Email: dine.mamadou@rutgers.edu
Web: https://dinemamadou.wixsite.com/dinemamadou
Postal: Rutgers University
Department of Linguistics
18 Seminary Place
New Brunswick
NJ 08904
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Phonetics & Phonology, Computational & Mathematical Phonology and Tones & Intonation
EDUCATION
2017-Current Rutgers University
Ph.D. Candidate in Linguistics
2017 University of Iowa
MA in Linguistics
Master’s Thesis: Influences of level tones on vowel length in Yoruba
Advisor: Jill Beckman
2013 University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin)
BA in linguistics, graduated cum laude
Bachelor’s Thesis: Numerals in Caabe
Advisor: Flavien Gbéto
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Technical
R (Intermediate), Python (Beginner), Praat (Advanced), LATEX (Advanced),
Natural
Yoruba (Native), French (Native), English (Native-like), Fɔngbe (Fluent), Baatonum & Dɛndicinɛ (Fluent).
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Linguistic Engineer at Facebook (via PRO Unlimited) Aug 2020 - Oct 2020, New York City, NY
· Improved user experience by raising the virtual assistance's understanding of French messaging prompts from 91% to 94%.
· Stood up the reminder domain for French NLU, thus expanding and adding a new user experience to the virtual assistant.
· Created and annotated test data; wrote the Data Creation Instructions (DCIs) and annotation guidelines, and worked with vendors to collect production test data.
· Participated in internationalization projects in areas such Natural Language Understanding (NLU), Generation (NLG) and Processing (NLP).
PUBLICATIONS
2020 Mamadou Y., T; Jardine, A. Representation and the Computation of Long Distance Tone Processes. Supplemental Proceedings of the 2019 Annual Meeting on Phonology. Washington, DC: Linguistic Society of America.
MANUSCRIPTS
2020 Mamadou Y., T. Input Melody Local Functions and the Computation of Tone. Second Qualifying Paper. Advisor: Prof. Adam Jardine; Rutgers University, Spring 2020.
2020 Mamadou Y., T; Dai, H.; D’Imperio, M. The Unusual Prosody of Questions and Statements in Caabe.
2019 Akinlabi, A. ; Mamadou Y. T. ; Mitchley, H. ; Gondo, B. The Syntax and Phonology of Dan. In Prep.
2019 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Word-level Accent in Zarma. First Qualifying Paper. Advisor: Prof. Akinlabi Akinbiyi; Rutgers University, Spring 2019.
2019 Camargo, Livia; Mamadou Y. T. Prosody and nasality in two Panoan languagues
2018 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. The Acoustics of Shouting: A case study of English vowels. Independent project. Advisor: Joseph Casillas; Rutgers University, Spring 2018.
2017 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Influences of level tones on vowel length in Yoruba. MA project. Advisor: Jill Beckman; University of Iowa.
2016 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Stress in Tagalog. Final Paper. Supervisor: William D. Davies; University of Iowa.
2013 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Numerals in Èdè tʃáàbɛ́. BA project. Advisor: Flavien Gbéto; University of Abomey-Calavi.
PRESENTATIONS
Talks:
2020 Mamadou, T. Representation in the Computation of Tone. Ling Open House.
2019 Akinlabi, A. ; Mamadou Y. T. ; Mitchley, H. ; Gondo, B. The Syntax and Phonology of Dan. ACAL, UBC, Vancouver (CANADA), May 2019.
2019 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Word Accent in Zarma. ACAL, UBC, Vancouver (CANADA), May 2019.
2019 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Word-level Accent in Zarma. PhoNE, Yale, April 2019.
2019 Souza, L. & Mamadou Y., T. Prosody and nasality in two Panoan languages of the Yaminawa dialect complex. SAL, Berkeley, February 2019.
2018 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. F0-vowel Duration is not Universally Negative. RULingXIII. Rutgers University, May 2018.
