The acquisition of a third language (L3) or more in adulthood, otherwise labeled successive multilingualism, sits at the forefront of current international linguistic inquiry for many scientific and practical reasons. Within the cognitive science study of language acquisition, adult multilingualism embodies an understudied instance of language learning that is essential for a more complete understanding of the human capacity for language. Its study provides a unique perspective that allows an exploration of theoretical issues that have yet to be fully explicated in studies to date. On the more practical side, in an age of increasing globalization, knowledge of multiple languages is necessary even in societies where so-called monolingualism has prevailed in recent times. Since recent estimates have indicated that up to two-thirds of the world’s population is at least bilingual, studies on multilingualism are needed now more than ever before.
This seminar will provide a forum of discussion for research on multilingual acquisition examining different domains of language acquisition and use, realized through distinct theoretical backgrounds and over a wide range of language pairings. The seminar will produce a collection of empirical papers to be published in the Studies in Bilingualism series of John Benjamins that are, despite coming from a range of traditionally non-intersecting perspectives, connected at the conceptual level by our seminar’s goal to build and develop a more parsimonious research base for multilingual acquisition. Participants must be prepared to provide the organizers with a first draft of the empirical paper they describe in their abstract to be shared on a protected website prior to the event. Each participant will provide a short presentation of his or her work and then lead a discussion of it with all seminar participants. Each paper, pending external peer review, will be included in the book to be published in early 2011. In addition to the discussions of these individual research projects, the seminar will provide 3-4 afternoon workshops dedicated to general research issues rather than specific papers.
The seminar invites applications from scholars in all related fields, including but not limited to linguistics, applied linguistics, language pedagogy and education, psychology, and sociology. Participants selected from this call will join a team of invited international scholars, at various stages in their careers, representing a wide range of approaches.
Seminar Directors
Jason Rothman (The University of Iowa)
Suzanne Flynn (MIT)
Invited speakers
Camilla Bardel (Stockholm University, Sweden)
Kees De Bot (University of Groningen, the Netherlands)
Jean Marc Dewaele (Birbeck College, UK)
Yvla Falk (University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands)
María del Pilar de García Mayo (University of the Basque Country, Spain)
Ulrike Jessner (Universität Innsbruck, Austria)
Judith Kroll (Pennsylvania State University, USA)
Christina Lundqvist (Stockholm University, Sweden)
Aneta Pavlenko (Temple University, USA)
Maria Polinsky (Harvard University, USA)
David Singleton (Trinity College, Ireland)
Roumyana Slabakova (University of Iowa, USA)
Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
Website: www.uiowa.edu/obermann/L3
Seminar Dates: Monday June 7 - Friday June 11, 2010.
Fellowship Support: Up to $1,800 (non-taxable) to cover domestic travel, housing, and per diem for visitors for the duration of the seminar, and up to $2,200 to cover the same for international participants.
Services available at the seminar: offices, personal computers, Internet access, multimedia and technical support, library delivery service.
Qualifications
- Applicant must hold a relevant terminal degree. Graduate students are not eligible.
- Participants must be capable and ready to produce original, previously unpublished work for publication in the John Benjamins series on Studies in Bilingualism that will emerge from the seminar and must participate in sessions devoted to readings, individual papers, and special events. Successful applicants must submit a first draft of their paper at least 40 days prior to the seminar for dissemination to the other participants through the seminar’s website.
Application
- A cover sheet that includes:
- Title of your proposed paper abstract.
- Name, rank, department, institution, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
- A one page abstract of the paper that you plan to write for the seminar.
- Curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages).
- For University of Iowa applicants only: ask your department executive officer to email an endorsement of your participation to neda-barrett@uiowa.edu
- One sample of published work, such as an article or book chapter.
RECEIPT DEADLINE: All materials must be received via e-mail to Neda Barrett (neda-barrett@uiowa.edu) no later than Tuesday, January 5, 2010. (If it is not possible to scan your published article or book chapter, mail it to Neda Barrett, Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, N103 Oakdale Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242)
Questions: Please contact Neda Barrett, Administrator (neda-barrett@uiowa.edu), (319-335-4034).