CRC 1646 - Science Communication & Participation
Our Participatory Approach
We believe that all speakers are experts in language, with both implicit and explicit knowledge of creative language use.
This is why we are developing various participation formats within the CRC 1646, which actively involve interested citizens at various stages of our research. We offer the opportunity to contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of specific research processes, from discussing research questions and topics to evaluating the results of individual projects. By taking part in our activities, participants gain insights into linguistic research and theory development.
Fascination of Language: an interactive events series at the VHS Bielefeld.
Through the Fascination of Language event series, SFB 1646 will engage in direct dialogue with anyone interested in the creative use of language. As well as short research insights, Q&A sessions and open discussions, there will be various opportunities to participate in research.
We will discuss questions arising from the individual sessions interactively to create added value, ensuring that both researchers and participants benefit. The results of the event will inform the development of future events in the series and our research. They should contribute to the development of joint projects.
Participation in the events is free of charge. They will take place in the Murnau Saal at the Adult Education Centre in Ravensberger Park from 6–8 pm. To help us plan the individual dates, please register promptly via the Adult Education Centre portal. If you have any questions, please email the SFB Ö-Team at crc1646-oe@uni-bielefeld.de.
Address: Ravensberger Park 1, 33607 Bielefeld
Four events are initially planned for the first half of 2025:
- 10 March 2025 - Language and creativity: how do they go together?
- 28 April 2025 - Who is more creative, ChatGPT or me?
What are the differences between AI-generated and human language? And just how creative is AI-generated language? This evening, we will explore these questions through web-based experiments and an interactive chatbot game. Please bring a mobile device!
28 April 2025, 6–8 pm
Murnau Saal, VHS Bielefeld, Ravensberger Park- 12 May 2025 - What determines the success of creative language use?
Linguistic creativity is a fundamental requirement for language change. Language changes when innovations are adopted by an ever-increasing number of people. The process can be either conscious or unconscious. But what does success depend on? Join us as we explore this question using examples from different languages.
12 May 2025, 6–8 pm
Murnau Saal, VHS Bielefeld, Ravensberger Park- 16 June 2025 - How creative are children in language acquisition?
Children are natural language geniuses — they often surprise us with the terms and statements they come up with. By observing their discoveries, we can learn a lot about how they learn languages and how we can support them. At our final event of the semester, we will explore the exciting and entertaining topic of early language learning.
16 June 2025, 6–8 pm
Murnau Saal, VHS Bielefeld, Ravensberger Park
Talkaoke: A participatory talk show
Talkaoke = talk show + karaoke
Talkaoke is a pop-up talk show where anyone can take a seat at the table and share their thoughts. Through this, we aim to...
- ...create spaces for dialogue in publicly accessible places.
- ...exchange ideas about the use of language
- ...and learn more about creative language in everyday life.
- How does Talkaoke work?
- What do we want to achieve with Talkaoke?
Create spaces for dialogue
We use the format to facilitate low-threshold conversations. We hold these conversations in public spaces, such as city squares, and at public events that encourage discussion and dialogue.
Talk about science and language.
At the same time, we want to use the format to discuss science and language, as well as language as a means of communication. In this way, we hope to reach different sub-publics.
Collect research data on linguistic creativity
We record some of the Talkaoke conversations in order to analyse them for linguistic peculiarities. For instance, we examine which creative expressions individual people use in conversations and how these are perceived or even reused by others. To achieve this, we transcribe the conversations and highlight these passages. All special features are then analysed in more detail. How are they composed? What do they mean? How do they differ from standard language? If we identify any overarching patterns, we compare them with linguistic theories and develop theses and new research questions based on them.
- Are all Talkaoke events recorded? If so, how is the data processed?
Not all Talkaoke events are recorded and analysed. If cameras are recording the discussion, this is always labelled on site. If so, all participants are transparently informed on site about the purpose of the recordings and how we handle the data.
Detailed information on data processing can be found here.
- Who developed the format?
The format was developed by the London-based artist group The People Speak. The group has trained our scientists to host Talkaoke sessions. They also support us with the technical realisation on site in Bielefeld and the surrounding area.
- When has Talkaoke already been held?
- What is the Future of Talkaoke at CRC 1646?