Congreso, coloquio o simposio

The Zentrum für kleine und regionale Sprachen [Center for Small and Regional Languages] and the Institut für Frisistik und Minderheitenforschung [Institute for Frisian Studies and Minority Research] at the Europa-Universität Flensburg seek submissions of proposals to a conference on purity in minoritized languages.

A key issue in the study of language policy and planning is to describe – theoretically and practically – the language to be promoted or protected. This often presupposes an essentialist perspective of language: languages are seen to exist as uniform or mono-dimensional entities. It is considered possible to determine what counts and does not count as part of a particular language, with sociolinguistic variation considered to be disturbing and language contact seen as potentially damaging. Notions of purity are invoked implicitly or explicitly to distinguish between what is core to a language and what is peripheral. What appears uncontroversial in everyday life is highly problematic in the systemic and social study of linguistics. This conference seeks to delve deeper into the fundamental nature of this problem by focusing on minoritized and minority languages.

We welcome papers on:

• Purity: does purity play a part in linguistic discussions, how is purity understood or defined, what reasons are suggested to justify excluding certain features from a language
• Norm: how did a linguistic feature shifted from being normal to being the norm; who are the authorities to determine what a norm is and how do norms find their way into actual language use
• Big vs. Small Languages: are there tangible differences between discourses of purity on hegemonic and minoritized languages or varieties
• Popular Discourse: How do speaker communities, gatekeepers, and the general population in an area perceive or evaluate the existence of minoritized languages, their changes to social status and in the linguistic properties of a language
• Activism and Documentation: how are issues of essentialism and purity factors in the documentation and promotion of minoritized languages?

The overarching aim of this conference is to explore dynamics of norm-setting and norm-transmission as means to change the status and use of linguistic features. To allow for good comparison between case studies, contribution should focus on minoritized varieties and languages and make refers to the applicability – or non-applicability – of the notion of purity.

Papers which include a historical dimension are very welcome.

- Abstracts of 150-200 words to be submitted by October 11th, 2024 to nils.langer@uni-flensburg.de.

- Notification of acceptance will be by October 21st, 2024.

Plenary Speakers
Aneta Pavlenko (Drexel University, Philadelphia & University of York, UK)
Julia Sallabank (University of London)
James Hawkey (University of Bristol)

Nils Langer (Flensburg)

Silvia Dal Negro (Bolzano/Bozen)

Henrik Rosenkvist (Göteborg)

Jeff Williams (Texas TU)

Nils Langer (Flensburg)

Silvia Dal Negro (Bolzano/Bozen)

Henrik Rosenkvist (Göteborg)

Jeff Williams (Texas TU)