From A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl Wed Mar 21 11:14:22 2007 From: A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl (Ans van Kemenade) Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:14:22 +0100 Subject: call for papers Message-ID: Call for papers (call deadline 1 September 2007) Transmission and Diffusion: the impact of first and second language learning on language variation and change Venue: Radboud University Nijmegen, Centre for Language Studies The title ‘Transmission and Diffusion’ is inspired by Labov’s recent paper (to appear in Language), in which he attempts to fit together the family tree model of language change with the wave model into a general framework based on changes in language learning ability across the lifespan. The general argument is that the (usually relatively slow) divergence of branches of the family tree is based on the transmission of language structure from adults to children (who learn the native language with depth and perfection), and the incrementation of changes in progress by children. The diffusion of language contact across branches of the tree is primarily the work of adults who do not preserve structural conditions with the same fidelity (as adult second language learning is to varying degrees imperfect), which accounts for the limitations on borrowing of structure. Labov illustrates these issues by case studies on recent and ongoing changes in the sound system of North-eastern American city dialects based on the American Dialect Atlas. The overall model proposed opens a number of perspectives and at the same time raises a number of interesting larger questions that set the theme for this conference. The theme of the conference can be approached on various levels of scale. * the macro-level of (sub-)continental transmission and diffusion patterns, as in historical-comparative work on larger language families such as Amerind, Austronesian and Trans-New Guinea Phylum, or Semitic within Afro-Asiatic * the meso-level of language contact, acquisition, and pidgin and creole studies * the micro-level of more fine-grained (historical) dialectological research, e.g. within the Germanic language area We welcome theoretically informed papers on the following intersecting issues and perspectives: * Issues of convergence vs. divergence: the view that incrementation of change in progress by children is primarily responsible for divergence is relatively well-supported by the shape of the Indo-European family tree. Is the converse also possible, i.e. can relative homogeneity within language branches arise out of original diversity by convergence fuelled by incrementation during first language learning? Such questions can be approached on various scales: the perspective might span the time frame involved in the shaping of a language family tree, but is equally useful when considering the level of dialects, dialect contact resulting from urbanization and so on. Case studies on the role of first and second language learning in convergence and divergence are especially welcome, particularly if they move beyond the realm of sound correspondences and address topics in morpho-syntax as well. * Questions concerning processes involved in first language learning and second language learning: why should first language learning necessarily lead to incrementation of change in progress? One issue with respect to second language learning is whether more drastic language contact and less drastic dialect contact involve the same kinds of processes. * Evidence for first and second language learning, or: making the best of bad data (another notion coined by Labov). There is recent major progress in quantitative research tools tracking down relatively diffuse patterns in historical data, concerning phonological as well as morpho-syntactic diversity. Thus, it is now possible to distinguish typical effects of first and of second language learning, even at considerable historical depth, and including grammatical properties. As a result, sophisticated quantitative methodologies are rapidly being developed to allow more refined research into language/dialect relationships resulting from transmission and/or diffusion than has hitherto been possible. As a research tool, such methodologies may cut both ways: they may serve to separate the effects of stable transmission and of diffusion through language contact in histories of language families; on the other hand, they may help in tracing deeper relationships that may exist with isolated languages that seem typologically remote. Similarly, such methodologies may serve to reveal the superficially rather diffuse effects of dialect contact in situations of urbanization such as arose in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. Case studies developing and using such research tools based on historical corpora and on typological databases are particularly invited. Invited speakers Lyle Campbell (Utah) William Labov (Penn) April McMahon (Edinburgh Jürgen Meisel (Hamburg) Jonathan Owens (Maryland) Russell Gray (Auckland) Fred Weerman (Amsterdam) Donald Winford (Ohio) Abstracts are solicited for 45 minute papers (including 10 minutes discussion). Please send in an abstract of max. one page, single spaced, Times New Roman pt. 12 or equivalent font (excluding references). Abstracts should be sent by 1 September 2007 to HYPERLINK "mailto:transmission.diffusion at let.ru.nl"transmission.diffusion at let.ru.n l. Notification of acceptance can be expected by15 October 2007. The conference is organised by the research programme Language in Time and Space at the Centre for Language Studies CLS Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands, (HYPERLINK "http://www.ru.nl/cls/"http://www.ru.nl/cls/). This group comprises researchers in various departments in the Radboud Faculty of Arts and at the Max Planck Institute, Nijmegen. Working on a variety of languages, they share a common interest in the forces that shape various types of language variation and change, with a strong methodological commitment. