"Merging Borders" Graduate Student Symposium at Purdue. Abstract Deadline December 10, 2013.

Purdue University School of Languages and Cultures
14th Annual Graduate Student Symposium
March 7-8th, 2014

"Merging Borders: Language, Literature and Communication in Cross-cultural Contexts"

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Dov-Ber Kerler, Indiana University and Dr. Karen Thornber, Harvard University
Invited Speakers: Dr. Rafael Climent-Espino, Baylor University and Dr. Muriel Gallego, Ohio University

Throughout history, previously isolated groups have come into contact with outsiders, in terms of customs, religion, and language. These interactions can yield varying results based on the specific circumstances of the cultural meeting. How well do two groups unknown to each other successfully communicate across cultural boundaries? What are the literary, linguistic, socio-political and cultural outcomes of such communication? How do cross-cultural interactions alter the way original members of the same group communicate? Research into specific interactions of this type can reveal patterns in the nature of human language and communication, as well as provide an insight into certain aspects of cultural and literary production across merging borders.

The Purdue University School of Languages and Cultures invites graduate students to submit original research whose results contribute to an understanding of communication across cultural, geographic and linguistic boundaries. This symposium aims to foment discussion surrounding an issue of ever more importance in the United States and across the globe as technology and globalization shift the way humans interact toward an ever more connected society. The struggle between conformity and maintenance of individual and cultural diversity merits special focus in a time of such unprecedented social change.

Send abstracts to Lauren Miller at mille957@purdue.edu by Dec. 10th. 2013. Abstracts are to be written in English and limited to one page (an extra page may be allowed for references, figures and tables). Individual and panel submissions are welcome from a variety of fields, including but not limited to:


Language Acquisition
Second Language Studies
Applied Linguistics
Sociolinguistics
Historical Linguistics
Phonetics/Phonology
Syntax/Semantics
Pragmatics
Bilingualism
Cognitive Studies
Anthropology
Literature
Comparative Literature
Transatlantic Literature
Colonial Studies Gender and Sexuality Studies
Communication
Sociology
Education
American Studies
Cultural Studies
Film Studies