From the 8th to the 9th of December 2017, the University of Edinburgh will be holding a conference highlighting the nexus between onomastics, multilingualism, and multiculturalism in ancient Rome. Entitled “Theorizing Contacts in the Roman Empire”, the event will feature scholarly papers from leading experts in classical studies. Although the official call for papers has passed, details about the conference subject matter can be found at the website of the Society for Classical Studies.

The aim of this conference is to assess the validity and scope of a variety of some of these models, with a particular focus on multilingualism and multiculturalism. By promoting and facilitating dialogue between disciplines, we shall aim to provide effective tools for different fields’ approaches in parallel (e.g. historical and linguistic). This has already been done very successfully in a few cases (e.g. ‘code-switching’), though greater interaction remains a desideratum. It is hoped that the participants will thereby open the discussion for a ‘theory of contact’ in the Roman world.

According to an announcement of the American Committee of Slavists featured on Harvard University’s Department of Slavic Language and Literatures, the XVI International Congress of Slavists will be held from August 20-27, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. The program can be found here.

During the six working days, papers are presented in a variety of formats in a series of simultaneous morning and afternoon sessions, each session moderated by a chair.

The International Congress of Slavists has five formats in which contributions are presented: (1) plenary papers, (2) session papers, (3) block papers, (4) round table presentations, and (5) written submissions (scripta).

• Plenary papers are typically longer contributions presented in plenary sessions by a small number of eminent specialists selected by the Presidium following nominations from the chairs of the various national committees. Plenary speakers are given 40 minutes each.
• Session papers are single papers grouped into sessions by the host committee according to broad theme. Speakers are given 20 minutes each.
• Block papers are single papers grouped into a thematically linked block panel composed of five members, all coordinated by a single individual. The block panel typically has a chair functioning as moderator, two speakers who present papers, and two discussants who comment on them. Each participant is given 10 minutes. The moderator and the two speakers on a block panel must represent at least three countries (i.e., three different national committees of Slavists), at least one of which should be a Slavic country. Membership on a block panel does not count against the quota of any member country. Accordingly, the number of block panels allowed at the Congress is limited.
• Round table presentations are shorter reports on a narrowly construed theme with considerable audience participation anticipated. They are coordinated by a single individual. Speakers are given 10 minutes each. The Composition of a round table panel must also be international, representing at least four countries. The participants on a round table do not count against the quota of any member country. Accordingly, the number of round tables allowed at the Congress is limited.
• Written submissions are individual papers published along with those of the active delegates of a particular national delegation, but not presented orally at the Congress because the author has alternate rather than delegate status.

From the 16th to the 21st of July 2017, a scholarly event called “Pragmatics of Place: (Post)Colonial Perspectives”, will be held in Belfast, Ireland. The schedule of papers will be a part of the 15th International Pragmatic Conference. You can download the complete schedule of papers here.

On June 15, 2017, the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford, Ireland will be hosting a place names workshop, Comhdháil na nDéise (Waterford Conference). The first Summer Session of the Comhdháil, under the title “Port Láirge: People, Place, Identity” will take place at the Cork Road Campus. The theme of the session will be “Logainmneacha, names of places”.  The event is open to all students, scholars, and enthusiasts of Irish toponymy. Details on the presentation schedule can be found here.