42nd International Systemic Functional Congress

Theme

The framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics has been applied in many different fields and research contexts, establishing it firmly as a prominent approach amongst functional theories. The theme “Challenging Boundaries” invites speakers to present new ideas as well as interdisciplinary work with SFL, but also to reflect on familiar applications and discuss future developments in established contexts. Questions to be raised may include addressing the boundaries between languages in cross-linguistic studies but also in variational linguistics (non-standard variety or different language?), between literary and non-literary language, between language and other semiotic systems in multimodal studies, between register and genre, register and context, between social-semiotic and cognitive perspectives, between qualitative and quantitative approaches, between example-based and probabilistic approaches and boundaries across strata. Finally, we also welcome contributions which discuss boundaries to neighbouring frameworks such as Functional Discourse Grammar, Constructionist approaches, Critical Discourse Analysis etc. exploring interconnections with SFL.

Papers discussing ideas in this perspective are invited in the areas below, though the following is by no means an exhaustive list, and in keeping with tradition, papers not strictly related to the theme or outside of the SFL perspective will also be considered.

- The levels: phonology, lexico-grammar, cohesion, semantics, discourse

- Language education

- Language learning & development

- Diachronic studies

- Language, power and knowledge

- Appraisal

- Multimodality

- Register and genre

- Context of situation and context of culture

- Regional variation

- Language typology and contrastive studies

- Translation studies

- Studies of verbal art

- Methodology: computational approaches, links to experimental research

- Socio-cultural variation

- SFL and other language theories

Paper presentations will be of 20 minutes duration plus 10 minutes question time.

Submission

We invite proposals for four forms of contribution: papers, posters, workshops, and colloquia.

Abstracts for paper and poster presentations should be 500 words excluding references. Please choose the format that best suits your presentation. Abstracts should include a description of the study, its motivation as well as (preliminary) results.

Workshops cover a specific topic in a hands-on session. We invite proposals of approximately 1,000 words describing the topic and approach. Colloquia consist of 3-4 closely related presentations by different presenters on a joint topic convened by a (team of) chair(s). Abstracts for colloquia should include a general abstract of about 300 words written by the convener of the colloquium, with abstracts by each participating presenter of around 200 words each.

Submissions will be reviewed anonymously by two reviewers. Abstracts should contain a statement of the aim of the contribution, and should make clear how the paper relates to previous and/or current work within SFL and any other frameworks. Abstracts should also provide a description of the main part of the presentation including a statement of the chosen methodology, results and key references. Please have a look at the exemplary review sheet for more information on the reviewing criteria.

The working language of the conference is English.

Proceedings

In addition to the book of abstracts accompanying the conference, we plan a publication of selected papers from accepted abstracts. These papers will undergo further review before publication. Deadline for submission for review is 31 August 2015.

Important dates

Abstract submission: 15 October 2014 - 30 November 2014

Notification of acceptance: 15 January 2015

Early registration ends 30 April 2015

Regular registration ends 13 July 2015

Pre-Congress Institute: 22 – 25 July 2015

Congress: 27 – 31 July 2015

Contact:

isfc2015@anglistik.rwth-aachen.de

RWTH Aachen University

Department of English, American and Romance Studies

Kármánstraße 17/19

52056 Aachen

Germany