Stadt: Mainz

Frist: 2017-02-28

Beginn: 2017-07-13

Ende: 2017-07-15

URL: http://www.pluricentriclanguages.org/ndv-conf-mainz-2017/

CfP – 5th World Conference on pluricentric languages NDV
Models of pluricentricity: Nation, space and language

The notion of pluricentricity was introduced into the linguistic discussion by Kloss (1967) and became a major field of research through Clyne’s memorable work on the matter. Since Clyne (1992), both the concept itself and pluricentricity at a cultural level have been subject to constant discussion. The aim of the 6th World Conference on Pluricentric Languages – taking place for the very first time in Germany, at Johannes Gutenberg University/Mainz – is to focus particularly on the influence of geographic aspects for the emergence and evolution of dominant and non-dominant varieties.

The concept of pluricentricity is based on the idea that the geographic expansion of a language, particularly in post-colonial societies, might lead to the emergence of new (standard) varieties. Nevertheless, the particular problems arising in scenarios where polycentric varieties of one and the same language coexist in a geographic continuum are still underresearched. This holds true just as much of, e.g., Austrian, Swiss and German German as it does of the different dominant and NDV of Spanish in Latin America. Therefore, the main goal of the conference is to further advance in the understanding of whether geographically contiguous varieties follow the same pathways in their affirmation as own varieties as do geographically separated ones (e.g. European and Brazilian Portuguese). Any contribution based on sociolinguistic parameters, linguistic policy and phonetic/(morpho-)syntactic/ morphologic/semantic/pragmatic evidence is welcome and any of the additional leitmotifs outlined below can be approached from a theoretical or empirical perspective.

Taking into consideration that variation (and contact) constitutes the precursor of language change – itself a necessary condition for the evolution of a historic language towards a pluricentric one – a main focus of the conference is the role of immigration and language contact. Particularly (but by no means exclusively) welcome are papers focusing on language contact settings in Asia and Africa, both regions characterized by a substantial lack of research with regard to pluricentricity.

Furthermore, we explicitly encourage both grammatical and sociolinguistic contributions that tackle the problem of varieties whose status is in between an NDV of a pluricentric language and a dialect, as is the case of Bavarian in Germany. In particular, papers could address, test, and verify/falsify the implications of recent studies on variation with respect to the theoretical modelling of pluricentricity as a continuum between dialect and dominant variety (like Brazilian Portuguese or American English).

Finally, an additional main topic of the conference will be linguistic policy and its relevance for the implementation or suppression of varieties. Thinking, for instance, of the example of Russian varieties, where linguistic unity is artificially evoked at the expense of a complex linguistic reality, what is the role of linguistic policy when it comes to preserving or corroborating geopolitical cohesion? At the same time, there are varieties that still lack a broadly accepted standard due to the competition of several centres, and where observing and understanding linguistic policy is crucial since it is not yet clear which of the candidates will turn out to be the normative centre of the future (e.g. the case of Catalan).

We look forward to bringing together young and established researchers working on pluricentric constellations and linguistic cultures all around the world. Submissions of papers by young researchers are particularly encouraged.
Conference on pluricentric languages NDV
Models of linguistic pluricentricity – interfaces of variation, change and geography

The notion of pluricentricity was introduced into the linguistic discussion by Kloss (1967) and became a major field of research through Clyne’s memorable work on the matter. Since Clyne (1992), both the concept itself and pluricentricity at a cultural level have been subject to constant discussion. The aim of the 6th World Conference on Pluricentric Languages – taking place for the very first time in Germany, at Johannes Gutenberg University/Mainz – is to focus particularly on the influence of geographic aspects for the emergence and evolution of dominant and non-dominant varieties.

The concept of pluricentricity is based on the idea that the geographic expansion of a language, particularly in post-colonial societies, might lead to the emergence of new (standard) varieties. Nevertheless, the particular problems arising in scenarios where polycentric varieties of one and the same language coexist in a geographic continuum are still underresearched. This holds true just as much of, e.g., Austrian, Swiss and German German as it does of the different dominant and NDV of Spanish in Latin America. Therefore, the main goal of the conference is to further advance in the understanding of whether geographically contiguous varieties follow the same pathways in their affirmation as own varieties as do geographically separated ones (e.g. European and Brazilian Portuguese). Any contribution based on sociolinguistic parameters, linguistic policy and phonetic/(morpho-)syntactic/ morphologic/semantic/pragmatic evidence is welcome and any of the additional leitmotifs outlined below can be approached from a theoretical or empirical perspective.

Taking into consideration that variation (and contact) constitutes the precursor of language change – itself a necessary condition for the evolution of a historic language towards a pluricentric one – a main focus of the conference is the role of immigration and language contact. Particularly (but by no means exclusively) welcome are papers focusing on language contact settings in Asia and Africa, both regions characterized by a substantial lack of research with regard to pluricentricity.

Furthermore, we explicitly encourage both grammatical and sociolinguistic contributions that tackle the problem of varieties whose status is in between an NDV of a pluricentric language and a dialect, as is the case of Bavarian in Germany. In particular, papers could address, test, and verify/falsify the implications of recent studies on variation with respect to the theoretical modelling of pluricentricity as a continuum between dialect and dominant variety (like Brazilian Portuguese or American English).

Finally, an additional main topic of the conference will be linguistic policy and its relevance for the implementation or suppression of varieties. Thinking, for instance, of the example of Russian varieties, where linguistic unity is artificially evoked at the expense of a complex linguistic reality, what is the role of linguistic policy when it comes to preserving or corroborating geopolitical cohesion? At the same time, there are varieties that still lack a broadly accepted standard due to the competition of several centres, and where observing and understanding linguistic policy is crucial since it is not yet clear which of the candidates will turn out to be the normative centre of the future (e.g. the case of Catalan).

We look forward to bringing together young and established researchers working on pluricentric constellations and linguistic cultures all around the world. Submissions of papers by young researchers are particularly encouraged.

Please submit your abstracts until February 28th, 2017.

You find all necessary information on the web site of the conference: http://www.ndv-conf.org

We hope to welcome you in July 2017 in a challenging and productive environment at Erbacher Hof/Mainz!

Beitrag von: Benjamin Lucas Meisnitzer

Redaktion: Marcel Schmitt