Conférences - Sociologie - Belgique

Sociolinguistics Symposium is the world’s main gathering of sociolinguists internationally. This two-yearly event provides a unique opportunity and forum to develop and exchange ideas and research findings about language and society in its manifold connections and manifestations. From its beginnings as a small meeting in the UK in 1976, the tradition of Sociolinguistic Symposia has grown into the largest sociolinguistic networking event in the world. Attracting hundreds of participants and exhibitors, the Symposium is also a stimulating space for networking.

The conference theme is ''Inside and Beyond Binaries''. According to some, we live in increasingly polarized worlds. Which are the binary distinctions – cf. “marked/unmarked” - that can be noted in sociolinguistic enquiry, its history of developments, and how have these been instrumental in pushing the discipline’s social, linguistic and interventionist agendas forward? At the same time, critiques of binary thinking itself have been formulated at various stages: a logic of seemingly stable oppositions often stifles debate, contributes to the cultivation of insurmountable gaps, invites scientific reductionism, and hinders rather than foster inclusiveness. Presenters at SS24 are encouraged to address how the conference theme is relevant for their specific research niche, or sociolinguistics more generally. In addition to the conference theme, tradition has it that sociolinguistics symposia are committed to hosting papers and colloquia in any area of sociolinguistic enquiry.