Hosted by Eastern Mediterranean University, Education Faculty, Turkish Teaching Department, Congress of the International Society for Dialectology and Geolinguistics commenced at Cratos Hotel at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, 14 September 2015.
Organised every three years, the 5-day congress will finish on 18 September 2015. Taking place within the activities of the International Society for Dialectology and Geolinguistics, the congress previously took place in Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, Portugal, Solvenia and Austria. The conference will be addressing an array of topics including new approaches and methods in dialectology and geolinguistics, the relationship between dialects and culture, media, and the science of translation.
It is worth mentioning that the said society included Turkish as one of the languages of presentation during this year’s conference, which is an indicator of Turkish being accepted as a language of science at the international platform. 8th Congress of the International Society for Dialectology and Geolinguistics is hosting participants from fifteen different countries. Among world renowned participants attending the congress are Prof. Dr. Eva Agnes Csato, Prof. Dr. Michael Schulte and Prof.Dr. Maria-Pilar Perea.
During her opening address, International Dialectology and Geolinguistics Society member Prof. Dr. Astrid Van Nahl provided information about the association with a specific focus on their activities. Stating that the said society enjoys excellent reputation in the field of linguistics worldwide following its foundation in 1993, Prod. Dr. Nahl put forth that the said society has a pioneering role in the international promotion and advancement of dialectology and geolinguistics,
organises important conferences in the said fields and publishes a journal called Dialectologia et Geolinguistica.
“The Congress to Host 85 Presentations”
Chair of EMU Education Faculty, Turkish Teaching Department Prof. Dr. Ahmet Pehlivan stated that science, technology and the communication possibilities provide people a technological era, and communication as an important factor in people’s lives lead to important changes in dialects. Prof. Dr. Pehlivan also put forth that the increase in the communication resources and facilities has affected a considerable number of dialects, either by imposing changes on them or making them extinct. Stating that the conference will host 85 presentations, Prof. Dr. Pehlivan also provided information on the 17 sub-categories of the presentations some of which are the relationship between the dialects, methods in dialectology, minority languages, dialects and culture.
Stating their pride in hosting 8th SIDG Conference, EMU Education Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam thanked all those who contributed to the organisation of the congress.
“EMU: The Only State University of TRNC ”
EMU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Hıfsiye Pulhan provided the participants information about EMU. Stating that EMU is the only state university within the TRNC, Prof. Dr. Pulhan added that with more than 19,000 students from 120 different countries and 1,100 faculty members from 35 countries, the university boasts a unique and inspiring multicultural environment of study. Prof. Dr. Pulhan also highlighted the importance paid to accreditations in EMU and provided detailed information about the current accreditations EMU holds including ABET, MİAK, FİBAA, AQAS, TEDQUAL, ASIIN and EDEXCEL.
The congress will continue in EMU with EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam’s speech at EMU Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tahiroğlu Hall at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 15 September 2015. Further information about the congress is available at the official webpage of the event at sidg.emu.edu.tr.
