Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary is happy to host a conference on

Changing Discourses in collaboration with the Discourse-Pragmatic Variation & Change network

(DiPVaC, http://www.dipvac.org/) and DiscourseNet (https://discourseanalysis.net/).

Changing discourses, in very broad terms, refer to the shifts and transformations that occur in the ways people talk about and understand particular topics over time. From a critical perspective, changing discourses are not simply a reflection of social, cultural, or technological changes, but are rather a site of power struggles and contestation. The fact that discourses change gradually as well as from one era to another can be due to a variety of factors, including social and political developments, changes in technology, and shifts in cultural norms. Furthermore, linguistic variation can occur within a discourse, where different dialects or languages are used to convey meaning. Social variation can also play a role in discourse, where language use may differ depending on factors such as social class, ethnicity, or gender. Finally, discourse variation can occur within a single speech community, where language use, such as the use of a discourse-pragmatic marker like so, well, you know, etc. may differ based on the context, topic, or audience. Together, these variations in language use reflect the complex and dynamic nature of language, shaped by a multitude of factors that influence how people communicate with one another.

The aim of the conference on changing discourses and discourse-pragmatic variation is to explore the ways in which language use shifts and evolves over time, as well as the factors that influence these changes. Participants at the conference are welcome to submit papers taking a descriptive approach and examine how changes in the political climate, society and technology impact language use, and how language use in turn shapes social and cultural practices. The conference will also explore how discourse-pragmatic variation manifests in different contexts, such as in professional settings, in interpersonal relationships, and in public discourse. Overall, the conference will provide a forum for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to engage in lively discussion and debate about the complexities of language use and its relationship to social and cultural change.

A particular aspect that will be welcome at this conference will be that of a critical analysis, which examines the ways in which language use reflects and reinforces power relations in society. For example, certain linguistic forms or discursive strategies may be used by dominant groups to maintain their power and privilege, while marginalized groups may use language to resist and challenge these power structures. Critical analysis examines how changes in discourses can either contribute to or undermine social justice and equality, and it might also explore how language use varies across different gender, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups, and the ways in which these variations reflect broader societal inequalities.