The British Association of Applied Linguists

Preliminary announcement:

Joint SIG Roundtable Seminar: (Gender and Language; Language in Africa)

Language and Gender in African Contexts

Saturday November 17th 09.30 - 17.00

Leeds University Centre for African Studies (LUCAS)

The objectives of this joint roundtable seminar are:

·  To identify language and gender issues characteristic of different African contexts

·  To bring together academics (particularly African academics) working on or with an interest in the area

·  To share recent research in the area

·  To discuss the issues raised and evaluate their academic interest and importance along with their socio-political significance

·  To identify ways forward, in terms of future seminars (both in the UK and Africa), shared research projects, publications and networking.

Structure of the day

09.30 Introduction and welcome

Discussion/brainstorm of the relevant issues (in groups)

Roundtable discussion of issues

11.00 Sibonile Ellece: The language of Botswanan marriage ceremonies

Questions and discussion

12.00 Lilian Atanga: Gendered discourses in the Cameroonian parliament

Questions and discussion

13.00 Lunch

14.00 Topic 3: Proposals for speaker/topic are welcome

15.00 Review of relevant issues

15.30 Tea

16.00 The way forward: roundtable discussion

This is very much a 'roundtable' event where all participants are expected to bring a list or summary of ideas/ key issues and be prepared to discuss them. The two scheduled'topics for discussion'will providestarting points for roundtable discussion. We would, however, encourage one additional topic. If you would like to provide and run this, please contact Sibo Ellece () and Lilian Atanga () explaining your idea before Friday Oct. 19.

If you’re interested in attending and would like further information, please contact:

John Holmes

Jane Sunderland

Lia Litosseliti

Note: For those arriving on Friday evening there will be an informal reception.

Expected cost: Students: £5.00; Salaried staff: £10.00

British Association of Applied Linguistics Gender and language/Language in Africa