The International Linguistic Association 63rd Annual Conference

April 20-22 2018
St. John's University, New York City, USA


Conference Theme: Language and Religion

The theme of this conference, "Language and Religion," draws on the universal notion of a bond between speech and worship. This bond fosters group identity and determines social roles. To the degree that language and religion shapes self-identification as the basis for determining one's membership in the social group, it likewise establishes perspectives on those considered as outsiders. One of the most significant indicators of this emic-etic distinction involves the use of language appropriate to insiders that reveals who is a member and who is not, such as in the classic example of the shibboleth.

Topics include the following::

  • hieratic language
  • the speech registers of different religious practices
  • ritual speech and performance
  • languages used in religious practices and texts (e.g., Latin, Hebrew, Arabic, etc.)
  • translation of sacred texts
  • use of the vernacular in the liturgy
  • language in missionary activity
  • language of spiritual experience
  • intelligibility of religious texts
  • religion and language variation
  • religion and cognition
  • religion and the internet
  • language learning for religious purposes
  • language and religion under different political circumstances (e.g., colonialism, capitalism, autocracy)

Plenary Speakers

  • Asma Barlas
  • George Jochnowitz and Eve Jochnowitz
  • Nicholas Ostler
  • Peter Unseth
  • Kathleen O'Connor-Bater

Schedule

Click here for the conference schedule

Conference Venue

Conference Venue: D'Angelo Center (#12 on Queens Campus map), St. John's University, New York City, USA

Workshop for Teachers

  • Date: Saturday, April 21, 2:15-5:30
  • Theme: Grammar for the English Language Classroom

Students learning or improving their spoken and written English need to know the basic structures of the formal English sentence. X-Word Grammar, developed at Teachers College Columbia University, makes learning these structures pedagogically simple and fun. This workshop displays how X-Word Grammar is used in beginning ESL classrooms, in teaching writing to deaf students, and in moving all students from simple to advanced, sophisticated writing. Participants in the workshop will view videos, practice teaching structures, and play a game that integrates punctuation with increasingly sophisticated sentences. Resources for using this powerful system with diverse students will be presented.

Workshop Leaders: Bonny Hart, The New School, Sue Livingston, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Alice Deakins, William Patterson University of New Jersey

Conference Registration Information

Registration fees after March 12:

  • ILA Members: $250 (conference fee for paid-up 2018 ILA members)
  • Non-Members: $310 (conference fee + $60 membership with 1 yr WORD subscription)
  • Students/Retirees: $160 (conference fee + $30 membership with 1 yr WORD subscription)
  • Undergraduate Students: $10



    • ONE DAY Registration (on-site):

  • Members and Non-Members: $100
  • Students and Retirees: $75
  • Workshop for Teachers: $30

    • Conference Venue

    St. John's University
    8000 Utopia Parkway
    Queens, NY 11439

    Accommodation

    We encourage those seeking lodging for the upcoming ILA conference to stay at the Wyndham Gardens hotel in Fresh Meadows. Those who call and mention "the ILA Conference at Saint John's University" will be offered our conference rate of $140/night. They can be reached at +1-718-619-8818. For more information about the hotel, visit their website at: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-garden/new-york-city-new-york/wyndham-garden-fresh-meadows-queens/overview. When contacting the Wyndham Gardens, conference attendees should use the ID 249788 and make it clear that it is a new reservation. If there is any problem, they should call Levi Lin: +1 212-729-0525.

    Those who would prefer to seek separate accommodations may also be eligible for rooms at Saint John's University's rate at the hotels listed here: https://www.stjohns.edu/campuses/queens-campus/area-hotels.

    Dining

    Restaurants near St. John's University

    Restaurant Address Phone no.
    Wo Kee Noodle 168-12 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 718-487-3590
    Nikko Hibachi 17721 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366-1517 718-820-8818
    Vincenzo's 168-19 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366-1311 718-969-7434
    Saigon Asian Cuisine 174-61 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 718-380-0028
    Regina Cafe & Pizzeria 17649 Union Tpke, Flushing, NY 11366-1515 718-591-5727
    Acquista Trattoria 178-01 Union Tpke, Flushing, NY 11366-1633 718-969-1411
    Cold Stone Creamery 176-60 Union Tpke, Flushing, NY 11366-1526 718-591-5800
    Umi Sushi 177-13 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366-1517 718-969-8298
    Cafe Muscat (Kosher) 178-07 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366-1633 718-591-4050
    Gan Da Sushi 80-08 Surrey Pl, Jamaica, NY 11432-1419 718-380-1818
    Bagels 'N Cream (Kosher) 80-02 Surrey Pl, Jamaica, NY 11432-1419 718-969-2640
    Thai Taste 178-19 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366-1633 718-591-0936
    Crepe N Tearia 177-7 Union Turnpike, Flushing, NY 11366 718-380-0887