Rethinking Language and Literature as Problem-solving Tools in the 21st Century

Department of Languages and Literature

Lead City University, Ibadan

International Multidisciplinary Conference

Call for Papers

Deadline: 18^th March, 2023

Theme:  Rethinking Language and Literature as Problem-solving Tools in the 21^st Century

Date: 22^nd and 23^rd March, 2023

Format: Hybrid

The literary and linguistic turn in the 21^st century cannot be over-emphasized. This is precisely because questions around development continue to resonate with the imperative of taking recourse to language and, of course, the applied dimension of literature to reach out to the billions of the world’s population, in accordance with the implementation and realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Whether we are concerned with these development goals, from contextualized perspectives or globalized dimensions, it has become extremely important to note that, for instance, the very first goal, which is “No Poverty”, cannot be eradicated, or at least brought to the barest minimum, without the facility of language. The linguistic agency should be one that must be contextualized, or localized, so that, in the 21^st century, the sort of all-round development at the global level is not achievable when only a few languages are considered to be languages of the world. In other words, it is high time we began to rethink the so-called notion of international languages that have, at their best, been tools of global tyranny. Yet, despite their so-called globalization, development is fundamentally localized to reflect internal dynamics.  When contextualized, therefore, we may begin to ask, how do we deploy our diverse languages and literature in Nigeria and Africa to mediate development? How do we make language and languages in Nigeria, and Africa more accessible through improved literacy? What are the benefits that we stand to enjoy when we interact with our African literature, especially in our languages? How do we move beyond the overdependence on international languages, so-called, to begin to explore and utilize all the gains that are inherent in the utilization of our own languages? Development, that is, problem-solving, is fundamentally contextualized, which means that the challenges we face in Africa are not exactly those faced in the other parts of the world. If they, through their languages and literature developed tools for solving their problems, the challenge before us is how do we do the same using our languages and literature in Africa?

This conference, therefore, welcomes submissions that address theoretical and empirical challenges that stand in the way of linguistic and literary deployment of our knowledge systems to mediate development. The turn of applied knowledge to drive development has to begin with addressing the potential of our languages and literature as problem-solving tools.

Sub-themes include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Langauge, Literature and Sociolinguistics,
2. Language, Literaure and Psycholinguistics
3. Language, Literature and National Development
4. Language, Literature and Multilingualism
5. Language, Literature and Media
6. Language, Literature and Politics
7. Language, Literature and Educational Development
8. Language, Literature and Gender Studies
9. Language, Literature and Medicine
10. Language, Literature and Conflict Resolution
11. Language, Literature and Religion
12. Language, Literature and International Relations
13. Language, Literature and Bilingualism in French
14. Language, Literature and French Translation
15. Language, Literature  and Digital Technology in the 21^st Century
16. Language, Literature and Sociability in the 21^st Century
17.  Language, Literature and Social Issues  in the 21^st Century
18. Language, Literature and Intersectional Perspectives in the 21^st Century
19. Language, Literature and Pragmatics
20. Language, Literature and Discourse
21. Language, Literature and Performing Arts
22. Language, Literature and Economic Development
23. Language, Literature and Security Studies
24. Language, Literature and Mass Communication
25. Language, Literature and Psychology

Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be sent to lculanglitconference@gmail.com . Kindly indicate the sub-theme that your abstract speaks to in your submission. All enquiries should be directed to the LOC members listed below:

Dr Esther Senayon (08135283700); Dr Femi Jolaoso (08024290550), and Mr  Olusegun Jegede (08036545183).

Important Dates:

Abstract Submission Deadline: 10^th March, 2023

Conference Days : Day 1 (22^nd March, 2023) -Opening Ceremony,  Keynote and Lead Paper

                               Presentations, and Plenary Sessions (Hybrid)     

                               Day 2 (23^rd March, 2023):  Syndicate Sessions and Chat Rooms (Virtual)

Paper Publication  Submission Deadline-30^th April, 2023

Conference Fees:

Physical

Nigeria-based Scholars=20,000 Naira

Nigeria-based Postgraduate Students=10,000 Naira

Other Africa-based Scholars-100 Dollars

Other Africa-based Postgraduate Students=50 Dollars

Other International Participants=120 Dollars

Conference fees cover  lunch and conference materials.

Virtual

Nigeria-based Scholars=15,000 Naira

Nigeria-based Postgraduate Students=7,500Naira

Other Africa-based Scholars-80 Dollars

Other Africa-based Postgraduate Students=30 Dollars

Other International Participants=100 Dollars

Account Details:

Account Name: Ajeleti Anthonia O.

Bank Name: Access Bank

Account Number: 0077074853

Chief Host: Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, VC, Lead City University, Ibadan

Host:           Prof. Donald Odeleye, Dean, Faculty of Arts                           

Convener:   Dr Ufuoma Davies, Head, Department of Languages and Literature

Keynote Speaker-Prof. Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, Professor of English, Africana Literatures and Creative Writing, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Lead Paper Presenters- Stephen Boluwaduro, University of Wisconsin, U.S.A.

-Hauwa Mohammed Sani, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria