University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 4 6.7.2007

The 1st Finnish Symposium on Functional Linguistics and
Multisemiotic Discourse Analysis

University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 4 – 6.7.2007

CALL FOR PAPERS

A Symposium on Functional Linguistics and Multisemiotic Discourse Analysis will take place at the University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, 4.-6.7.2007.

The objective of the Symposium is to bring together leading international experts, pro-gradu and post-graduate students, who work in the fields of Systemic Functional Linguistics, Social Semiotics, and Multimodal studies. The Symposium will become a forum for sharing research expertise on functional linguistics and multisemiotics and how to apply it in teaching.

Our keynote speakers are Theo Van Leeuwen, Michael O’Toole, Kay O’Halloran, Christian Matthiessen, Anthony Baldry, Paul Thibault, and Kazuhiro Teruya.

We invite papers on the latest trends in linguistics, semiotics, multimodality that study the discourse and texts of various genres and modes through the systemic and functional approaches.

Plenary papers will be one hour long, including the discussion time. Section papers and theme discussions will be thirty minutes long. Workshops vary from one hour to two hours.

Presenting participants are invited to send us their abstracts, contact information, field of research, and the details of their stay in Helsinki during the Symposium. All paper submissions will be handled electronically. Presenting participants should email their applications by April 15, 2007. The submission form is attached in this document below or you can click here. If you have any problems, please get in touch with the organizing committee via .

Presenters will be informed about the acceptance of their paper and their inclusion into the programme by April 30, 2007 at the latest.

Please see details of registration, payment and other information in the attached description of the Symposium. Registration is open now for the symposium.

We look forward to seeing you in July in Helsinki.

On behalf of the The Symposium Organizing Committee,

Prof. Eija Ventola (Chair) and Ivan Berazhny (Symposium Secretary)

+358 9-191-23413 / E-mail:

English Department, PO BOX 24 (Unioninkatu 40)

FIN-00140 University of Helsinki

Finland

Welcoming Letter from the Symposium Organizing Committee

Dear Participants!

It is my pleasure to invite you to attend The First Finnish Symposium on Functional Linguistics and Multisemiotic Discourse Analysis, 4.7.-6.7.2007, in Helsinki, Finland.

This Symposium will host leading expert speakers from research communities of Systemic Functional Linguistics, Social Semiotics, and Multimodal studies. They will present and discuss the latest contemporary and prospective topics on functional linguistics and multisemiotics.

The Symposium programme has a convenient design. It allows those attending students and post-graduate students who are only at the start of shaping their research ideas in this field, and those already working in the field, to discuss and co-operate with world-renowned scholars with outstanding research expertise in the fields.

We are delighted to offer you our keynote speakers from various parts of the world including Theo Van Leeuwen, Michael O’Toole, Kay O’Halloran, Christian Matthiessen, Anthony Baldry, Paul Thibault, and Kazuhiro Teruya.

This three-day long event is an excellent opportunity for you to make contacts, share visions and learn first hand about the latest developments in the field. The symposium will also prepare all of us for such next year events as The 20th European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference and Congress, also held in Helsinki, 2008 (we hope to organise The 2nd Finnish Symposium on Functional Linguistics and Multisemiotic Discourse Analysis in connection with that congress), and The 5th International Conference on Multimodality held in Singapore, 2008.

A bridge between the East and the West for centuries, Helsinki is surrounded by more than 200 islands in the heart of the Baltic coastline. In addition to what we shall offer you linguistically and multisemiotically, in Helsinki you will find a harmonious blend of nature right even in the city centre, high quality architecture, open people and unique Finnish design along with many excellent shopping opportunities.

I look forward to meeting you in Helsinki in July the 4th – 6th (and perhaps also the 7th which is a planned excursion day, if you can spare the time) at what promises to be a most stimulating and enjoyable academic event!

