conference announcement -- repeat

[Peter Austin]

I have been asked to circulate the following conference announcement -- my 
previous attempt to do so had an attached .doc file which was stripped by the 
listserve and hence the message was vacuous -- apologies to all.


Invitation and Call for Papers 

Preserving the Future: Sustainability of Language, Culture and Nature 
                         15th-17th April 2010  

The Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages

University of Iceland, Reykjavík 
This is an invitation to participate in the conference Preserving the Future: 
Sustainability of Language, Culture and Nature and a Call for Papers. The 
conference is organized by the Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign 
Languages at the University of Iceland and will take place in Reykjavík, 15th - 
17th April 2010. It will also celebrate the eightieth birthday of Madame Vigdís 
Finnbogadóttir, former President of Iceland and UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador 
for Languages.

      The aim of the conference is to examine and discuss how the relevance 
and interaction of languages, the natural environment, and intangible cultural 
heritages can ensure the development and prosperity of future generations. 
Culture is here intended in its broadest meaning to include history, customs, 
traditions and folklore, both past and present; language can be perceived as 
both foreign and native, local, regional and international, but with the constant 
varying attitudes as to which are taught, which are translated, which are 
becoming extinct; nature can imply both the beauty, vitality and uniqueness of 
a specific locality, region, or the natural environment of the globe itself. In all 
instances we need to explore how a viable interaction between language, 
culture and/or nature can help create and sustain a sense of identity and 
continuity in a world increasingly confronted with rapid environmental and social 
change. 
Among keynote speakers are:

Martti Ahtisaari, Former President of the Republic of Finland
Professor Bernard Comrie, Director of the Department of Linguistics, Max Planck 
Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig
Professor Claire Kramsch, Director of the Berkeley Language Center, University 
of California, Berkeley
 
Guidelines for submission of abstracts: 

The conference will be comprised of parallel sessions organized by the Vigdís 
Finnbogadóttir Institute in addition to CFP sessions. We particularly welcome 
proposals on the following central themes: 

1. Language of Place – Place of Language

Prestige value of the global and the local – internationalization of language vs. 
localization
Words and phrases across boundaries (loanwords, idioms etc.)
Cultural history through place names
The environment as a linguistic entity
The role of language in preserving natural heritage
Linguistic diversity
 
2. Cultural transition through literature, translation and discourse

Preservation through translation
National identity through literature
The presentation and interpretation of Nature through literature
What evidence of cultural transition can be found in discourse?
 
3. Developing identities and cultural understanding through multilingualism

Can language preserve cultural identity?
Language teaching and cultural understanding, cultural horizons
The interaction of language and culture
How does multilingualism enhance environmental/cultural literacy?
 
 
Proposal abstracts (250-500 words) should be sent to the conference 
organizing committee by 5th January to the following e-mail address: 
infovigdis at hi.is. The proposal abstract should be attached as a Word document 
with double spacing, 3cm (1.25 inch) margins all round, 12pt Times New Roman. 
Please use the subject header: Preserving the Future_your last name_first 
name initials. In the e-mail message, please include the following:

Title
Theme under which the paper should be placed
Abstract of presentation
Name(s) and affiliation(s) of presenter(s)
Contact address: e-mail & phone number       
Each conference presentation should be 20 minutes long with a further 10 
minutes for discussion. All rooms will be equipped with necessary technical 
equipment, such as computers and computer projectors. Please inform the 
organisers if you have any special technical requirements.