Designed as an interdisciplinary hub, the LC-Lab will examine how people perceive, process, and produce language using cutting-edge tools such as eye-tracking and reaction-time measurement. Researchers will primarily focus on Indian languages and multilingual communication patterns to generate new insights into grammar, voice, sentence structure, and linguistic behaviour.

IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti emphasized that modern linguistics relies heavily on empirical and data-driven methods. “India required a dedicated space that merges linguistic theory with experimental and computational research. This lab creates a bridge across linguistics, cognitive science, neuroscience, and AI—helping develop linguistically informed and socially meaningful technologies,” he said.

The LC-Lab will also collaborate closely with the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT Madras to explore how artificial intelligence can model and support India’s linguistic diversity. In the long run, the initiative aims to enable the creation of human-centric, culturally rooted AI systems that represent India’s languages more effectively in emerging technologies.

Faculty Coordinator Anindita Sahoo noted that the new facility is committed to advancing interdisciplinary research by applying technology to understand human behaviour and communication. Current projects include studies on grammatical voice and copula constructions, while upcoming work will focus on dyslexia in Indian children to help devise more effective language-learning interventions.

Future plans include expanding research capabilities through neurocognitive tools such as EEG and TMS, enabling deeper investigations into how the brain processes language. The lab will also encourage collaboration with experts in psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence.

The establishment of the LC-Lab has been supported by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation and Aspire Infolab, Hyderabad, which have contributed significantly to its research infrastructure and development.