Prof. Eija Ventola
University of Helsinki

The First Finnish Symposium on Functional Linguistics and Multisemiotic Discourse Analysis, 4.7.-6.7.2007, Helsinki, Finland.

About the Symposium

The First Finnish Symposium on Functional Linguistics and Multisemiotic Discourse Analysis is a unique event. The presentations are international in scope and include the latest in the fields of Social Semiotics, Systemic Functional Linguistics, and Multimodality by the leading experts. The Symposium serves as the foundation for the improvement of research practices via the sharing of viewpoints, ideas, analyses and theories.

Who Should Attend

You do not need to be currently conducting research in the field of multisemiotic studies to attend the Symposium. Anyone interested in learning more about the latest trends in linguistics, semiotics, multimodality should attend. We cater both for the experienced and the less experienced in our programme organisation. The Symposium language is English.

Symposium Benefits

The Symposium will promote international and Finnish cooperation among students, researchers and academics. It will provide a forum for sharing expertise on how to do research in the fields of the Symposium and how to apply it to teaching.

At the Symposium you will:

 Learn about the fundamental concepts of multisemiotic and systemic approaches

 Gain theoretical and technical solutions to the research related problems

 Keep up-to-date with the latest developments in multisemiotic studies

 Meet colleagues from around the world and exchange ideas and advice

 Talk about you research and get fresh ideas

 Join the network and circles of internationally working scholars

The three-day event will combine several formats of work: plenary sessions by individual speakers, open thematic discussion sessions, research workshops, paper and poster presentations. The Symposium begins with registration on 4.7.2007. It will end in the afternoon 6.7.2007. On the 7.7.2007 we are planning some Helsinki excursions. Please indicate in the registration form if you are interested in getting further information about the suggested tour activities. The price of the guided tour of Helsinki in the morning of July 7 will be about 25 €; and a boat trip in the afternoon will be another 25 €. We are also planning to book a lunch between the bus and boat tours. The lunch (set menu) will be paid directly at the restaurant.

Application Submission

Participants are invited to supply their abstracts, contact information, field of research. All paper submissions will be handled electronically. Participants should email their applications as the completed submission form available from the Symposium organizing committee to .

Process of Selection of presentations

The committee will select the presentations based on quality and relevance. Submissions received after the deadline could be considered only if the committee has granted an extension.

The Symposium Organizing Committee pursues to publish a selection of presented papers and materials.

Registration

The Symposium has the following registration fees:

Regular registration – 120 €

Registration for post-graduate students - 50€

Registration for pro-gradu students - 15€

(The students of English Department of Helsinki University can attend the Symposium for free if they take it as a credit course. For further detail contact Prof. Eija Ventola and the English Depatment.)

Accommodation costs, meals and transportation are not included in the registration. We negotiate some special prices with the hotels and put the list on our website; please contact those hotels directly, informing them of the reservation code for the symposium, when you book.

On-site registration will commence on Wednesday July 04, starting 9:00, at Lecture Hall 4, Aula, 2d Floor, Unioninkatu 40, Helsinki. The payment of registration fee should be made to Ventola/Congress account by June 10, 2007 at the latest.

Account Info: Tapiola Bank 363630-03115797

IBAN: FI90 3636 3003 1157 97 BIC/SWIFT: TAPIFI22
N.B. International participants from outside of European Union may make payments in cash (EUR) upon arrival.

Important Dates

April 15, 2007

Registration Payment (ASAP) June 10, 2007 at the latest

Symposium organizers in Finland

Prof. Eija Ventola (Chair), Prof. Susanna Shore, Prof. Maria-Liisa Kuronen
Ivan Berazhny (Conference Secretary)

Questions

If you have questions about the Symposium, don't hesitate to send them to the organizing committee:

Prof. Eija Ventola (Chair) and Ivan Berazhny (Symposium Secretary)

+358 9-191-23413 / E-mail:

English Department, PO BOX 24 (Unioninkatu 40)

FIN-00140 University of Helsinki

Finland