Plenary speakers:
Anna Mauranen, University of Helsinki, Finland
Theresa Lillis, The Open University, United Kingdom
Norbert Richard Wolf, Universität Würzburg, Germany
Klaus-Dieter Baumann, Universität Leipzig, Germany

Description:
This conference is organized by the University of Ostrava’s Centre for the Research of Professional Language / Zentrum für Fachsprachenforschung, which was set up in 2011 to coordinate a team of linguists researching professional communication in the English and German languages. The November 2014 conference aims to provide a forum for linguists to present their research exploring the vast, varied and developing area of professional discourse – sharing ideas and discussing their findings, methods, and future plans. The work of the Ostrava Centre draws on both German and English approaches to linguistic research; these distinct traditions interact, complement and enrich each other to provide valuable new insights into the rapidly changing landscape of professional language and discourse.

We especially welcome papers and presentations investigating the following topics:

1. Stability and change in generic structure – emerging genres
Text- und Diskursformen: Stabilität und Innovation
Inspired by the view of genres as goal-oriented social processes, these sessions will map the network of genres which currently inhabit the area of professional discourse, characterizing both their inner structures and their social functions. Insights into the dynamic life of genres are especially welcome: contributions may include papers investigating materiality/non-materiality in genres, exploring the tension between conventionalization and individualization, tracing processes of genre hybridization, contrasting established and novel genres, and describing newly emerging genres.
2. Multimodality and multimedia in professional discourse
Multimodalität und Multimedialität
These sessions will explore how the growing technologization of communication has shaped the generic scope and structure of professional discourse. Even though all communication is in principle multimodal, the interplay of different semiotic systems in verbal, visual and audio-visual modes has become increasingly significant during the last decades – throughout a variety of genres, employing a variety of multimedia channels. We welcome contributions revealing different aspects of how verbal and non-verbal modes combine and cooperate to convey meanings and achieve communicative goals.

3. Intersubjective positioning in professional discourse: contact and conflict at the professional/public interface
Experten und/oder Laien – Ebenen der fachgebundenen Kommunikation
These sessions will explore a variety of discourses through which professionals and experts communicate and interact not only with each other, but also with members of the general public. Key topics include issues such as facework, power and dominance in discourse, politeness and impoliteness, and the transformation of discourse at the professional/public interface by the ongoing development of computer-mediated communication. We will also explore how speakers and writers (in both monologic and dialogic genres) seek to position themselves with regard to their addressees or communication partners, establishing and shaping interpersonal relationships through their enactment of different discourse roles (supported by the selection of various linguistic means).

4. Argumentation and definition: functions and forms
Argumentation und Definition: Funktionen und Formen
Both argumentation and definition play an important role in professional discourse. These sessions will explore the various forms of argumentation and definition employed in a wide range of professional genres, analyzing their discourse realization and describing their functions.

5. Terminology in context: precision and vagueness, formation of terms, metaphorical concepts
Termini im Kontext: Präzision und Vagheit, Terminologisierung, metaphorische Konzepte
These sessions will discuss how terminology is used and what roles it plays in communication (either among professionals or between professionals and non-professionals) in a variety of professional discourse genres. With respect to different communicative environments and situations that may affect practice-specific terms, the focus is on how terminology is used in a range of situations and activities that are relevant to occupational and professional contexts. We are also interested in the use of terminology outside the scope of professional genres (e.g. in literary texts) and in the role played by metaphor and metonymy in the formation and functioning of terminology.


Abstract submission and registration:
Please e-mail your abstracts by 20 June 2014 to the conference address – professionaldiscourse@osu.cz / fachsprachenforschung@osu.cz.
The length of the abstract should not exceed 300 words (excluding references).
Letters of acceptance will be sent by July 10, 2014.
Abstracts may be written in English or in German.
If you do not wish to present a paper, please e-mail your registration form by 30 September 2014.

The conference is organized by the Centre for the Research of Professional Language / Zentrum für Fachsprachenforschung (affiliated with the Department of English and American Studies and the Department of German Studies), Faculty of Arts, University of Ostrava (http://ff.osu.eu/cvoj/).

Conference committee:
Lenka Vaňková Lenka.Vankova@osu.cz
Renáta Tomášková Renata.Tomaskova@osu.cz
Norbert Richard Wolf nrwolf@t-online.de
Gabriela Zapletalová Gabriela.Zapletalova@osu.cz
Axel Satzger axel.satzger@live.de
Christopher Hopkinson Christopher.Hopkinson@osu.cz
Milan Pišl Milan.Pisl@osu.cz