Workshop on Immigrant Languages in the Americas 17
October 1-3, 2026
Pennsylvania State University
Contact information: Mike Putnam
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The 17th annual Workshop on Immigrant Languages in the Americas will be held at Penn State University, October 1-3 2026.
We invite abstracts for 30-minute presentations (20 minutes + 10 minutes for questions) on any aspect of the linguistics of heritage languages in the Americas (e.g., structural, historical, sociolinguistic, or experimental). Research on (im)migrant and heritage languages in the Americas covers a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches, including: formal/structural analyses of heritage language grammars; investigations of bilingual grammars and language contact phenomena; study of diachronic language change in extra-territorial varieties; analyses of social, cultural, and political factors affecting language maintenance, shift, and revitalization; acquisition of heritage languages; synchronic variation in heritage languages, and much more. In addition to supporting that breadth of approaches to the study of heritage languages, WILA has also explicitly been a forum to facilitate cross-linguistic comparisons of all sorts, including different languages and dialects, different socio-historical contexts, varied demographic patterns of (im)migration and settlement, and different historical periods up to the present day. A unique focus of this year’s workshop will showcase the unique cultural and linguistic heritage of Pennsylvania Dutch, a Palatinate-based language that has not only survived, but as also enriched our Commonwealth (and beyond). We especially welcome abstracts that either focus on or include Pennsylvania Dutch. Together, we’ll celebrate this unique heritage, with an entire day dedicated special collection exhibits, new research projects, and excellent ongoing research in Pennsylvania Dutch Studies. Submission instructions: We invite abstracts for 30-minute presentations (20 minutes + 10 minutes for questions) on any aspect of the linguistics of heritage languages in the Americas (e.g., structural, historical, sociolinguistic, or experimental). Abstracts should be anonymous, and should be no longer than a single page. A second page may be included for data, graphics, and references. Selected papers from the conference will be published. There will be a separate call for papers for the publication. Submissions open: May 15, 2025 - June 30, 2026 |
