2nd Conference on Small Forms
with a special section on Nothing
26-27 June 2017
Institute of English Studies, University of Lodz
The aim of the conference is to discuss the challenges of creating and analyzing small linguistic, multimodal, and literary forms. We are most interested in whether highly concise expression involves any special strategies and mindset. We invite contributions from linguists, literary scholars, arts and media scholars, on any aspect of this topic, including e.g.:
– Theoretical reflection on the semantics, pragmatics, and stylistics of small forms
– The specifics of such forms as micro-poetry and micro-fiction; concrete and visual poems; haikus, limericks; aphorisms, epigrams; nursery rhymes; short news stories; video clips; jokes; ads; Internet memes; Facebook posts and comments; twits; short text messages; etc.
As a logical extension of our topic, we also hope to hold a special section on Nothing – the cases of null form, but some semantic content (think ‘meaningful silence’; John Cage’s 4’33’’, etc.)
Language: English
Brief abstracts (up to 200 words) should be sent to smallforms1@gmail.com
Conference organizers:
Prof. Alina Kwiatkowska, Prof. Kamila Ciepiela, Dr Aleksandra Majdzinska (conference secretary)
Department of English and General Linguistics
Institute of English Studies, University of Lodz, Poland