Call for Papers: Forging Linguistic Indentities Conference

Towson University

CALL FOR PAPERS: Forging Linguistic Identities
March 12-14, 2015

Department of Foreign Languages
Towson University,
Towson, Maryland  21252

Keynote Speaker:
Dr. José Del Valle,
Professor of Hispanic Linguistics,
Graduate Center at the City University of New York

The Department of Foreign Languages at Towson University announces a conference, “Forging Linguistic Identities” to be held on March 12-14, 2015 and invites proposals for papers.  The conference seeks to examine language as socially embedded within historical and geographical contexts. Possible topics might include, but not be limited to:

-   Dialects/diglossia and their role in group identity formation

-   The standardization of national and/or majority language(s) and its impact on national or regional politics

-    Multi-lingualism in states and regions and its negotiation and practice by the communities of use.     

-    Use(s) of indigenous languages under transnational states

-    National reception of dialect/minority-language literature and verbal culture

-    Migration

-   Translation studies

The scope of the conference is not limited by region, language, or time period.  Proposals involving languages taught by the Department of Foreign Languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Ancient Greek, Biblical and Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish) are especially encouraged.  Proposals are welcomed across disciplines, from scholars of languages and literatures, geography, history, psychology and sociology.  Please send an abstract of 250 words by email to: Prof. George McCool (gmccool@towson.edu).  Please include your name, full address, institution affiliation, day telephone, fax and email address.  Please note that Conference papers must be limited to 20 minutes.

Faculty at all ranks are encouraged to participate.  Travel costs will be assumed by the participants.  We will offer discounted hotel rooms near campus, and a graduated scale of conference fees.

A peer-reviewed publication of selected acts is tentatively planned.

Deadline for submissions is October 1, 2014.

Posted: May 15, 2014, 4:30 PM