Call for papers: Smaller Languages in the Big World -- DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS 30 JULY

[Scott McGinnis]

			SECOND CALL

In the framework of the European Year of Languages, New Bulgarian
University, Sofia, is organizing an international conference entitled:

	SPEAKERS OF SMALLER LANGUAGES IN THE BIG WORLD

		Hosted by New Bulgarian University,
	   Department of Modern and Applied Linguistics
			 SOFIA, BULGARIA
			OCTOBER 26-28, 2001


Background: The advent of the 21st century has faced us with new realities
posing previously unknown challenges. We have entered a period marked by
dynamic processes of globalization, high mobility of human and material
resources and massive influx of modern technologies in all spheres of
life. Globalization, however, can have both constructive and destructive
power.  The dynamics of integration tends to produce tensions between the
global and the local that bring to the foreground ethical issues bearing
on linguistic human rights and social equity. Today, the threat of
decreasing the functional role of smaller languages, of obliterating
cultural specificity and of gradual extinction of smaller ethnic groups
seems quite real. There is a growing belief that measures should be taken
to preserve the richness of world languages and cultures for the benefit
of the whole of humankind. A case in point is EU linguistic and cultural
policies laid down in Council Regulation No1, the Maastricht and Amsterdam
Treaties.


Aims of the conference:

-    To provide a forum for discussion with the aim to raise public
awareness of the smaller languages and cultures and develop a better
understanding of the local conditions for maintaining linguistic and
cultural diversity.

- To contribute to the construction of a global civilized world for the
benefit of all peoples - large and small.

- To provide a forum for exchange of ideas and positive experience in
foreign language teaching/learning, interpreting/ translation/ FL teacher
education and intercultural communication in order to enhance and
diversify the educational practices reinforcing linguistic and cultural
diversity in a multilingual, multicultural democratic and tolerant world.


		Themes of the conference:

Presentations addressing the following themes will be especially welcomed:
Language Policy, Intercultural Communication, Foreign Language Teaching/
Learning, FL Teacher Education, Translation Theory and Practice,
Multilingualism.

Panel discussion: "Speakers of smaller languages in the big world"

Educational activities: Classroom with no borders (participants will be
provided with an opportunity to teach a lesson in their native language)

Cultural activities: Cultural kaleidoscope (participants are invited to
bring materials representing their local culture - video films, photos,
and other cultural artifacts)

Keynote speakers:
1. David Graddol (author of the book 'The Future of English")
2. TBA
3. TBA

Venue: New Bulgarian University, 21, Montevideo St., Sofia, Bulgaria

		Deadline for abstracts: July 30, 2001
		Notification of acceptance: August 10, 2001

Selected papers of up to 3000 words will be published subsequently in a
book. Authors should submit their presentations on hard copy and disc not
later than November 10, 2001.

Accommodation:

Approximate price range of hotels: 30 - 50 leva for Bulgarian
participants, 40 - 60 USD for foreign participants. A list of recommended
hotels will be available shortly.


Additional information as well as a registration form is available at
http://www.nbu.bg


For abstract submission or any further queries contact:

Dr. Maria Georgieva,
Associate Professor in English,
Head of Department of Modern and Applied Linguistics
New Bulgarian University
65, Shipchenski prohod, entrance3
Tel/ Fax (+359 2) 9712758
E-mail: mageorg at athena.nlcv.net

OR

Diana Yankova,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Modern and Applied Linguistics,
New Bulgarian University
E-mail: Yankova at nlcv.net




SPEAKERS OF SMALLER LANGUAGES IN THE BIG WORLD
New Bulgarian University,  SOFIA, BULGARIA
OCTOBER 26-28, 2001

APPLICATION FORM

Title:
Family name:
First name(s):

Affiliation/Institution:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:

Full correspondence address:


Title of presentation:

Section:

Author(s):

Type of Presentation (Please specify)
1. Paper (30 minutes)
2. Concurrent activities
a. Teaching a lesson in your native language (Please specify the
number
of participants you would like to attend the lesson)
b. Participation in cultural kaleidoscope (Please specify what kind
of
materials you intend to exhibit, e.g. photos, video films, etc.)

Presenting a paper does not exclude participation in the concurrent
activities.


Language of presentation:


Equipment needed:
OHP
Tape recorder
VCR
Other

ABSTRACT (200-300 words):


Conference fee  (to be paid on arrival):
Bulgarian participants - 30 lv
Students - 15 lv
Participants from other countries - 30 USD

Date of arrival:
Date of departure:


Important dates:

Deadline for Abstracts and Registration: 30 July 2001
Notification of acceptance: August 10, 2001
Deadline for submitting papers for publication: November 10, 2001