peaking in Tongues: Language, Communication and Power in the Middle Ages

Communication in the Middle Ages could take place within a wide spectrum of languages, dialects, and tongues. Speaking in Tongues: Language, Communication and Power in the Middle Ages (14 June 2013) will explore how the use and manipulation of language can contribute to our understanding of ‘real-world’ medieval cultural interaction, and investigate how complex ideas and societal mores were communicated and translated between languages.

 

This interdisciplinary conference, bringing together the linguistic, cultural, and historical, will be held at the IHR in central London. It will comprise of four broad thematic strands, interspersed with refreshments, a catered lunch, and a keynote lecture, delivered by Dr Alan V. Murray (University of Leeds):

 

-          Cultural and political interaction in central and eastern Europe.

-          Ecclesiastical administration and theory.

-          Byzantium and the gateway to Europe.

-          The Latin East, crusader states, and knightly orders.

Proposals (max. 300 words) for papers of 20 minutes, fitting broadly within one of the above thematic strands, are welcomed both from early career scholars, and from postgraduate students, before the 22^nd of March 2013.

 

Further enquiries and proposals for papers should be sent to the organisers, Simon Parsons and Mark Whelan, at speakingintonguesconference@gmail.com.

 

Attendance at the conference is free but registration is necessary. To register please email the organisers.  In order that candidates from outside London are able to attend, we hope to be able to provide limited travel expenses to speakers from outside London. Postgraduates should therefore make their status and their institution clear when submitting their proposal to achieve the best use of funds.