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.15/728 - Release Date: 20-3-2007 8:07 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ Histling-l mailing list Histling-l at mailman.rice.edu https://mailman.rice.edu/mailman/listinfo/histling-l From A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl Wed Mar 21 11:20:43 2007 From: A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl (Ans van Kemenade) Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:20:43 +0100 Subject: CORRECTION! call for papers Message-ID: Call for papers (call deadline 1 September 2007) Transmission and Diffusion: the impact of first and second language learning on language variation and change Venue: Radboud University Nijmegen, Centre for Language Studies, 17-19 January 2008 The title ‘Transmission and Diffusion’ is inspired by Labov’s recent paper (to appear in Language), in which he attempts to fit together the family tree model of language change with the wave model into a general framework based on changes in language learning ability across the lifespan. The general argument is that the (usually relatively slow) divergence of branches of the family tree is based on the transmission of language structure from adults to children (who learn the native language with depth and perfection), and the incrementation of changes in progress by children. The diffusion of language contact across branches of the tree is primarily the work of adults who do not preserve structural conditions with the same fidelity (as adult second language learning is to varying degrees imperfect), which accounts for the limitations on borrowing of structure. Labov illustrates these issues by case studies on recent and ongoing changes in the sound system of North-eastern American city dialects based on the American Dialect Atlas. The overall model proposed opens a number of perspectives and at the same time raises a number of interesting larger questions that set the theme for this conference. The theme of the conference can be approached on various levels of scale. * the macro-level of (sub-)continental transmission and diffusion patterns, as in historical-comparative work on larger language families such as Amerind, Austronesian and Trans-New Guinea Phylum, or Semitic within Afro-Asiatic * the meso-level of language contact, acquisition, and pidgin and creole studies * the micro-level of more fine-grained (historical) dialectological research, e.g. within the Germanic language area We welcome theoretically informed papers on the following intersecting issues and perspectives: * Issues of convergence vs. divergence: the view that incrementation of change in progress by children is primarily responsible for divergence is relatively well-supported by the shape of the Indo-European family tree. Is the converse also possible, i.e. can relative homogeneity within language branches arise out of original diversity by convergence fuelled by incrementation during first language learning? Such questions can be approached on various scales: the perspective might span the time frame involved in the shaping of a language family tree, but is equally useful when considering the level of dialects, dialect contact resulting from urbanization and so on. Case studies on the role of first and second language learning in convergence and divergence are especially welcome, particularly if they move beyond the realm of sound correspondences and address topics in morpho-syntax as well. * Questions concerning processes involved in first language learning and second language learning: why should first language learning necessarily lead to incrementation of change in progress? One issue with respect to second language learning is whether more drastic language contact and less drastic dialect contact involve the same kinds of processes. * Evidence for first and second language learning, or: making the best of bad data (another notion coined by Labov). There is recent major progress in quantitative research tools tracking down relatively diffuse patterns in historical data, concerning phonological as well as morpho-syntactic diversity. Thus, it is now possible to distinguish typical effects of first and of second language learning, even at considerable historical depth, and including grammatical properties. As a result, sophisticated quantitative methodologies are rapidly being developed to allow more refined research into language/dialect relationships resulting from transmission and/or diffusion than has hitherto been possible. As a research tool, such methodologies may cut both ways: they may serve to separate the effects of stable transmission and of diffusion through language contact in histories of language families; on the other hand, they may help in tracing deeper relationships that may exist with isolated languages that seem typologically remote. Similarly, such methodologies may serve to reveal the superficially rather diffuse effects of dialect contact in situations of urbanization such as arose in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. Case studies developing and using such research tools based on historical corpora and on typological databases are particularly invited. Invited speakers Lyle Campbell (Utah) William Labov (Penn) April McMahon (Edinburgh Jürgen Meisel (Hamburg) Jonathan Owens (Maryland) Russell Gray (Auckland) Fred Weerman (Amsterdam) Donald Winford (Ohio) Abstracts are solicited for 45 minute papers (including 10 minutes discussion). Please send in an abstract of max. one page, single spaced, Times New Roman pt. 12 or equivalent font (excluding references). Abstracts should be sent by 1 September 2007 to HYPERLINK "mailto:transmission.diffusion at let.ru.nl"transmission.diffusion at let.ru.n l. Notification of acceptance can be expected by15 October 2007. The conference is organised by the research programme Language in Time and Space at the Centre for Language Studies CLS Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands, (HYPERLINK "http://www.ru.nl/cls/"http://www.ru.nl/cls/). This group comprises researchers in various departments in the Radboud Faculty of Arts and at the Max Planck Institute, Nijmegen. Working on a variety of languages, they share a common interest in the forces that shape various types of language variation and change, with a strong methodological commitment. