Invitation and Call for Papers
Preserving the Future: Sustainability of Language, Culture and Nature
15th-17th April 2010
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:
<mailto:(infovigdis /at/ hi.is)>(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:
<mailto:(infovigdis /at/ hi.is)>(infovigdis /at/ hi.is), or
visit the conference website via <http://www.vigdis.hi.is/>www.vigdis.hi.is.
Nataliya Berbyuk Lindström, PhD
Lecturer
Student Counsellor
Master in Communication
Department of Philosophy, Linguistics, and Theory of Science
University of Gothenburg
Box 200
SE 405 30 Göteborg
SWEDEN
Phone: 031-786 5213
Mobile: 0737084481
Fax: 031-786 48 53
