UCD John Hume Institute for Global Irish Studies 
UCD John Hume Institute for Global Irish StudiesUCD Crest

CONFERENCES

New Perspectives on Irish-English
11-14 March 2010

UCD John Hume Institute for Global Irish Studies
University College Dublin, Ireland

The distinctive structural properties of the varieties of English spoken in Ireland have attracted much attention. Research has generally focused on divergent morphological, syntactic and phonological features, their origins and to some extent their development. However, there has been relatively little cross-fertilization between the different research foci/agendas. Equally noteworthy is the fact that there is comparatively little research on the phonetics, sociolinguistics and pragmatics of Irish English. For instance, most studies focus heavily on conservative rural and working class urban populations, while there is little published research on middle class varieties, issues of language and identity (e.g. the role of distinctive Irish English features in the construction of middle class and urban identities, including among newcomers to Ireland), and the social stratification of English in the larger urban centres or in rural areas in general.

New Perspectives on Irish-English aims to assess the contemporary state of the field. It aims to identify the main gaps through comparison with research on other varieties of English and with research methodologies used in different domains of linguistics, and thus define potential future directions for research.

Sessions will focus on

  • formal approaches (including phonology/phonetics, syntax/morpho-syntax)
  • historical approaches including language contact (e.g. substrate influences from Irish)
  • sociolinguistic and linguistic anthropological approaches (e.g. social stratification, language & identity, language attitudes, usage patterns by indigenous, immigrant and ‘diaspora’ populations)
  • pragmatic approaches (e.g. politeness, encoding of status).

We also encourage submission of papers focusing on comparisons with research on other varieties of English and similar contact-settings. The conference will end with a round table discussion.

We welcome abstracts in any of the areas listed above. Anonymous abstracts should not exceed one page. A single additional page may be added with examples and references. Name, affiliation and contact details should be provided in the accompanying e-mail. Please indicate whether the submission is for an oral or poster session.

Abstracts should be sent to: jhiconferences@ucd.ie
Deadline: 16th November.
Notification of acceptance will be sent out by 21st December.

The conference is being organised by Bettina Migge and Máire Ní Chiosáin of the School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics, UCD, in conjunction with the UCD John Hume Institute for Global Irish Studies.