cfp: 13th International Conference on Missionary Linguistics

13th International Conference on Missionary Linguistics

Contributions to the Safeguarding of the World’s Linguistic and Cultural Heritage

University of Vigo, Spain (March 31 – April 1, 2027)

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal (April 2–3, 2027)

Web: https://icml-xiii.utad.pt/

The Organizing Committee of the 13th International Conference on Missionary Linguistics invites the academic community to submit proposals for individual papers, thematic panels, and posters for the 2027 edition, jointly organized by the Faculty of Philology and Translation of the University of Vigo and the Center for Studies in Letters (CEL), based at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real.

This conference continues a long-established tradition of twelve international meetings dedicated to the study of Missionary Linguistics, a series launched and continually co-organised by Otto Zwartjes. Previous editions have taken place in Oslo (Norway, 2003), São Paulo (Brazil, 2004), Macau/Hong Kong (China, 2005), Valladolid (Spain, 2006), Mérida (Mexico, 2007), Tokyo (Japan, 2010), Bremen (Germany, 2012), Lima (Peru, 2014), Manila (Philippines, 2016), Rome (Italy, 2018), La Pampa, Santa Rosa (Argentina, 2020), and Hsinchu (Taiwan, 2025). As in previous years, the conference welcomes research covering a wide range of regions, descriptive traditions, and historical periods.

Situated at the intersection of the historiography of linguistics, historical linguistics, and historical sociolinguistics, Missionary Linguistics seeks to understand how—and for what purposes—Western missionaries documented and analyzed unknown languages previously in Asian, American, and African contexts. Particularly relevant primary sources include grammars, dictionaries, teaching manuals, catechisms, and religious translations into local languages—often constituting the earliest written codifications of those languages.

The 2027 edition, under the theme “Contributions to the Safeguarding of the World’s Linguistic and Cultural Heritage,” aims to foster debate on the contemporary scientific, political, and ethical relevance of missionary materials, as well as to reflect on how these works contribute to our understanding and preservation of global linguistic heritage. We welcome proposals that examine missionary descriptive traditions, the contexts of production and circulation of metalinguistic works, their materiality, grammatical and lexicographic models, the relationships between missionaries and local communities, translation processes, and the intercultural dynamics emerging from those encounters.

Contributions are also encouraged that explore digital humanities methodologies, preservation practices, editing and cataloging of historical collections, and critical or decolonial approaches to the missionary legacy—particularly when connected to current discussions on linguistic justice and cultural diversity, including international initiatives that advocate for the recognition of linguistic diversity as a foundation for more equitable and sustainable societies.

The conference also strongly encourages the participation of early-career researchers, with the goal of promoting the renewal of the field and strengthening the international scholarly networks that have supported the growth and consolidation of Missionary Linguistics studies.

Working Languages

Presentations may be delivered in Portuguese, English, Spanish, Galician or French. 

Formats of Participation

• Individual papers: 20 minutes + 10 minutes for discussion
• Thematic panels: 3 to 5 presentations
• Posters: dedicated poster session

Abstract Submission

Applicants should submit an abstract of 200–300 words at https://icml-xiii.utad.pt/abstract-submission/

Important Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: August 31, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: November 30, 2026
• Early registration deadline: January 31, 2027
• Final registration deadline: February 28, 2027