*** apologies for cross-posting ***<br><br>ELAP Workshop: Beliefs and Ideology on Endangered Languages<br>Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February, 2009<br><br>Convenors: Peter K. Austin, Julia Sallabank, Endangered Languages Academic Programme, Department of Linguistics, SOAS <br>
<br>Location:<br>Day 1: Birkbeck, rooms 152 and 153, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E <a href="http://www.bbk.ac.uk/maps/howtogethere">http://www.bbk.ac.uk/maps/howtogethere</a> <br>Day 2: SOAS, room G50, Thornhaugh St, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG <a href="http://www.soas.ac.uk/visitors/location/maps/campus-maps.php">http://www.soas.ac.uk/visitors/location/maps/campus-maps.php</a> <br>
<br>Topic<br><br>The goal of the workshop is to highlight and discuss theoretical and practical issues in the area of beliefs and ideology on endangered languages, and especially views that have implications for language support and revitalisation. Language ideologies have been described as 'socioculturally motivated ideas, perceptions and expectations of language, manifested in all sorts of language use' Blommaert (1999:1). Blommaert goes on to suggest that 'there is now a widespread recognition of language ideologies as a crucial topic of debate … when it comes to assessing the motives and causes for certain types of language change'. The study of language ideologies and beliefs may therefore provide insights into the reasons for language shift and/or revival, and may help to determine the success or otherwise of language revitalisation projects. <br>
<br>Among the issues to be considered could be:<br><br>1. Are endangered languages fundamentally different from other languages when it comes to beliefs and ideology? <br><br>2. What, if any, are the consequences for language support and revitalisation of the beliefs held by speakers of endangered languages?<br>
<br>3. To what extent can beliefs and ideologies be influenced by campaigning and language planning?<br><br>4. What beliefs and ideologies do linguists have about endangered languages? Are these in conflict with those of communities?<br>
<br>5. Fishman speaks of the need for "establishing ideological clarity" before any revitalisation project can begin. How is this best achieved?<br><br>Case studies will presented on the role of beliefs and ideology in endangered languages research, especially in the context of revitalisation and language support.<br>
<br>Workshop Programme<br><br>The first day of the workshop will consist of four plenary talks followed by discussion, and the second day will be devoted to case studies of particular situations where ideological issues have surfaced in endangered languages research.<br>
<br>Keynote speakers:<br><br>Bernard Spolsky, Bar-Ilan University: "Language beliefs and the management of endangered languages"<br>Lenore Grenoble, University of Chicago: "Conflicting ideologies and beliefs in the field"<br>
Jane Freeland, University of Southampton: "Considering popular language ideology in revitalizing the language of the Mayangna of Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast"<br>Tadhg Ó hIfearnáin, University of Limerick: "Shared language management goals, differing beliefs and unexpected outcomes"<br>
<br><br>Call for papers<br><br>Proposals are invited for papers for the second day of the workshop, presenting cutting-edge research on the themes and topics outlined above. Each speaker will have 20 minutes plus 10 minutes for discussion, followed by a round table discussion at the end. <br>
<br>Abstracts should be a maximum of 300 words long (not including any references) and should be sent to: <a href="mailto:elap@soas.ac.uk">elap@soas.ac.uk</a>.<br><br>Deadline: Friday 14th January 2009. <br>Notification of acceptance will be sent on 28th January.<br>
<br>It is planned to make the proceedings of the workshop available to the academic community and interested members of the public through a British Academy Occasional Paper and/or through the Endangered Languages Project's journal Language Documentation and Description (see <a href="http://www.hrelp.org/publications/papers/">www.hrelp.org/publications/papers/</a>).<br>
<br>Booking information<br><br>Registration<br><br>To attend the workshop, you need to submit a booking form by Monday 16 February 2009. The form can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.hrelp.org/events/workshops/">http://www.hrelp.org/events/workshops/</a> <br>
<br> <br>Full<br>Early bird (by 6 February)£12.50<br>After 6 February £17.50<br><br>Student/unwaged<br>Early bird (by 6 February)£7.50<br>After 6 February £12.50<br><br>Registration will include a reading pack, and tea and coffee on both days.<br>
<br>-- <br>Prof Peter K. Austin<br>Marit Rausing Chair in Field Linguistics<br>Director, Endangered Languages Academic Program<br>Department of Linguistics, SOAS<br>Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square<br>London WC1H 0XG<br>
United Kingdom<br><br>web: <a href="http://www.hrelp.org/aboutus/staff/index.php?cd=pa">http://www.hrelp.org/aboutus/staff/index.php?cd=pa</a><br>