Kanpur, 9 December 2023: The prestigious South Asian Forum on the Acquisition and Processing of Language (SAFAL) marked its fourth edition with a transformative gathering hosted at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Collocated with the forthcoming 10th Annual Conference of Cognitive Science (ACCS-X), SAFAL 2023 opened with Professor Narayanan Srinivasan, Head of the Department of Cognitive Science at IIT Kanpur, welcoming attendees to an enriching experience filled with keynotes and discussions.

In a captivating session, Prof Himanshu Yadav from the Department of Cognitive Science navigated the intricate landscape of sentence processing complexities, shedding light on the necessity for computational models and nuanced attention to individual differences. Yadav's approach promises profound insights into phenomena such as agreement attraction and similarity-based interference, challenging conventional methods and enriching our theoretical understanding of language processing.

The subsequent keynote address by Prof. Ramesh Kumar Mishra, Center for Neural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hyderabad disrupted traditional models of bilingual cognition, illustrating how language, deeply intertwined with environment and social interactions, demands constant cognitive adaptability, particularly in bilinguals within culturally diverse settings like India. Mishra's research, grounded in laboratory experiments, showcased the dynamic adaptability of bilinguals in language production and cognitive control, urging a revaluation of cognitive strategies in understanding language control in diverse settings.

The conference reached its zenith with Prof. Prakash Padakannaya from CHRIST University Bengaluru's presentation on developmental dyslexia across multiple languages and orthographies. Padakannaya's insights highlighted the intricate nature of developmental dyslexia, emphasizing the pivotal role of phonology. The sessions spurred engaging discussions, encapsulating the essence of SAFAL 2023's collaborative spirit.

Amidst these educational keynotes, SAFAL 2023 buzzed with interactive talk and poster sessions. Researchers across the nation unveiled their groundbreaking work, fostering in-depth discussions with a captivated audience. The breadth of topics covered ranged from the intricacies of language production to the nuances of comprehension and cognitive processes in children, and the complexities of language in different contexts and conditions. These sessions, characterized by scholarly rigor, sparked vibrant exchanges of knowledge, fueling thought-provoking discussions among the participants.

Interspersed breaks throughout the day provided attendees with valuable opportunities for rejuvenation and networking, creating a dynamic atmosphere that kept minds engaged and interactions vibrant. Culminating in a day of scholarly exchange, SAFAL 2023 lived up to its name, successfully fostering a wealth of knowledge and collaborative spirit within the cognitive science community.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared to be to be an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. IIT Kanpur is best known for the highest standard of its education in science and engineering and seminal R&D contributions over the years. The institute has a sprawling lush green campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 25 centers and 3 interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 570 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.