NWO Veni grant for Constantijn van der Burght

Stan’s study explores how people process intonation: the way something is said, not just the words themselves. Intonation can change meaning entirely.

Stan: “In everyday communication, not only the words we choose but also how we say them truly matters. Intonation - the rise and fall of our voice - can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example, consider the difference between ‘You’re leaving!’ and ‘You’re leaving?’.

Intonation is a fundamental aspect of language, yet how listeners actually interpret these vocal cues remains a fascinating question. My study aims to explore how people process intonation. A large group of participants will complete a series of both new and established tests measuring their abilities in intonation perception, language comprehension, memory, and musicality. The findings will reveal what makes intonation processing distinct and how much it depends on other cognitive skills.”

About the NWO Veni grant

The grant gives recently promoted, excellent researchers the opportunity to further develop their ideas over three years. Veni, together with Vidi and Vici, is part of the NWO Talent Programme and is aimed at excellent researchers who have recently obtained their PhDs.  

Stan: "I never expected it, though I certainly hoped for it. This award will give me the opportunity to devote more time to research and slightly reduce my teaching responsibilities."
 

Congratulations, Stan!
 

Further read: 200 researchers receive Veni grants | NWO