On October 29th, the inauguration ceremony of the Department of Linguistics at BLCU, was held in a wonderful performance of Chinese and western music. The president of BLCU professor Liu Li, famous linguist professor Lu Jianming, famous linguist professor Hu Zhuanglin and famous linguist professor Huang Zhengde jointly unveiled the establishment of the department of linguistics.

Nearly 100 experts, teachers and students from home and abroad attended the establishment ceremony. President of BLCU, professor Liu Li delivered the welcome speech. And the whole ceremony was presided over by professor Zhang Baojun, the vice President of BLCU.

Inauguration Ceremony

Professor Liu Li Delivered the Welcome Speech

In his welcoming speech, President liu li said that with the continuous development of domestic linguistic research, the Chinese linguistic circle began to explore innovative theoretical system in line with the actual Chinese language on the basis of inheriting the tradition, and also began to pay attention to the cultivation of specialized linguistic talents with complete knowledge structure of modern linguistics. It can be said that the pursuit of theory and the need for talent training are the direct driving force for the construction of language departments in Chinese universities. Driven by this endogenous dynamic, the department of linguistics at BLCU was formally established today. The birth of this department conforms to the inevitable requirements of three aspects: it is necessary for the university to build a language department of modern significance to serve the national strategy. It is necessary to highlight the independence of linguistics and improve the status of linguistics. It is necessary to strengthen the characteristics of BLCU and realize the goal of build up the first-class university.

President Liu Li raised three hopes for the newly established department of linguistics: firstly, hope that the department of linguistics will strengthen top-level design and development planning, and on the basis of learning from the experience of world-class universities, find out the correct target positioning, define the professional characteristics, and form the talent training program and professional development ideas as soon as possible. Secondly, hope that the department of linguistics can absorb all kinds of theories and theories from all over the world. It is hoped that the   department of linguistics will pay full attention to the traditional Chinese philology represented by “primary schools” and the modern Chinese philology since “Ma Shi WenTong”（《马氏文通》）. In   addition to making efforts to integrate the important principles and achievements of traditional and modern linguistics into the discourse system of modern linguistics, it should also fully absorb and utilize its fine   tradition of rigor, simplicity, and emphasis on materials. So that this new department set up in Chinese universities can reflect the Chinese spirit, Chinese style, make Chinese linguistics become "worldwide" because of "nation"!

Professor Lu Jianming said in his speech that the new department must have its own characteristics. Therefore, after the establishment, it is necessary to carry out serious research on its own development direction, and in the research process, it is also necessary to listen to the opinions and suggestions of colleagues at home and abroad, in order to do a good job in the top-level   design of the department and the department's discipline development direction. Professor Hu Zhuanglin said in his speech that the department of linguistics at BLCU, can not only train more excellent talents for the country and make greater contributions to the promotion of "One Belt And One Road", but can also provide valuable experience for the construction of linguistics in China. Professor David Lightfoot from Georgetown university and professor Catherine Fuchs from the university of Paris also expressed their sincere wishes for the establishment of this new department of linguistics.

Award the Appointment Letter

The head of the new department is professor Si Fuzhen, and internationally renowned linguist   professor Luigi Rizzi has been appointed honorary head of the department of   linguistics. Professor Liu Li, the President of BLCU, has presented the appointment offer to professor Luigi Rizzi.

At the establishment ceremony, professor Guo Peng, director of BLCU discipline   construction office, read out the notice on the establishment of the department of linguistics to the participants.

Head of the linguistics department, Professor Si Fuzhen made a comprehensive explanation   and prospect about the construction and management mode of the department of   linguistics. The Chinese Society of Ethnic Languages, the Chinese National Ancient Writing Research Association, the organizing committee of the   International Linguistics Olympiad, the Eurasia-Pacific Uninet and other   cooperative units all sent congratulatory letters.

The famous linguists, Professor Chomsky and Professor Larson, expressed their blessing   for the establishment of the linguistic department and affirmation for its future development through video interview.

Famous linguist, Professor Noam Chomsky

After the establishment ceremony, the department of linguistics BLCU will hold a   two-day international BBS on frontier linguistics, which will be attended by nearly 100 experts from China, France, the United States, Italy, Hungary, Syria, Japan, South Korea and other countries. More than 30 experts will   present fascinating presentations on the academic history of linguistics, syntax   and phonology, etc.

BLCU as the only university named after “language” in China, has set the construction of   linguistics related disciplines as its educational goal since its stablishment. In recent years, the university has set the goal of building a language university of world-class. The establishment of the department of linguistics will certainly contribute to the early realization of this goal.