The 25th Sociolinguistics Symposium (SS25) welcomes researchers and educators from around the world to submit abstracts and contribute to the world’s largest sociolinguistic conference. The symposium will take place for the first time in Australia, on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja (Perth). This event is dedicated to exploring the conference theme “Ordinariness and Innovation” and other relevant topics in sociolinguistics.
SS25 encourages scholars to reflect on how language change, diversity, and standardisation are understood across everyday contexts and global innovations. The event especially welcomes studies involving Indigenous, minority, migrant, and endangered languages, including their connection with technology, pedagogy, and inclusion.
Table of Contents
Types of Presentations
The symposium invites four types of contributions. Each type has its own format, length, and presentation guidelines.
| Presentation Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual Papers | – Present original research by one or more authors. – Each session includes a 20-minute talk and 10-minute Q&A. |
| Thematic Colloquia | – Offer in-depth discussion on a single theme. – Consists of up to 6 papers, 20 minutes each, within a 2-hour slot. – May include innovative formats and a discussant. – Organiser must submit all abstracts together (max 2000 words). |
| Posters | – Visual presentation using graphs, charts, or images. – Best suited for research that is easily presented in visual form. – Held during lunch and coffee breaks. – Presenters must remain beside the poster during the session. |
| Digital Posters | – 3-minute MP4 video presentation. – Ideal for online participants. – Should explain one main idea with digital visuals. – Will be screened during break times and remain online for access. |
Submission Guidelines
Researchers planning to present at SS25 must follow specific abstract guidelines. These help ensure fairness, clarity, and high academic quality.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Submission portal | Abstracts must be submitted online via the Currinda portal. |
| Word limit | Abstracts should be no more than 300 words, including references. |
| Submission deadline | Abstracts can be edited and submitted until 17:00 (AWST), 30 September 2023. |
| Title | Must be under 20 words and written in sentence case. |
| Biography | The Presenting author must have a biography under 60 words in their Currinda profile. |
| Author information | Abstract must list first and last names and affiliations of all authors. |
| Presentation preference | Authors can indicate a preferred mode (paper/poster), but the final format may be changed by organisers. |
| Number of submissions | Each person may submit one abstract as first/sole author, organise a colloquium, and act as discussant elsewhere. Co-authorships on additional papers are allowed. |
| Format | Abstracts must be typed directly into Currinda. It’s recommended to draft in advance and paste plain text. |
| Acknowledgement | A confirmation email will be sent automatically once submission is completed. |
Presentation Format Summary
| Mode | Format | Duration | Participation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Live oral presentation | 20 min + 10 min Q&A | Onsite / Online |
| Colloquium | Series of themed presentations | 2 hours total | Onsite / Online |
| Poster | Printed visual display | During breaks | Onsite |
| Digital Poster | 3-minute video presentation | Break screening | Online |
Evaluation Criteria
Submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the SS25 Scientific Committee. Each abstract or panel proposal will be judged based on:
- Relevance to the symposium theme
- Originality and innovation
- Strength of the theoretical framework
- Clarity of aims and findings
Submissions that focus on underrepresented linguistic contexts or include interdisciplinary approaches will be given particular consideration.
Important Notes
- Authors must register for the conference to have their abstract included in the final program.
- Authors may edit submissions by logging into Currinda any time before the deadline.
- Presenting authors should be marked clearly during submission.
- Abstracts that are incomplete or not fully submitted will not be considered.
Focus Areas Encouraged
The conference invites work that addresses a wide range of sociolinguistic concerns, particularly:
- Language innovation and how it challenges or romanticises the “Other.”
- Ordinariness as it relates to social norms, language ideologies, and community practices.
- Marginalised languages, including Indigenous, minority, and endangered tongues.
- Linguistic landscapes and digital platforms that shape everyday communication.
- Inclusion of disability and neurodiverse perspectives in sociolinguistic research.
- Technological developments aiding language documentation and learning.
- Every day, policies and real-world language planning impact.
How to Submit
All abstracts must be submitted online through the Currinda system. Authors must:
- Create or log into their Currinda profile.
- Enter all required author and abstract details.
- Follow each step until submission is marked complete.
- Receive an automatic confirmation email after submitting.
If necessary, authors may log back in to make changes until the deadline.
Final Analysis
SS25 provides a valuable opportunity for scholars to present their ideas, connect with a global network, and contribute to ongoing discussions about language, identity, and society. The focus on Ordinariness and Innovation offers a chance to rethink how everyday and emerging language practices interact and influence broader cultural and political structures. Researchers are encouraged to submit their proposals early and be part of this vital global conversation.
