LTM 18: Language, Translation, and Migration University of Warwick Coventry, UK, May 24-26, 2018 |
Conference website | https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mitn/ltm/ |
Submission link | https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ltm18 |
Submission deadline | February 28, 2018 |
MIGRATION, IDENTITY AND TRANSLATION NETWORK CONFERENCE & PUBLIC SUMMIT
The modern world is interconnected, mobile, multilingual and diverse. Linguistic diversity however does not indicate linguistic equality. On the contrary, the linguistically diverse nature of contemporary societies has implications for social justice, with potentially differential access to resources and the public sphere. In this context the politics of language are a significant factor for the promotion of social cohesion. Research has repeatedly shown that linguistic and ethnic minorities are disadvantaged in interaction with institutions. This two-day conference brings together scholars and practitioners from different professional and disciplinary backgrounds to discuss the role of language as a key factor in globalized societies
Building on the work done by the Warwick-Monash interdisciplinary research network on Migration, Identity and Translation, this conference aims to encourage a dialogue between a range of disciplines which focalize on language as a key factor in social, political and cultural life, at both local, national and transnational level. At the centre of the discussion is the question of the relationship between language and mobility. Today’s public discourses about mobility are marked by deep contradictions: on the one hand the neoliberal ideal represents migration as a ‘necessity’ and a ‘commodity’ for covering the skills gap and promises a world of opportunity to the ‘global talent’; on the other hand, the ‘migrant’ is stigmatised in political rhetoric and represented as a liability or threat to the state benefit system and national security. Language and translation play a crucial role in such discourses, as a complex and equally contradictory set of needs, constraints, and opportunities.
At the same time, transcending boundaries and crossing geographical, national and linguistic borders is by no means new in human history. What is reported to be different in our time is the pace and complexity of population flows and individual journeys. Yet a historical perspective is essential to our understanding of the transforming and transformative nature of linguistic behavior, as well as its impact on social cohesion, economic development and cultural production.
The conference aims to investigate the diversity of language practices and their consequences in different social spaces, including (but not limited to) educational systems, professional environments, health, the law. The event aims to address the complexity of migration discourses through the lens of language and linguistic interaction, with special attention to the role, presence and understanding of translation, self-translation and other multilingual practices.
The conference will be followed by a public summit focusing on the relationship between language, translation, social mobility and social cohesion. Participants will include scholars from the Humanities and Social Sciences as well as representatives from the voluntary sector, the creative industries, non-governmental organizations and policy makers.
We invite contributions which encourage interdisciplinary dialogue between scholars and practitioners in sociolinguistics and applied linguistics, translation studies, modern languages, sociology, health, legal studies and other areas in which language behaviour and language politics play a key role both as research objects and professional practices.
Areas of interest include:
- Mono- and multi-lingual models of the nation: contemporary and historical perspectives
- Language, translation and the refugee agenda: approaches and models
- Language and settlement: policies and practices
- Language contact and language change
- Hidden multilingualism
- Language and social justice
- Language diversity and the social role of translation and interpretation
- Translation, migration and professional ethics
- Linguistic and cultural barriers to social cohesion
- Transcultural creative practices
- Multilingual practices in the creative industries
Submission Guidelines
Abstracts of no more than 350 words (max and including references, if absolutely necessary) are invited.
Please fill in the relevant boxes and upload a copy of your abstract in the 'paper' field.
Invited Speakers
- Prof. Sandra Bermann, Princeton University
- Prof. Hilary Footitt, University of Reading
- Prof. Anne-Marie Fortier, Lancaster University
- Prof. Adam Jaworski, The University of Hong Kong
- Prof. Peter Patrick, University of Essex
- Prof. Alison Phipps, University of Glasgow
Venue
University of Warwick
Contact
Organising Committte:
Jo Angouri, University of Warwick
Loredana Polezzi, University of Cardiff
Rita Wilson, Monash University