KazNU launches an international multimodal school

The grand opening of the International Scientific School "Modern Approaches to Discourse Research: Multimodal Research" took place at al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

The large-scale scientific event was organized jointly with Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU) as part of the long-term fruitful cooperation between the leading universities of Kazakhstan and Russia.

The school brought together leading scientists, doctoral students and students to discuss advanced methods of linguistic analysis.

The moderator of the event, Professor Nursulu Shaimerdenova, read out the welcoming speech of the Chairman of the Board, Rector of Al–Farabi Kazakh National University Zhanseit Tuimebayev. In his address, the head of the university stressed that holding this school is an important step in the development of modern linguistic science and strengthening scientific ties.

"During my diplomatic career as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation, I became convinced of the special importance of humanitarian and scientific cooperation between our countries. Today, this is receiving a new meaningful development within the framework of joint educational and research projects. Modern research on discourse, especially in its multimodal dimension, opens up new horizons for understanding language as a complex socio–cultural phenomenon",- the rector noted in his message. Zhanseit Tuimebayev also expressed deep gratitude to Irina Krayeva, Rector of MSLU, for supporting the project and contributing to the development of international cooperation.

A representative delegation from MGLU took part in the work of the school. The key report on the results of experimental research was delivered by the Deputy Director of the Center for Sociocognitive Discourse Studies at MSLU, Professor Maria Kiose. She emphasized that linguistics today goes beyond the study of text alone, emphasizing that multimodal communication includes not only speech, but also gestures, looks, and facial expressions.

Of particular interest was the report by Anna Leontieva, head of the MSLU Sign Language Research Laboratory, who spoke about verbal and non-verbal behavior during simultaneous interpretation.

During the school's work, participants will conduct a series of master classes on polymodal analysis in the ELAN program and discuss the prospects for joint projects in the field of sociolinguistics and cognitive research.

Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University