# LangDiv: The psycholinguistics of grammatical properties encoded on noun class prefixes

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Southern California (CA) · $320,000

## Abstract

Knowing a language well and communicating successfully requires a sufficient breadth of vocabulary, including a lot of nouns. However, what exactly a person knows about any given noun varies from language to language and includes not just its dictionary meaning but also grammatical information about how that noun can be used. Understanding the multiple ways that languages encode noun-related information and how humans know and use that information during language communication is critical both for advancing cutting-edge, competitive technological tools such as AI chat and writing generators, and for a deeper understanding of how the brain manages language in everyday circumstances and during communication breakdown. 

In addition to meaning, various types of linguistic information are relevant to know for nouns, whether a noun is singular or plural or animate or inanimate, as well as other types of grammatical classes found across languages that serve to characterize nouns. One aim of this project is to innovate experimental tools for investigating what speakers know about nouns in languages. Developing such replicable scientific resources gives researchers a competitive edge in developing language technology and in mapping human cognition in the domain of spoken and written language. A second aim of this project is to determine whether certain types of noun structures facilitate noun recognition during language processing. Different languages encode important noun informat

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2438489
- **Awardee organization:** University of Southern California (CA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G88KLJR3KYT5
- **PI:** Zuzanna Z Fuchs
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), SCIENCE, MATH, ENG & TECH EDUCATION, REU SUPP-Res Exp for Ugrd Supp, Translational Research, LangDiv-Diversification in Language Scie, GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT, DLI-Dyn Language Infrastructure, LINGUISTICS
- **Estimated total:** $320,000
- **Funds obligated:** $320,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 08/15/2025 → 07/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2438489

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2438489, LangDiv: The psycholinguistics of grammatical properties encoded on noun class prefixes. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2438489. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*