call for papers

[Harold F. Schiffman]

VYAKARAN: South Asian Languages and Linguistics Net
Editors:  Tej K. Bhatia, Syracuse University, New York
          John Peterson, University of Osnabrueck, Germany
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The last decade has seen an unprecedented growth in the study of
language contact, shift and variations associated partly with the
linguistic effects of globalization and increased migration all over the
world. Language change and shift are culturally normal, and all
combinations of known languages can be heard in rural contexts, with
language choice in daily communication being based foremost on traditional
language protocol. It is argued that variation is common in this
geographical area, conceding that shift can also occur, but that the idea
of a linguistic area is certainly fundamental to the notion of diffusion.

     More than three hundred languages are spoken in South Asia than in
any other region of the world. Many of these languages are however only
dialects of a parent language. Language attitude examines the way external
factors have influenced and are influencing language change, focusing on
how changing social contexts are reflected in language use. Language
change explores the attitudes, values and assumptions that shape the way
we use language. Focus in this study may also be given to looks at how
language change operates within different genres.

     Selected papers will address how social, geographical, economic,
cultural, educational or gender factors influence language variation and
change.Analyzing social discourse would give us an idea that in what way
language is used in the world of social discourse. Written over a decade
on the South Asian Linguistics by many leading scholars cover a broad
range of topics. Offering sociolinguistic perspective on language contact,
shift and variations, this volume will present a broader spectrum in
understanding the complex linguistics phenomena of South Asia.

     The volume will also look at the way languages change and shift
offers an insight into the nature of language itself, and how it is
acquired and used. Accordingly, the phenomenon of language contact will be
approached from a variety of perspectives by the invited linguists and
scholars of many different orientations.Professor Murray B. Emeneau has
kindly agreed to write the foreword of the book.It is expected to be
published by the mid 2005. An early submission is highly appreciated.
20-25 pages paper on A4 size in word document would be very much helpful.
Follow the format of LSA. Electronic submission preferred.


     M. J. Warsi (Ph.D. in Linguistics)
     Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies
     7233 Dwinelle Hall
     University of California, Berkeley
     Berkeley, CA 94720
     Tel: 510-642-4180
     Fax: 510-643-2959
     Email: mjwarsi at berkeley.edu
     URL: http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~mjwarsi