Abstracts due by November 15, 2008
Theme Session Proposals due by October 31, 2008

CALL FOR PAPERS

The International Cognitive Linguistics Association solicits papers for the 2009 International Cognitive Linguistics Conference, to be held July 28-Aug 3, 2009 at the University of California, Berkeley.

The ICLC is open to presentations on a broad range of topics relating to cognitive linguistics. We invite proposals on subjects including but not limited to: cognitive and linguistic categorization, polysemy, syntax and semantics of grammatical constructions, frame semantics, mental spaces theory, metaphor, metonymy, crosslinguistic comparison and typology, cognitive approaches to narrative and literary texts. We would be happy to see proposals which break down boundaries between lab research and corpus/literary language research, or between research on visual/gestural and auditory modalities of communication, or between lab or field work and historical linguistics or sociolinguistics.

Abstracts should be filed electronical by Nov. 15, 2008 by clicking on the link at bottom of this webpage.

Abstract-writers should also indicate whether they would be willing to be considered for a POSTER SESSION, as well as for the General Session. Anonymous reviewers will not be aware of this notation as they rate papers; however, the organizers will use this notation to give added consideration to some papers which may not be able to be fitted into the General Session.

THEME SESSIONS

We point out that for this conference, all Theme Session paper abstracts will also have to pass the general anonymous abstract review process for conference papers. This is to make sure that each paper gets the same chances, whether part of a Theme Session or not. We recognize that some excellent Theme Sessions may be shortened if not all the proposed individual papers are accepted, but on the other hand, if that happens then there will be room for more General Session papers. Therefore, ALL THEME SESSION PAPER AUTHORS MUST ALSO INDIVIDUALLY SUBMIT abstracts to the regular abstract competition; when you submit the abstract, you will be asked whether you belong to a proposed Theme Session group, and if so which one.  The deadline for theme session abstracts is the same as for general session abstracts: November 15, 2008.

EXTENSION OF CALL FOR THEME SESSIONS

Because all Theme Session abstracts will need to undergo the general anonymous abstract review, we are extending the Call for Theme Sessions. We are grateful to those who have already submitted Theme Session proposals – the accepted Theme Sessions will be announced after the paper referee process.

The organizers are still willing to accept Theme Session proposals (which should include the abstracts for the papers, as well as a 1,000-word description of the theme session) up until October 31, 2008.

AUTHOR GUIDELINES FOR ABSTRACTS

Abstracts should be no more than 500 words — one single-spaced page, with 1-inch margins and 12-point type. The 500 words may be accompanied by up to one page of data and references. Writers should, however, be aware that only the first page will be reproduced in the abstract book, so it should be as self-contained as possible.

Abstracts should be anonymous and stripped of all text and metadata that may be used to identity authors or affiliation.

Each abstract should be sure to give a clear picture of the paper's basic argument, as well as specifying what data the argument is based on, and how the conclusions are relevant to broader issues in the field.