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The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Towson University announces the 8th edition of 鈥淔orging Linguistic Identities" and invites proposals for papers and panels.

The conference will take place April 2-4, 2025.

Conference Topics

The conference seeks to examine language as socially embedded within historical and geo-political contexts. Possible topics might include, but are not limited to:

• national reception of dialect/minority-language literature and verbal culture
• dialects/diglossia and their role in group identity formation
• the standardization of national and/or majority language(s) and its impact on national or regional politics
• multilingualism and its negotiation and practice by the communities of use
• use(s) of indigenous languages under transnational states
• migration
• translation studies
• raciolinguistics
• language policy and planning
• language and healthcare
• translanguage

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Christine Mallinson

Professor of Language, Literacy and Culture, Director of the Center for Social Science Scholarship, and Affiliate Professor of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.  

Sociolinguistics for Social Justice and Public Impact: Models, Methods, and Ethics

The field of sociolinguistics has long valued scholarship for social justice and public impact, especially initiatives that raise linguistic awareness, address linguistic bias, and advance linguistic and educational diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This work has also informed the development of community-centered and decolonial frameworks for linguistic research that center non-extractive collaborations with language users and their communities.

In this presentation, Dr. Mallinson discusses current models and pathways for community-based research partnerships that expand public understanding of language and sustain linguistic diversity in schools and communities. As we broaden participation in the humanistic and scientific study of language, we also move the discipline of linguistics itself toward greater relevance, social justice, and public impact.

Dr. Rachel Showstack

Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics; Wichita State University

Community Engagement for Linguistic Justice and Health Equity

In her keynote address, Dr. Showstack will describe the processes of engaging interpreters, healthcare leaders, and community members in a project aimed at improving healthcare language access in Kansas. By exploring the impact of engagement with diverse groups of stakeholders, she makes a case for extending community-based research practices in applied linguistics.

Proposals

The scope of the conference is not limited by region, language or time period. Proposals involving languages taught by the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures (ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Ancient Greek, Biblical and Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish) are especially encouraged. Proposals are welcomed across disciplines, including languages and literatures, education, geography, history, psychology, anthropology and sociology.

Please send an abstract of 250 words, excluding references, by email to: Prof. Francisco Mart铆nez Ibarra (fmartinezibarra AT_TOWSON). Please include your name, institution affiliation, day telephone and email address. Please note that conference papers must be in English or ASL and limited to 20 minutes.

Proposals for panels with multiple speakers are also welcome provided they fit within the 90-minute time frame of each session. Panel proposals should be submitted as a single file containing all three abstracts, each limited to 250 words, along with a list of participants, including their affiliations and email addresses.

Faculty of all ranks, as well as graduate students, are encouraged to participate. We will offer discounted hotel rooms near campus.

Registration

Fees and Deadlines

• Regular cost 鈥� $100 by 3/3 and then $125 after that
• Graduate 鈥� $40 by 3/3 and then $60 after that
• Deadline for submissions is December 1, 2024

Hotel Information

We have arranged two small room blocks at local hotels conveniently located near Towson University and downtown Towson. Book early as the conference weekend is also expected to be a busy sports weekend. Space is limited and the room blocks will close according to the dates listed below. Room availability cannot be guaranteed after these dates.

Use the links below to reserve or call the hotel and mention the 鈥淔orging Linguistic Identities Conference鈥� for the group rate.

Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel

903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, Maryland, USA, 21204 Tel: +1 410-321-7400
Rate: $149/night
Amenities: Free Local Shuttle (must request in advance);
On-site paid parking; Free Wifi
Reservation Dates: April 2 鈥� April 5, 2025
Last Day to Book: Monday, March 3, 2025

Hampton Inn Towson

21 West Susquehanna Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
667-275-7100
Rate: $159/night (single/double)
Amenities: Walking distance to Towson University; Hot breakfast included; Free Wifi
Reservation Dates: April 2 鈥� April 5, 2025
Last Day to Book: February 14, 2025