[Lingtyp] CfP ISLA2026 – Isolated Languages Workshop

[HANTGAN-SONKO Abbie]

ISLA2026 – Isolated Languages Workshop

19-20 March 2026

Ghent University, Belgium


Call for papers

We are pleased to invite submissions for ISLA2026: Isolated Languages Workshop, to be held at Ghent University on March 19-20, 2026. This conference aims to bring together scholars from various disciplines to explore the linguistic, sociocultural, and genetic aspects of speakers of languages that cannot be (straightforwardly) incorporated into larger genealogical units. Isolate languages and (small) language families with no connection to higher-order branches of known phyla offer limited possibilities for studying their linguistic past using traditional linguistic methodology. We seek to highlight the resilience, dispersal, and narratives of these languages and their speakers. This conference targets our understanding of a specific linguistic reality, but we welcome multiple perspectives from adjacent research fields beyond linguistics to examine it.

As an extension of our Orphan Languages workshop at the 2025 Societas Linguistica Europaea (SLE) Annual Meeting, the conference will focus on the innovative methodologies and challenges in studying languages that are isolated or part of small families. The aim is to better understand the historical, cultural, and linguistic significance of these languages and their speakers and to explore how they have persisted and evolved over time.

We welcome submissions on, but not limited to, the following topics:

  *   Problems and innovations in the comparative method for languages isolates and small language families.
  *   Sociolinguistic aspects and linguistic attitudes toward these languages.
  *   Ethnic identity and its relationship with linguistic identity.
  *   Commonalities and differences in historical development across isolates and small families.
  *   The emergence and evolution of language isolates and small language families.
  *   Interdisciplinary approaches that integrate linguistics, genetics, and ethnography.

Plenary speakers:

  *   Pattie Epps (UT Austin)
  *   Matthias Urban (CNRS - DDL)


Submission Guidelines:

We invite researchers working on isolated and small language families to submit abstracts (max. 300 words) along with a short biography (100 words max). Abstracts should be sent to abbie.hantgan-sonko at cnrs.fr<mailto:abbie.hantgan-sonko at cnrs.fr> by October 15. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by October 30.

Eventual Publication:

Selected papers from the conference may be invited for inclusion in a special issue of the LSP: Language and the Human Past series.

Important Dates:

  *   Abstract Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025
  *   Notification of Acceptance: October 30, 2025
  *   Conference Dates: March 19-20, 2026

We look forward to your participation in this important discussion on the origins, development, and significance of isolated and small language families.

For any inquiries, please contact:

Bernat Bardagil
bernat.bardagil at ugent.be<mailto:bernat.bardagil at ugent.be>
Abbie Hantgan
abbie.hantgan-sonko at cnrs.fr
<mailto:abbie.hantgan-sonko at cnrs.fr>Alba Hermida
Alba.HermidaRodriguez at ugent.be
<mailto:Alba.HermidaRodriguez at UGent.be>Rik van Gijn
e.van.gijn at hum.leidenuniv.nl
<mailto:e.van.gijn at hum.leidenuniv.nl>Aurore Montébran
cnrs-bang at cnrs.fr<mailto:cnrs-bang at cnrs.fr>

Abbie HANTGAN-SONKO
Responsable Scientifique du projet ERC BANG
Investigating the origins of the Bangime language and Bangande people

https://bang.huma-num.fr/

LLACAN – UMR 8135
CNRS – INALCO – EPHE
Campus CNRS de Villejuif
7 rue Guy Môquet, 94800 Villejuif, France
Tél : +33 1 49 58 37 10 | WhatsApp : +33 6 61 44 08 78

Souhaitez-vous recevoir des informations sur notre projet, notamment des invitations à nos séminaires ? Veuillez nous contacter : Langues et lignées en Afrique de l’Ouest erc-bang at services.cnrs.fr<mailto:erc-bang at services.cnrs.fr>.

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