Call for Papers
The Fryske Akademy, the Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning, the Professorship Multilingualism and Literacy of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, the department of Frisian Studies of the University of Groningen, and the department Language, Technology and Culture of UG/Campus Fryslân
are pleased to announce the
Third
Conference on Frisian Humanities
DATE: 11-14 November 2025
VENUE: Oranjehotel, Ljouwert/Leeuwarden, Fryslân (the Netherlands)
CALL FOR PAPERS
Bridges and Boundaries: Fryslân in a Global Context
Geographical subdivisions and connections are a fitting metaphor for the academic landscape of the Frisian humanities. On the map, the Frisian lands appear as a sequence of peninsulas and islands, divided by estuaries, lakes, mudflats, peat marshes, and political borders. A number of dams, canals, roads, railways, and ferries connects these areas, although often with detours. Likewise, the academic disciplines that study Frisian linguistics, history, and culture may seem to be islands and peninsulas. From an international perspective, the same is true for pedagogical approaches regarding regional or minority languages in education as well as for the development of digital technologies for low-resource languages. With our Third Conference on Frisian Humanities we aim at connecting and reconnecting these different fields of research.
At the moment, several distinct Frisian identities co-exist along the continental North Sea coast, as has been the case for centuries. Fryslân, Groningen, Ostfriesland, and Nordfriesland, for instance, have much in common while each also has their own, historically grown identity.
Besides their common linguistic core, the Frisian language varieties have been influenced to a great extent by a millennium of multilingualism and linguistic and cultural contact. The languages, history, literatures, and cultures that we study have thus always been marked both by perceptions of authenticity, otherness, and periphery and by instances of cultural, linguistic, and conceptional borrowing and exchange.
The Frisian languages are illustrative of Europe’s regional or minority languages; while each is situated in a specific context and faces their own challenges, many parallels can be drawn between them. The Frisian languages can therefore offer various inspiring examples of best practices in education, digital technologies, and language policy for both smaller and larger minoritised languages. Conversely, practices from other regional or minority languages can in turn serve as inspiration for the Frisian case as well. Within the broader scope of the Frisian humanities as a whole, we strive to act as a bridge between the Dutch and the German academic traditions.
The Third Conference on Frisian Humanities aims to bring together scholars and students across the multidisciplinary field of the Frisian humanities (including West Frisian, Sater Frisian, and North Frisian) and/or other minority languages.
We especially welcome contributions on the following topics:
− Frisian linguistics
− Multilingualism in a minority context
− Multilingual education in a minority context
− Speech and language technology for low-resource languages
− Frisian History (e.g. the Middle Ages or the ‘long’ 16th century)
− Literature of minority languages, in particular Frisian literature
− Films or videos in minority languages
Proposals regarding original, previously unpublished research are invited in two formats: individual papers and posters. Proposals should relate to one or more of the conference themes listed above. The Scientific Committee is open to proposals for colloquia, either workshops or sessions, comprising of three to four papers. If you would like to organise a colloquium during the conference, please contact the organisers at info@frisianhumanities.frl for more information.
Submission instructions for individual papers and posters
Abstracts for oral or poster presentations should be no longer than 450 words (including references and 3-5 keywords). The abstract should include enough detail to allow reviewers to judge the scientific merits of the proposal.
Oral papers will be allotted 30 minutes, allowing 20 minutes for presenting and 10 minutes for questions.
The official languages of the conference are all varieties of Frisian, as well as Dutch, German, and English. If a presentation is based on data in any other language, use of multilingual materials (e.g. on slides or handouts) is recommended. The sessions on multilingual education, multilingualism in a minority context, and on speech and language technologies for minority languages will be in English only.
All abstracts will undergo double-blind review, involving a minimum of two reviewers from the Scientific Committee of the 3rd CFH. Abstracts will be evaluated for their contribution to the field, quality of the content, thematic relevance, and quality of the abstract (i.e. organisation and clarity of expression). Participants can submit a maximum of one proposal where they are the first author, and a maximum of two proposals with any other authorship status.
To submit an abstract for papers and posters, please complete this form (or use the submission form below).
During the submission process you will be asked for your name, affiliation, address, phone number, and email address, but these are collected solely for administrative purposes.
Key dates
Submission deadline for individual papers and posters: 16 March 2025.
Notification of acceptance of individual papers and posters: 15 May 2025.
Contact
Please visit the website www.frisianhumanities.frl for regular updates on the Third Conference on Frisian Humanities.
For enquiries, please contact the organisers at info@frisianhumanities.frl.
We look forward to welcoming you to Leeuwarden in November!
Download
You can download the Call for Papers as a pdf file in Frisian and English.