Conference

In modern variationist and sociolinguistic studies, analyses of the repertoires of speakers in urban areas and the linguistic varieties and variants constituting these repertoires have advanced to the centre of research interest. A reason for this interest lies in the fact that the city, as a complex socio-cultural phenomenon, represents a space of complex linguistic variance and, thus, seems suitable for investigating processes of linguistic change ‘in vivo’. In particular, as the city represents a place of communication marked by internal and external multilingualism, it can show a wider range of variation in comparison to smaller places of rural character. Due to their role as economic and administrative centres, cities can be places of considerable linguistic homogenization and koinéisation, resulting in new urban varieties which in turn can influence the regional surroundings (agglomeration areas). In consideration of this complexity, methods and techniques of modern urban language research are diverse. They range from two-dimensional variation studies, assuming areal as well as social variation, to ethno-methodological, interactional and perceptual studies.

Language variability in urban communication, its dynamics in connection with social change against the background of internal and external multilingualism, and recurring routines are the central aspects of research which will be dealt with at the international conference Urban Language Research. Variation – Contact – Perception held at the University of Graz, Austria.

If you have any questions, please contact the organization committee via urbanlanguage2018(at)uni-graz.at.