The annual conference’s aim is to encourage and promote Igbo Language Studies in the UK. Whilst there are limited Igbo Language and Cultural studies available in British Universities, the annual Igbo Language Conference seeks to provide a forum for intellectual and cultural exchange between scholars, students and members of the community.

Date: 5-6 April 2013

Location: School of Oriental and African Studies, London, UK

Keynote address: Amaka Igwe

This conference is aimed at a wide range of Igbo language and heritage academics and practitioners making no distinction between professionals and non-professionals.

Papers are invited from academic historians, sociologists, linguists, those working or volunteering in Igbo language, heritage and archives sectors, those working in the media, film makers, writers, dramatists, funding bodies, policy makers, publishers, along with family, local and community historians.

Igbo language and culture is at an important juncture in its long-term development. The practice, history, teaching and research of the language are under threat both in Igboland and beyond, yet the biggest players of the film industry known as Nollywood – the second largest film industry in the world - are mostly Igbo. The non-existence of Igbo language and culture within ‘institutionalised’ frameworks: archival holdings, museum collections, academic teaching and research has created a panic that Igbo is in decline.

Igbo language and culture is dependent upon professionals and enthusiasts whose training and expertise allow them to lay claim to be custodians of historical knowledge, or curators of the physical remnants of the past.

This conference will explore issues of public engagement in Igbo language and culture, the role of professionals in mediating knowledge, the role of institutions in interpreting and communicating knowledge and perspectives of Igbo language and culture, and the role that society and the public have in preserving, mediating, creating and communicating their own language and culture. It is also concerned to explore issues of policy and funding for language research, education, conservation and dissemination.

Alongside general thematic papers, papers exploring issues through specific and focussed case studies are also welcome.

Suggested themes include but are not limited to:

• Family/community culture, language and heritage
• Language and identity
• Self as custodian
• Film as history
• Documentation and archiving
• Online language communities
• The Igbo Language on stage
• Igbo Language promotion through the arts

Please email abstracts of up to 300 words including the paper title, your name, current position and institutional affiliation, your email address and phone number to le7@soas.ac.uk.

Participants are responsible for sourcing their own funding for travel, accommodation and conference fees.