Calls: Creole Heritage Conference 2008

[Harold Schiffman]

Creole Heritage Conference 2008

Date: 31-Jul-2008 - 03-Aug-2008
Location: St. Charles, Illinois, USA
Contact Person: Janet Colson
Meeting Email: colsonj at nsula.edu
Web Site: http://www.nsula.edu/creole



Call Deadline: 15-Jan-2008

Meeting Description

The Creole Heritage Conference 2008 seeks proposals from academic,
professional,
and community researchers on the topic 'Documenting Creole Language and
Culture.' While the primary focus of the conference is on the Creole people and
culture of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, we also welcome contributions that
examine the broader context of Creole societies to which Louisiana belongs. In
addition to individual papers, we encourage submission of proposals for panels
consisting of three or four papers organized around a coherent theme and that
include a panel chair. The organizers reserve the right to make changes in the
overall configuration of panels. This conference will be held at the Pheasant
Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois, outside of Chicago. Attendees
will be a mix
of researchers and Creole constituents who all share a common interest
of Creole
culture and language.

''Documenting Creole Language and Culture''
Conference Dates: July 31-August 3, 2008
Location: Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, Illinois (just outside of Chicago)

Although language is an essential part of everyday life, few people regularly
consider how vital human speech is to the transmission of thoughts and ideas.
Multiple studies have shown the strong link between language and culture;
language determines how its native speakers view the world. Language allows us
to share ideas, teach children about their heritage, and gives us a way to
disseminate our cultural ideals.

Since language remains such a fundamental part of culture, the theme for the
2008 Creole Heritage Conference is ''Documenting Creole Language and Culture.''
The Creole Heritage Conference strives to bring together Creole cultural
constituents and researchers to share knowledge within a relaxed setting. This
unique event draws participants from across the country who have a desire to
preserve and promote Creole culture. The Creole Heritage Conference seeks
presentation proposals from academics, professional and community researchers
who have undertaken studies in any area that relates language to a cultural
component. This conference will combine a substantial scholarly component with
community-oriented activities (family history exhibits, genealogy
workshops, and
city tours.)

In preparation for the scholarly component of the conference, we are issuing
this call for proposals on any topic relating to Creole people, culture, and
language. While the primary focus of the conference is on the Creole people and
culture of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, we also welcome contributions that
examine the broader context of Creole societies to which Louisiana belongs.

In addition to individual papers, we encourage submission of proposals for
panels consisting of three or four papers organized around a coherent theme and
that include a panel chair. The organizers reserve the right to make changes in
the overall configuration of panels.

Some topics of interest may include but are not restricted to:
Food names and the Creole culture
Place names in the natural environment
Music as a way of language transmission
Passing language on to the next generation of Creole children
Oral history documentation of Creole elders
Origins of Creole languages and dialects
Language in literature
Terminology of traditional occupations
Language and Community
Origins of specialized terms for material culture
Geographic analysis of Creole languages
Endangered language research methods
Linguistic studies of Creole French

Please note that all presentations will be limited to 20 minutes with
10 minutes
for questions and answers. Presenters are required to pay the conference
registration fee and are welcome to become Creole Heritage Center Members.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: January 15, 2008
Notification of Acceptance: February 15, 2008

Preferred Form of Submission: Send your abstract (500 words or less)
as an email
attachment in Word format to colsonjnsula.edu. Within the body of the email
message (but not on the attachment page containing the abstract),
please provide
the title of your submission as well as your name, institutional
affiliation (if
any), and full contact information, including mailing address,
telephone and fax
numbers, and email address.

Alternative form of submission: Send a hard copy of your abstract (500 words or
less) to Janet Colson, Louisiana Creole Heritage Center, Northwestern State
University, NSU Box 5675, Natchitoches, LA 71497. On a separate sheet of paper
from your abstract, please provide the title of your submission as well as your
name, institutional affiliation (if any), and full contact information,
including mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address.


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