International Conference on sign languages

November 16-20 2009

Namur, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix (FUNDP), Belguim

KEY DATES

Call for submissions: March 2009
Deadline for submissions: May 8 2009 !
Notification of acceptance: June 19 2009 ! June 30 2009
Preliminary program: September 15 2009
Conference: November 16-20 2009

THEMES

Over the last few years, in the southern part of Belgium, various competences were developed that linked with Langue des Signes Française de Belgique (LSFB), namely the sign language of the Deaf community of South Belgium. Scientific works were published and practical experience matured in different fields: linguistics, bilingual education and interpreting. The aim of the conference is to share this knowledge and experience with international researchers and professionals and provide them with the contribution of disciplines that, until now, have not been devoted to the study of LSFB: issues on bilingualism between oral and signed languages or between signed languages; and anthropologic and philosophical approaches to the relations between Deaf and Hearing communities.

- Actual research on Sign Linguistics. Invited speakers: Christian Cuxac, Elisabeth Engberg-Pedersen, Josep Quer, Markus Steinbach and Myriam Vermeerbergen.

- Bilingualism (oral/signed languages or between signed languages). Invited speakers: Kristina Svartholm and Bencie Woll.

- Teaching by/for the Deaf. Invited speakers: Chantal Gerday and Marie-Thérèse L’Huillier.

- Interpreting. Invited speakers: Alain Bacci, Brigitte François, Pierre Guitteny and Thierry Haesenne.

The contribution and participation of Deaf and Hearing are expected. Therefore, the whole of the conference will be multilingual – LSFB, International Signs (IS), French and English.

Video is coming soon

SUBMISSIONS

Submissions should include:
1. An anonymous abstract in one of the four languages of the conference (LSFB, IS, French or English). It should not exceed:

The central theme of the submission (linguistics, bilingualism, teaching, interpreting or anthropology/philosophy) should be given in the abstract. The topic and conclusions should also be stated clearly.

2. The author(s)' name(s), affiliation, postal address, e-mail address and the title of the presentation should be sent on a separate document.All submissions will be submitted electronically:

       - for a written submission: in .rtf, .doc or .pdf version (the abstract and author information should be sent iin separate files) to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;
       - for a signed submission: in .wmv or .mpeg version for the video file, and in .rtf, .doc or .pdf version for the references and personal information files to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (within a single message). If the author is unable to submit the video electronically, she/he may send 2 CDs, each including both the video file and the written files, to this address:

Colloque International sur les Langues des Signes

Département de Langues et Littératures françaises et romanes

FUNDP

61, rue de Bruxelles

5000 Namur

Belgique

PROPOSAL SELECTION

Proposals on original, previously unpublished research are solicited. They will be double-blind peer-reviewed by referees working in the field. The evaluation of the submissions will be based on the following criteria:

-         clarity and organisation of the proposal;

-         detailed and accurate scientific content;

-         appropriateness to the themes of the conference;

-         pertinence and originality of the proposal.

PROCEEDINGS

Proceedings will be published after the conference in a bimodal (signed and written) version.

ORGANISATION

For more information, a website dedicated to the conference is available at the following address: www.cils-namur.be

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Jean Giot, Professeur, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, Namur

Jean-Marie. Klinkenberg, Professeur, Université de Liège

Laurence Meurant, Chargée de recherches FRS-FNRS, Maître de conférences, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, Namur

Aurélie Sinte, Assistante, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix,

Namur Marie Zegers de Beyl, Collaboratrice, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, Namur

SCIENTIFIC  COMMITTEE

Marion Blondel, Chargée de recherches, CNRS/Paris 8 (UMR 7023)

Brigitte Garcia, Maître de conférences, CNRS/Paris 8 (UMR 7023)

Thierry Haesenne, Chercheur, PROFILS, Institut Libre Marie Haps, Bruxelles

Ludovic Lortet, Collaborateur, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, Namur

Laurence Meurant, Chargée de recherches FRS-FNRS, Maître de conférences, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, Namur

Annie Risler, Maître de conférences, CNRS/Lille3 (UMR 8163)

Marie-Anne Sallandre, Maître de conférences, CNRS/Paris 8 (UMR 7023)

Aurélie Sinte, Assistante, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, Namur

Vermeerbergen, Myriam, Assistant Professor Flemish Sign Language, Lessius University College & K.U. Leuven.

Marie Zegers de Beyl, Collaboratrice, Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, Namur