[lg policy] Preserving the Future: Sustainability of Language, Culture and Nature

[Harold Schiffman]

Forwarded From:  AILA Research Network on Language Policy
<LPREN at googlegroups.com>


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.

Conference fee is 250 euros which will include food and light
refreshments during the conference. Further information on the
conference can be obtained at: infovigdis at hi.is, or visit the
conference website via www.vigdis.hi.is.


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 Harold F. Schiffman

Professor Emeritus of
 Dravidian Linguistics and Culture
Dept. of South Asia Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305

Phone:  (215) 898-7475
Fax:  (215) 573-2138

Email:  haroldfs at gmail.com
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/

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