This is the second international conference organized jointly by the Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning of the Fryske Akademy, Netherlands, and the SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London, on the Languages of the Wider World, here referring to the lesser widespread languages.

A rather uncommon title intending to group languages that are otherwise diversely qualified as « minority, regional, community, immigration », etc. In an explanatory note, the organizers point out that in theory anyone has the right to learn and speak their own mother tongue while learning a second or a third language, although this fundamental right remains scorned in a number of countries, especially when it comes to lesser-spoken languages.

This conference will seek insight into the work led by researchers on the processes of resilience and shift undergone by these languages, facing the hegemony of dominant languages. Focus will be drawn on questions of research and education, concentrating at times on the role of new technology and innovation as well as the social costs and benefits of linguistic diversity.

The organizers aim to gather not only researchers and students, but also policy makers, practitioners and anyone else interested in the present issues. A large range of participants in order to provide opportunities for discussion, further research and future collaborations.

The conference is held in Leeuwarden, capital of the bilingual (Dutch and Frisian) province of Fryslân, Netherlands. It is organized jointly by two partner and complementary research centres:

– The Fryske Akademy, mainly working on minority languages of Europe

– The SOAS, specializing on Asia, the Middle East, and Africa

For a full listing of the participants (full programme online soon)

For further information or requests, contact Andrie Kaspers

Conference venue: It Aljemint lecture hall

Fryske Academy

PO Box 54, 8900 AB Leeuwarden

Friesland, The Netherlands

+31 058-2131414