CALL FOR ABSTRACTS:
CERLIS2025: Metaphors in Specialized Discourses in and across cultures
University of Bergamo, 12-14 June 2025
We are pleased to announce a call for abstracts for the CERLIS conference on “Metaphors in Specialized Discourse In and Across Cultures.” This interdisciplinary conference aims to explore the intricate and multifaceted roles that metaphors play in specialized forms of discourse, encompassing scientific, technical, medical, legal, business, media, tourism, and political communication, across diverse cultural contexts.
As claimed by Semino (2008), metaphors are varied in their textual appearance, versatile in the functions they may perform, and central to many different types of communication, from informal interaction to political speeches. In this regard, Kövecses’ research (2005; 2008) on universality and variation in the use of metaphor has raised the question of whether and to what extent metaphorical thinking can contribute to the understanding of culture and society, and whether cognitive theories can account for both the universality and cultural specificity of metaphorical conceptualisation.
The conference will contribute to these themes by exploring metaphors as devices for understanding specialised fields of knowledge and research from various perspectives. Hence, we particularly welcome proposals focusing on new insights regarding how metaphors in specialized discourse vary across different languages and what these differences reveal about cultural cognition. Furthermore, we aim at understanding how metaphors facilitate complex specialized concepts and drive innovation and how cultural values and norms shape metaphor usage and interpretation in specialized discourse.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
– Theoretical Approaches to Metaphor in Specialized Discourse
– Metaphors in Specialised Communication
– Metaphors in knowledge dissemination and popularization
– Metaphors in Business, Legal, Medical, and Tourism Discourse(s)
– Metaphors in Media and Political Discourse
– Cultural and Intercultural Perspectives on Metaphor
Plenary speakers
Zsofia Demien (UCL)
Maria Luque Olalla Colmenero (Universidad de Granada)
Zoltán Kövecses (Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
Michele Prandi (University of Genua)
Günter Schmale (Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3)
Gerard Steen (Amsterdam University)
Irma Taavistainen (University of Helsinki)
We invite scholars and researchers to submit abstracts that address any of the above themes. Abstracts (300 words) should be uploaded onto the on the easyabs platform (https://easyabs.linguistlist.org/submit/CERLIS2025/) and include the following:
• Title of the paper
• Author(s) name(s) and affiliation(s)
• Contact details (email and phone number)
• A brief bio (100-150 words)
Important Dates:
• Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 November 2024
• Notification of Acceptance: 31 December 2024
• Conference Dates: 12-14 June 2025
For any inquiries, please contact the conference organizing committee at cerlis@unibg.it
Special requests should be sent to stefania.maci@unibg.it and cinzia.spinzi@unibg.it
REGISTRATION
Registration fees are payable online only. Details for payment will be uploaded in November 2024
Conference fee
Early registration (January 1st – February 28th) 210 EUR
Regular registration (March 1st – April 30th) 240 EUR
Late registration (May 1st – June 4th) 250 EUR
PhD candidate registration* 180 EUR
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to a stimulating exchange of ideas at the conference.
Scientific Committee
Stefania M. Maci
Cinzia Spinzi
Zsofia Demien (UCL)
Maria Luque Olalla Colmenero (Universidad de Granada)
ZOLTÁN KÖVECSES (Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
Michele Prandi (University of Genua)
Gerard Steen (Amsterdam University)
Irma Taavistainen (University of Helsinki)
Organising Committee:
Stefania M. Maci
Cinzia Spinzi
Valentina Adami
Patrizia Anesa
Larissa D’Angelo
Stefania Consonni
Michele Sala
Luisa Chierichetti
Giovanni Garofalo
Dorothee Heller
Gabriella Carrobbio
Manuela Moroni
Danio Maldussi
Michela Tonti
Liana Goletiani
To keep up to date follow us on:
X (Twi er): @CerlisCentre #CERLIS2025
Facebook: #CERLIS2025
