Comprehensive Research OrganizationWaseda University

The institute consists of researchers with a wide range of specialties, including theoretical linguistics, applied linguistics, brain science, speech engineering, and robotics. The institute transcends the boundaries between the humanities and sciences, and conducts a wide variety of research related to human-to-human and human-to-machine communication under the common theme of “language”. In addition, the researchers conduct joint research within the institute, drawing on the strengths of their respective areas of expertise. Currently, the following research themes are being pursued:

(1) Research on the perception and understanding of various English dialects
In light of the diversification of English as a lingua franca, we are investigating the perception and understanding of various Asian and African English dialects, different from the conventional Standard American English and Standard British English models of pronunciation in English language teaching. In addition, we are investigating the perception of English pronunciation by learners of English with different native languages, such as French, German and Spanish, and their responses and strategies for understanding English pronunciation.

(2) To examine the acquisition of foreign languages other than English (third languages) and the impact of second languages on third language acquisition.
Together with data on the perception and comprehension of various English dialects, such as French, German, Spanish, etc. (1), the project aims to elucidate the mechanisms of perception and comprehension of second and third language dialect speech and vocabulary acquisition.

(3) Development of software for second and third language speech acquisition.
Development of pronunciation correction and vocabulary acquisition software for classroom and individual use. This research is a collaboration with Archean Technologies of France.

(4) Research into the understanding of human speech
Scientific research on speech and language for speech and image recognition, human communication such as conversation and SNS, and communication with robots.

One of the other major roles of the Institute for the Science of Speech Project is to maintain research facilities for language, speech, and psycholinguistics on campus. Despite the large number of researchers in linguistics, Waseda University has no department of linguistics with any research facilities. It also serves as a contact point for collaborative research in linguistics with researchers from outside the university.
In addition, the institute holds seminars for students every semester.