Language and Identity in the Finno-Ugric World

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Fourth International Symposium on Finno-Ugric Languages in Groningen
(The Netherlands)

Language and Identity in the Finno-Ugric World
Groningen, 17 to 19 May 2006

Call for Papers

The symposium will deal with the connections between language and
identity, and will look for answers to this question from the perspectives
of linguistics, literary history and cultural history. The main idea is
the question, to which degree language plays a role in the current
construction of identity. In an international and interdisciplinary
symposium, which intends to bring together specialists in Finno-Ugric
languages and neighbouring fields, this question will be approached from
different linguistic and cultural points of view.

No matter what nature the answer to this question may be, it can also give
important information on the future of Finno-Ugric Studies as a discipline
at European universities.

Especially in the Age of Globalisation in which all Finno-Ugric languages
are exposed to either European or (Great) Russian tendencies towards
unification, this problem appears to be of burning topical importance. For
example, an answer has to be found to the following questions:

- Which place does the native language have in defining one's identity?
- What makes Livonians Livonians, since they converse in Latvian?  - Are
	Erza Mordvins?
- Is Hungarian an obstacle or an advantage in the European
	integration?
- How many loanwords can a language stand and remain itself?
- To what degree is Estonian still Finno-Ugric?
- How Finnish is Nokia?
- Do I speak Veps, Carelian or Ingrian? And how do I know that?

The symposium languages are English and German. Scholars who wish to offer
a paper at this symposium are invited to submit a title and brief outline
(250 words) to the organising committee not later than 30 September 2005.
The papers will be 20 minutes in length. With discussion included, each
speaker will have 30 minutes at her/his disposal. The organisers plan to
publish a selection of the papers from the symposium in the series STUDIA
FENNO-UGRICA GRONINGANA.  The conference fee is ? 30.

Organising committee:  Cornelius Hasselblatt (chairman), Agnes de
Bie-Kerekjarto, Rogier Blokland, Mria Czibere, Adriaan van der Hoeven,
Tette Hofstra, Jolanta Jastrzebska

Address:
Department of Finno-Ugric languages and cultures
University of Groningen
P.O. Box 716
9700 AS Groningen
The Netherlands