The Institute of the Latvian Language at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia invites you to participate in the international scientific conference commemorating the 154th anniversary of Academician Jānis Endzelīns titled “Language Beyond Norms: Freedom, Boundaries, and Responsibility.” The conference will take place on 22–23 February 2027 at the University of Latvia (Kalpaka Boulevard 4, Riga).
Linguists study language norms, explain them, and encourage people to follow them. However, language is not confined to what is regulated, accepted, and customary. It also manifests itself beyond established boundaries – through forms considered incorrect, undesirable, impolite, offensive, unusual, or even prohibited, as well as through deliberate departures from convention, creative experimentation, and new modes of expression.
The conference aims to examine how linguistic boundaries emerge and change across different historical periods, social groups, and communicative situations. To gain a full understanding of these processes, it is essential to consider the experiences of language users, expert practices, and scholarly perspectives.
We welcome proposals for research on linguistic innovation, including slang and unconventional forms of expression; taboo vocabulary; hate speech; censorship and self-censorship; contributions addressing the boundaries of freedom of expression, restrictions on language use, and accountability for what is said.
Date: 22–23 February 2027
Venue: University of Latvia (Kalpaka Boulevard 4, Riga, Latvia)
Conference languages: Latvian, Lithuanian, English, and German
Duration of the presentation: 20 minutes presentation + 5 minutes discussion
Please send the title of your presentation and an abstract (2,500–3,000 characters including spaces) by 31 December 2026 to endzelinakonference@gmail.com. Please include the following information about the author(s): first name and surname; academic degree; institution and position; telephone number*; email address.
Notification of acceptance will be sent by 1 February 2027. Please let us know if you require confirmation before the specified deadline.
Submitted articles on the basis of presentations will be blind reviewed. After the acceptance, the article will be published in the journal Linguistica Lettica.
Conference fee: EUR 80 (due by February 15, 2027). The fee covers a certificate of attendance, participant’s folder, book of conference abstracts, coffee breaks, author’s copy of the journal Linguistica Lettica.
E-mail: endzelinakonference@gmail.com
Scientific Committee
Dr. philol. Liene Markus-Narvila – chair
Dr. philol. Solvita Berra
Dr. philol. Sanda Rapa
Dr. philol. Laimute Balode
Dr. philol. Renāte Siliņa-Piņķe
Dr. philol. Anta Trumpa
Dr. philol. Anna Stafecka
Dr. philol. Pēteris Vanags
Dr. hum. Edmunds Trumpa
Dr. philol. Regīna Kvašīte
Organizing Committee
Mg. paed. Gunita Arnava
Mg. hum. Ieva Auziņa
Mg. hum. Justīne Bondare
Mg. hum. Anete Daina
Dr. philol. Anna Frīdenberga
PhD Sintija Ķauķīte
Mg. hum. Kristīne Mežapuķe
Dr. philol. Ilga Migla
Mg. hum. Anete Ozola
PhD Velga Polinska
Mg. hum. Vija Požarnova
Mg. hum. Viktorija Prituļaka
Mg. philol. Elga Skrūzmane
Mg. hum. Ilze Štrausa
PhD Daira Vēvere
* The phone number provided will be used only when necessary to contact you and will not be disclosed to third parties, except where required by law.