Interface Phenomena Across Languages: Structure, Variation, and Contact
(21-23 October 2026, University of Cyprus, Nicosia)

Adopting a cross-linguistic and interdisciplinary perspective, the conference aims to foster dialogue between formal, typological, functional, and usage-based frameworks, highlighting both shared principles and cross-linguistic variation in interface phenomena. The conference welcomes submissions from all theoretical traditions and applied perspectives, employing diverse methodologies, and particularly encourages research on spoken, signed, minority, and under-documented languages. It further provides a forum for scholarly exchange on research addressing interfaces which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prosody–syntax–information structure interfaces, including focus marking, topic structure, prosodic phrasing, and word order variation in a cross-linguistic perspective

• Interfaces between syntax, discourse, and acquisition, especially in bilingual, multilingual, and heritage language grammar

• Morphological and syntactic variation in bilingual and multilingual settings, including agreement, case, and the restructuring of grammatical systems under contact

• Interface phenomena in language contact situations, including transfer, convergence, borrowing, code-switching, and the emergence of contact-induced grammatical patterns

• The role of language experience, processing, and use in shaping interface phenomena across speakers and communities

• Grammatical interfaces in cultural and social context, including variation, change, and identity-related language practices.
Abstracts must be anonymous and no longer than 300 words (excluding references). Submissions should clearly articulate the research problem and question, theoretical background and data sources as well as main findings or expected results.
Please send your abstract to: grammarinterfaces@yahoo.com

The following plenary speakers have confirmed their participation:
• Stavros Skopeteas (Georg-August University of Göttingen)
• Ayşe Gürel (Boğaziçi University)
• Fatih Bayram (Lancaster University)

Conference Format
The conference will include invited keynote lectures, thematic paper sessions, workshops and panels.
Important Dates
• Abstract Submission Deadline: 20 April 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: 3 May 2026
• Conference Dates: 21–23 October 2026
• Conference Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Organisation and Contact
Organised by the Department of Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cyprus
For further questions, please contact: gulshen.sakhatova@ucy.ac.cy