At the intersection of specialised discourses: heterogeneity and unity
The topics covered by the 2010 GERAS Conference in Nice reflect the continuing focus of the scientific association’s research on the multiplicity and unity of English for Specific Purposes. The 2008 conference looked at the theme of distance/proximity in ESP. The 2009 conference raised issues about the stages leading from non-specialisation to specialisation. In 2010 it seems appropriate to move the focus towards the question of intersections between different ESP discourses.
After spending so many years trying to define the scope of the various discourses or fields so as to deal with each one individually, it may appear antonymic to now propose that they should be considered collectively in terms of how they could perhaps be brought together. How does this affect ESP? How do various fields and discourses influence each other? Is it possible to envisage the existence of a median or transversal discourse common to all varieties of ESP? Could this transversality lead to the emergence of broader fields of specialisation made up of specialised discourses which are necessarily closely related?
These are the general issues which may be tackled from the four methodological angles which have traditionally been adopted by GERAS:
Linguistics
A linguistic approach to the theme of the conference allows researchers to investigate the similarities and differences at the intersection of discourses in linguistic terms, including various levels of linguistic analysis and the correlations between them. Two key issues are of interest here: which linguistic features differentiate or bring together different specialised discourses? Which particular types of intersection do we see in certain discourses?
Didactics
The intersection of specialised discourses is crucially important in language teaching. The multiplication of genres in ESP (oral presentations with slide shows, abstracts, research reports), makes new practices essential; what are the implications for language teaching and learning?
Can learner-centred teaching contribute to defining different discourses? Can researchers differentiate between discourses? Can the action-based approach currently advocated offer solutions?
Culture
The intersection of discourses raises the issue of homogeneity in discourse communities and discourse practices: how are cross-disciplinary or interdisciplinary communities created? How are community members’ identities constructed? Which professional circles are concerned?
Technology
Technological innovation, and in particular the emergence of Web 2.0 collaborative tools (blogs, wikis, chats, etc.), is facilitating synchronous communication. What new communities of practice are developing with respect to these tools?
In methodological terms, what new perspectives are being opened up by the development of NICT in terms of exploring intersections between these communities?
The above questions are intended as guidelines for researchers.
Other proposals related to the general theme will also be examined.
Calendar
¨ 15 December 2009: Deadline for submission
¨ 15 January 2010: Notification of acceptance
Abstracts
An abstract of 300 words, including a title and description of the content of the presentation, should be submitted in English or French by 30 November to
geras2010@unice.fr. The presentation should be given in the same language as the abstract.
