On 26th February 2026 the Linguistic Society of Germany DGfS (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sprachwissenschaft) honoured Professor Aditi Lahiri’s contribution to linguistics in Germany by awarding her the Wilhelm von Humboldt Award for Lifetime Achievements in Linguistics (Wilhelm-von-Humboldt-Preis für das Lebenswerk). The award is given out biennially to a person whose work has substantially influenced the development of linguistics in Germany and beyond for several decades.
Professor Sophie Repp the President of the DGfS said “Professor Aditi Lahiri has had a large impact in linguistics in Germany and beyond through her outstanding scientific work as laid down in her numerous, high-profile publications, and through the education of students and young scientists under her supervision at the University of Konstanz, who are shaping Germany’s linguistics landscape today.”
Professor Lahiri was also presented with 2000 euros, which she returned so that it could be given as a special prize for a postdoctoral fellow on the event of the 50th anniversary of the DGfS in 2 years time. There are currently prizes for life time achievements and PhD student, but not for a postdoc.
The photo shows (from left to right) Professor Miriam Butt, Professor Aditi Lahiri, Professor Sophie Repp the President of the DGfS, and Professor Anke Himmelreich, Vice President of the DGfS