International Summer School Language and Space
4-9 September 2016, at Kloster Kappel, Switzerland

About the Summer School
Communication is inherently linked to physical and social space both in the sense of language areas (dialects and language contact situations) and in the sense of everyday interactions (interaction spaces). By choosing a particular language or regional variety, we identify with and/or distinguish ourselves from others. Modeling these choices is far from being a straight-forward process, and the nature of spatial limits to dialects and languages or the mapping of linguistic data to the actual landscape are still not sufficiently understood. In addition, defining interactional spaces poses a challenge to linguistic research at the micro-level of face-to-face communication, with its complex interplay involving perceptions, movements, and actions.

Seven leading experts in the area of language and space will present and discuss their recent research findings in these fields. Students will also have a chance to present their own research projects if they wish.

Teachers

• Naomi Baron, American University, Washington, DC: When space is virtual: Redefining reading and memory
• Ellen Brandner, University of Konstanz: Varying areal patterns of syntactic variation
• Curdin Derungs and Robert Weibel, University of Zurich: Spatial analysis and visualization of linguistic data
• Andreas H. Jucker, University of Zurich: Interactional architecture, space and virtual worlds
• Crispin Thurlow, University of Berne: Non-places, empty spaces and the anti-communicational ethos of elite mobility
• Peter Trudgill, University of Agder: The spatial diffusion of English as a mother tongue

Cost:

• Regular: 650 CHF (ca € 600; $ 650)
• UZH students: 400 CHF
• Discount: 400 CHF (available on application for participants from countries with currency problems)

Cost includes:

• Accommodation
• 3 meals a day (starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with breakfast on Friday)
• Tuition
• Excursion

Registration
The course is restricted to 32 participants. Deadline for applications: January 20, 2016. Letters of acceptance will be sent by February 29, 2016. Late applications will be considered until the course is fully booked but application during the official application period is strongly recommended.

Contact
If you have any questions, please contact: Raffaela Zaugg, summerschool@spur.uzh.ch

Organisers
Andreas H. Jucker, Barbara Sonnenhauser, Elisabeth Stark

Supported by:
URPP Language and Space, University of Zurich