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.15/728 - Release Date: 20-3-2007 8:07 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.15/728 - Release Date: 20-3-2007 8:07 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ Histling-l mailing list Histling-l at mailman.rice.edu https://mailman.rice.edu/mailman/listinfo/histling-l From A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl Wed Mar 21 11:14:22 2007 From: A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl (Ans van Kemenade) Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:14:22 +0100 Subject: call for papers Message-ID: Call for papers (call deadline 1 September 2007) Transmission and Diffusion: the impact of first and second language learning on language variation and change Venue: Radboud University Nijmegen, Centre for Language Studies The title ?Transmission and Diffusion? is inspired by Labov?s recent paper (to appear in Language), in which he attempts to fit together the family tree model of language change with the wave model into a general framework based on changes in language learning ability across the lifespan. The general argument is that the (usually relatively slow) divergence of branches of the family tree is based on the transmission of language structure from adults to children (who learn the native language with depth and perfection), and the incrementation of changes in progress by children. The diffusion of language contact across branches of the tree is primarily the work of adults who do not preserve structural conditions with the same fidelity (as adult second language learning is to varying degrees imperfect), which accounts for the limitations on borrowing of structure. Labov illustrates these issues by case studies on recent and ongoing changes in the sound system of North-eastern American city dialects based on the American Dialect Atlas. The overall model proposed opens a number of perspectives and at the same time raises a number of interesting larger questions that set the theme for this conference. The theme of the conference can be approached on various levels of scale. * the macro-level of (sub-)continental transmission and diffusion patterns, as in historical-comparative work on larger language families such as Amerind, Austronesian and Trans-New Guinea Phylum, or Semitic within Afro-Asiatic * the meso-level of language contact, acquisition, and pidgin and creole studies * the micro-level of more fine-grained (historical) dialectological research, e.g. within the Germanic language area We welcome theoretically informed papers on the following intersecting issues and perspectives: * Issues of convergence vs. divergence: the view that incrementation of change in progress by children is primarily responsible for divergence is relatively well-supported by the shape of the Indo-European family tree. Is the converse also possible, i.e. can relative homogeneity within language branches arise out of original diversity by convergence fuelled by incrementation during first language learning? Such questions can be approached on various scales: the perspective might span the time frame involved in the shaping of a language family tree, but is equally useful when considering the level of dialects, dialect contact resulting from urbanization and so on. Case studies on the role of first and second language learning in convergence and divergence are especially welcome, particularly if they move beyond the realm of sound correspondences and address topics in morpho-syntax as well. * Questions concerning processes involved in first language learning and second language learning: why should first language learning necessarily lead to incrementation of change in progress? One issue with respect to second language learning is whether more drastic language contact and less drastic dialect contact involve the same kinds of processes. * Evidence for first and second language learning, or: making the best of bad data (another notion coined by Labov). There is recent major progress in quantitative research tools tracking down relatively diffuse patterns in historical data, concerning phonological as well as morpho-syntactic diversity. Thus, it is now possible to distinguish typical effects of first and of second language learning, even at considerable historical depth, and including grammatical properties. As a result, sophisticated quantitative methodologies are rapidly being developed to allow more refined research into language/dialect relationships resulting from transmission and/or diffusion than has hitherto been possible. As a research tool, such methodologies may cut both ways: they may serve to separate the effects of stable transmission and of diffusion through language contact in histories of language families; on the other hand, they may help in tracing deeper relationships that may exist with isolated languages that seem typologically remote. Similarly, such methodologies may serve to reveal the superficially rather diffuse effects of dialect contact in situations of urbanization such as arose in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. Case studies developing and using such research tools based on historical corpora and on typological databases are particularly invited. Invited speakers Lyle Campbell (Utah) William Labov (Penn) April McMahon (Edinburgh J?rgen Meisel (Hamburg) Jonathan Owens (Maryland) Russell Gray (Auckland) Fred Weerman (Amsterdam) Donald Winford (Ohio) Abstracts are solicited for 45 minute papers (including 10 minutes discussion). Please send in an abstract of max. one page, single spaced, Times New Roman pt. 12 or equivalent font (excluding references). Abstracts should be sent by 1 September 2007 to HYPERLINK "mailto:transmission.diffusion at let.ru.nl"transmission.diffusion at let.ru.n l. Notification of acceptance can be expected by15 October 2007. The conference is organised by the research programme Language in Time and Space at the Centre for Language Studies CLS Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands, (HYPERLINK "http://www.ru.nl/cls/"http://www.ru.nl/cls/). This group comprises researchers in various departments in the Radboud Faculty of Arts and at the Max Planck Institute, Nijmegen. Working on a variety of languages, they share a common interest in the forces that shape various types of language variation and change, with a strong methodological commitment. