NEW CHALLENGES FOR MULTILINGUALISM IN EUROPE

With an increased awareness of international globalisation and European integration, the existing mainstream conceptualizations of multilingualism and linguistic diversity have been increasingly questioned, in particular within the humanities and the social sciences. In a EU context of socio-political transition it is therefore a challenge to take stock of the existing disciplinary knowledge, and to reassess it against the background of the ongoing integration process which goes along with the transformation of traditional linguistic and cultural patterns where languages still function as markers of national identity and as symbols of social and economic power manifestations.

After almost four years of joint research, the goal of this top-level conference will be spreading the outcomes of research conducted by the LINEE network of excellence at the European and national/regional levels of policy making as well as to the general public and the public media with the aim of strengthening linkages between theoretical analysis and the dissemination of research results. In cooperation with researchers involved in the DYLAN project on language dynamics and management of diversity the Conference will also strive to provide a common platform for the exploration of new perspectives for research in the identified field.