the potential to drive profound positive changes in our society. His recognition within the YIRA fraternity further cements his role as a beacon of innovative research and a driving force for impactful transformations.

FH Project Funded by the University’s Project of Strategic Importance Scheme 2021-22

Dr Si Chen(CBS) and her research team has been awarded HK$2M by the University’s Project of Strategic Importance Scheme. The funded project is entitled “Robot-assisted speech and musical training in improving speech prosody production and processing by Cantonese-speaking autistic children”. Twenty-six applications were submitted for this round of exercise and fourteen of them were funded.