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.15/728 - Release Date: 20-3-2007 8:07 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ Histling-l mailing list Histling-l at mailman.rice.edu https://mailman.rice.edu/mailman/listinfo/histling-l From A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl Wed Mar 21 11:20:43 2007 From: A.v.Kemenade at let.ru.nl (Ans van Kemenade) Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:20:43 +0100 Subject: CORRECTION! call for papers Message-ID: Call for papers (call deadline 1 September 2007) Transmission and Diffusion: the impact of first and second language learning on language variation and change Venue: Radboud University Nijmegen, Centre for Language Studies, 17-19 January 2008 The title ?Transmission and Diffusion? is inspired by Labov?s recent paper (to appear in Language), in which he attempts to fit together the family tree model of language change with the wave model into a general framework based on changes in language learning ability across the lifespan. The general argument is that the (usually relatively slow) divergence of branches of the family tree is based on the transmission of language structure from adults to children (who learn the native language with depth and perfection), and the incrementation of changes in progress by children. The diffusion of language contact across branches of the tree is primarily the work of adults who do not preserve structural conditions with the same fidelity (as adult second language learning is to varying degrees imperfect), which accounts for the limitations on borrowing of structure. Labov illustrates these issues by case studies on recent and ongoing changes in the sound system of North-eastern American city dialects based on the American Dialect Atlas. The overall model proposed opens a number of perspectives and at the same time raises a number of interesting larger questions that set the theme for this conference. The theme of the conference can be approached on various levels of scale. * the macro-level of (sub-)continental transmission and diffusion patterns, as in historical-comparative work on larger language families such as Amerind, Austronesian and Trans-New Guinea Phylum, or Semitic within Afro-Asiatic * the meso-level of language contact, acquisition, and pidgin and creole studies * the micro-level of more fine-grained (historical) dialectological research, e.g. within the Germanic language area We welcome theoretically informed papers on the following intersecting issues and perspectives: * Issues of convergence vs. divergence: the view that incrementation of change in progress by children is primarily responsible for divergence is relatively well-supported by the shape of the Indo-European family tree. Is the converse also possible, i.e. can relative homogeneity within language branches arise out of original diversity by convergence fuelled by incrementation during first language learning? Such questions can be approached on various scales: the perspective might span the time frame involved in the shaping of a language family tree, but is equally useful when considering the level of dialects, dialect contact resulting from urbanization and so on. Case studies on the role of first and second language learning in convergence and divergence are especially welcome, particularly if they move beyond the realm of sound correspondences and address topics in morpho-syntax as well. * Questions concerning processes involved in first language learning and second language learning: why should first language learning necessarily lead to incrementation of change in progress? One issue with respect to second language learning is whether more drastic language contact and less drastic dialect contact involve the same kinds of processes. * Evidence for first and second language learning, or: making the best of bad data (another notion coined by Labov). There is recent major progress in quantitative research tools tracking down relatively diffuse patterns in historical data, concerning phonological as well as morpho-syntactic diversity. Thus, it is now possible to distinguish typical effects of first and of second language learning, even at considerable historical depth, and including grammatical properties. As a result, sophisticated quantitative methodologies are rapidly being developed to allow more refined research into language/dialect relationships resulting from transmission and/or diffusion than has hitherto been possible. As a research tool, such methodologies may cut both ways: they may serve to separate the effects of stable transmission and of diffusion through language contact in histories of language families; on the other hand, they may help in tracing deeper relationships that may exist with isolated languages that seem typologically remote. Similarly, such methodologies may serve to reveal the superficially rather diffuse effects of dialect contact in situations of urbanization such as arose in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. Case studies developing and using such research tools based on historical corpora and on typological databases are particularly invited. Invited speakers Lyle Campbell (Utah) William Labov (Penn) April McMahon (Edinburgh J?rgen Meisel (Hamburg) Jonathan Owens (Maryland) Russell Gray (Auckland) Fred Weerman (Amsterdam) Donald Winford (Ohio) Abstracts are solicited for 45 minute papers (including 10 minutes discussion). Please send in an abstract of max. one page, single spaced, Times New Roman pt. 12 or equivalent font (excluding references). Abstracts should be sent by 1 September 2007 to HYPERLINK "mailto:transmission.diffusion at let.ru.nl"transmission.diffusion at let.ru.n l. Notification of acceptance can be expected by15 October 2007. The conference is organised by the research programme Language in Time and Space at the Centre for Language Studies CLS Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands, (HYPERLINK "http://www.ru.nl/cls/"http://www.ru.nl/cls/). This group comprises researchers in various departments in the Radboud Faculty of Arts and at the Max Planck Institute, Nijmegen. Working on a variety of languages, they share a common interest in the forces that shape various types of language variation and change, with a strong methodological commitment. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.15/728 - Release Date: 20-3-2007 8:07 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.15/728 - Release Date: 20-3-2007 8:07 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ Histling-l mailing list Histling-l at mailman.rice.edu https://mailman.rice.edu/mailman/listinfo/histling-l