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WITH APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTINGS<br><br>
<div align="center"><b>NEW REFLECTIONS ON GRAMMATICALIZATION 4<br><br>
<a href="http://wwwling.arts.kuleuven.be/nrg4/" eudora="autourl">
http://wwwling.arts.kuleuven.be/nrg4/<br><br>
</a>Leuven, 16-19 July 2008<br><br>
</b></div>
Since the 1980s, grammaticalization has held an important place in
linguistic research. Early grammaticalization studies explored
morphosyntactic change, building on Lehmann's ([1982] 1995) seminal study
on processes and parameters of grammaticalization. This type of
grammaticalization mainly focuses on the change of free syntactic units
into highly constrained morphemes with a grammatical function. A more
recent tradition, initiated by Traugott (1982) and elaborated, for
example, in Traugott (1989, 1995, 1996), focuses on semantic-pragmatic
change in grammaticalization. Over the last years, three conferences
(Potsdam 1999, Amsterdam 2002, Santiago de Compostela 2005) presented
reflections on grammaticalization, adducing new evidence --and sometimes
counterevidence-- for the concept of grammaticalization.<br><br>
The purpose of this fourth NRG conference is to bring together innovating
papers that explore the boundaries of the current grammaticalization
research. As such, in addition to contributions on the 'traditional'
areas of grammaticalization, we especially welcome contributions
addressing issues in grammaticalization such as: <br>
<ul>
<li>Grammaticalization and constructions;
<li>Grammaticalization and the classification of transitional and
gradient linguistic phenomena;
<li>Micro-processes of grammaticalization;
<li>Grammaticalization, idiomaticization and lexicalization;
<li>Grammaticalization and the structure of discourse;
<li>Grammaticalization and/versus pragmaticalization and
(inter-)subjectification;
<li>Formal(-semantic) approaches to grammaticalization;
<li>Accounts of degrammaticalization
</ul> <br>
We are also looking for contributions that address the relationship
between grammaticalization and analogy. Furthermore, we are seeking
contributions that highlight the importance of such usage-based factors
as frequency and entrenchment for grammaticalization, and that, in
general, devote attention to quantitative data in support of
grammaticalization processes. Finally, we welcome papers on what computer
simulations of the evolution/emergence of human communication can tell us
about grammaticalization.<br><br>
<br>
PLENARY SPEAKERS<br><br>
Laurel Brinton (University of British Columbia)<br>
John W. Du Bois (University of California at Santa Barbara)<br>
Regine Eckardt (University of Goettingen)<br>
Muriel Norde (University of Groningen)<br>
Graeme Trousdale (University of Edinburgh)<br>
Richard Waltereit (University of Newcastle)<br><br>
<br>
CONVENORS<br><br>
Bert Cornillie (University of Leuven - FWO-Flanders)<br>
Hubert Cuyckens (University of Leuven)<br>
Kristin Davidse (University of Leuven)<br>
Torsten Leuschner (University of Ghent)<br>
Tanja Mortelmans (University of Antwerp)<br><br>
<br>
CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOPS<br><br>
Papers are invited on the aspects of grammaticalization within the
framework outlined above. Presentations will be 20 minutes with 10
minutes question time.<br><br>
Abstracts should not exceed 500 words (exclusive of references) and
should state research questions, approach, method, data and (expected)
results. Abstracts will be reviewed anonymously. <br><br>
<br>
Proposals for workshops are also welcome. Since we would like all
conference participants to be able to attend individual workshop
presentations, NRG3 workshops have to be compatible with the main
conference programme. This means that the format of the workshops must be
organized around 30 minute presentations (20 min. + 10 min. discussion).
Each workshop should comprise:
<ol>
<li>An introductory paper by the convenor(s). It should summarize
previous research, specify the approaches to be found in the workshop and
explain the scope of the papers to be given.
<li>Up to 5 papers (20/30 min. + 10 min. discussion). The preference is
for one-day workshops, but other schedules may also be considered.
<li>Final discussion (up to 90 min.) on topics covered by the papers,
methodological issues and questions for future research.
</ol>More detailed information and instructions to all the participants
will be provided in due course by the convenors of the workshops.
<br><br>
The <b>deadline</b> for the submission of abstracts and workshop
proposals (with abstracts) is <b>1 December 2007</b>. Notification of
acceptance will be given by <b>30 January 2008</b>. <br><br>
<br>
PUBLICATION OF PAPERS<br><br>
It is the organizers' intention to publish a selection of the conference
papers.<br><br>
<br>
SOCIAL PROGRAMME<br><br>
There will be a reception and a conference dinner. One of the four
conference days will be held at the University of Antwerp, and will
include an excursion. A post-conference excursion to Bruges and Ghent
will take place on 20 July.<br><br>
<br>
TRANSPORT<br><br>
Brussels National Airport is located a short distance between Leuven and
Brussels. Travelling to and from the airport is easy.<br><br>
There is a direct train link from Leuven to the airport and from the
airport to Leuven or you can take the Airport City Express to Brussels.
Schedules for these lines, as well as for train service throughout the
whole of Belgium (and international trains), are available on the
<a href="http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/">Belgian National Railways</a>
(SNCB/NMBS) website; enter Brussels Airport as the departure or
destination station.<br><br>
<BR>
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