2018 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Influences of level tones on vowel length in Yoruba. 49th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL49). University of Michigan, March 22-25, 2018.
2017 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Phrasal Construction Tonology (based on Harry & Hyman 2014). Linguistics Round Table. The University of Iowa, February 9, 2017.
2017 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Stress in Tagalog. Linguistics Round Table. The University of Iowa, February 2, 2017.
2016 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. DPs in Swahili. Class Presentation. The University of Iowa, Fall 2016.
2016 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Acoustic properties of vowels in shouted (Mid-western) American English. Linguistics Round Table. The University of Iowa, October 7, 2016.
2013 Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Numerals in Èdè tʃáàbɛ́. BA thesis Defense. The University of Abomey-Calavi, February 20, 2013.
Poster:
2019 Mamadou, T.; Jardine, A. Representation and the Computation of Tone Processes. AMP, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY .
2012: Mamadou Y., Tadjou-N’Dine. Tone spreading in Èdè tʃáàbɛ́ numerals. Colloque Interdisciplinaire en Sciences Humaines (Human Sciences Interdisciplinary Colloquium). University of Abomey-Calavi, November 16-17, 2012.
ADHOC REVIEWING
2017 Reviewed Abstracts for the GLOW/PLC 2018 conference. Oct/Nov 2017.
2017 Reviewed Abstracts for the OCP 2018 conference in London. October 2017.
TEACHING
Main Instructor
2022 Summer
Introduction to Phonology | Tone; African Linguistics School, Porto-Novo, Benin
2020 Spring
Introduction to Linguistics Theory; Rutgers University
2017 Spring
ESL Credit: Listening. University of Iowa.
2016 Fall
ESL Credit: Listening. University of Iowa.
Assistance
2019 Fall
Introduction to Linguistics Theory. Taught the recitation Section. Rutgers University
2016 Spring
Introduction to Linguistics. Held regular Office Hours along with lecture led by Brooke Larson. Graded exams. University of Iowa.
2015 Fall
Introduction to Linguistics. Held regular Office Hours along with lecture led by Catherine Ringen. Graded exams. University of Iowa.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP
2017 Data Entry, African Anaphora Project (AFRANAPH). Ken Safir. Rutgers University.
2011-2013 Research Assistant at LABODYLCAL (Linguistic Dynamics Lab). Data policing
on data collected on coarticulation effects in Gbè languages. University of Abomey-Calavi.
FIELD EXPERIENCE
2019 Caabe (Benue-Congo, Benin): Conducted field work in Cotonou, recording native speakers of Ede Caabe from December 15 to January 16, 2020.
2018 Zarma (Sonray-Zarma, Niger): Conducted field work in Niamey, recording native Zarma speakers from June 24 to July 4.
2012 Caabe (Benue-Congo, Benin): Conducted field work in Tchaourou and Savè, collecting data on Èdè tʃáàbɛ́ numerals.
OTHER EDUCATION
2016 Summer Teaching Practicum
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
2013 African Linguistics School (3rd Ed.)
Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria.
SERVICES
2019 Panel Moderator at the Center for African Studies (CAS)’s Global Africa Symposium.
Rutgers University
2017 Department of Linguistics’ Representative at the Graduate Students Association. Rutgers University
2016 Student Representative at Faculty Meetings in the Department of Linguistics. University of Iowa
2015 Senator for the Department of Linguistics at the Graduate Students Senate.
University of Iowa
2012 Vice-President of the Beninese Northern Students’ Association.
University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
2010 Chairman of the Titigweti English Club (The English Club of the English Department). University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
GRANTS
2022 Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Fieldwork
Philosophical Society of America
2018 CAS Graduate Student Enhancement Grant
Rutgers University
2017 Prestigious Diversity Fellowship
Rutgers University
2007-2011 Valley Foundation Scholarship for Academic Excellence (Fondation de France)
Porto-Novo, Benin