We encourage abstracts discussing the subjects of travel literature, biographies and diaries, or colonization. In addition, we also invite submissions of papers concerning the standardization of language, dictionary publication, and lexicography, the formation of the English canon, or a theoretical/critical analysis (ex.: New Historic approach, Feminist approach) of the first publication of an English dictionary by Samuel Johnson. Also encouraged are papers dealing with the new 18th Century idea of representing classes other than nobility in literature-the representation of the common man or woman.

While submissions following these criteria are encouraged, submissions dealing with related issues will be considered.

Deadline for Submissions: January 30, 2006

The 11th Annual Graduate English Society Conference will be held March 31st-April 1st, 2006 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. The theme of this year’s conference, “En(compass)ing Language: Interplay within English Studies,” reminds us that the interaction between participants in the various fields of English studies produces new ideas and foundations on which to build our future research. We hope that this conference will encourage this type of camaraderie.

We are please to welcome Dr. Thomas Nunnally of Auburn University as keynote speaker. Dr. Nunnally is co-editor of From the Gulf States and Beyond: The Legacy of Lee Pederson and LAGS and Language Variety in the South Revisited as well as articles and essays related to the study of sociolinguistic forces behind dialect change and lexical change. The keynote speech will be delivered Saturday, April 1st at noon and will be followed by a question and answer session.

The Texas Tech GES Conference has been pleased to welcome students from throughout the United States, as well as countries abroad. We are looking forward to sharing research and fostering discussion among students. Lodging and registration details will be available on the GES Conference website.