View the full call for papers here: http://www.ucy.ac.cy/medLPLP/

1st MedLPLP
University of Cyprus, Nicosia
17-19 October, 2009

The University of Cyprus is hosting the 1st International Conference on Language Policy and Language Planning in the Mediterranean (MedLPLP) from 17 to 19 October 2009 in Nicosia, Cyprus.
The Mediterranean has traditionally been considered a unitary space on historical, social and cultural grounds. More recent research suggests, on the other hand, that the idea of Mediterranean as a unitary cultural, sociological or historical space is rather a scientific construct, the “Mediterranist construct”, and point to important dissimilarities between the various Mediterranean lands and cultures. Irrespective, however, of their similarities and differences, or rather because of them, the Mediterranean Basin offers the image of a “dialogic space” where influences travel north and south, east and west of the waters.
By bringing together specialists from various parts of the Mediterranean world this conference aims to explore how unity and singularity are witnessed in the area of LPLP and promote a fruitful dialogue among scholars working on the languages spoken in the Mediterranean Basin. Special emphasis will be given to:
(a) the dynamics of the relation between macro- and micro- perspectives in LPLP and the way these perspectives interact to transform the Mediterranean into a common “dialogic space”;
(b) the interaction between national and local objectives of LPLP, especially as regards minority or lesser used languages, oral varieties or small language communities;
(c) new developments or insights that the study of and comparative work on LPLP in the Mediterranean societies bring about;
The conference particularly welcomes contributions from the Euro-Mediterranean countries. Scholars in any area of language policy or language planning, from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives, are invited to submit their proposals.
Keynote speakers who have already confirmed participation