The Master’s Program in Linguistics and the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, cordially invite academics, researchers, and practitioners in the field of language studies to submit abstracts and participate in the International Conference on Linguistic Studies entitled “Form, Meaning, and Function of Language in the Era of Digital Transformation.”
This conference aims to provide an international forum for the dissemination and discussion of current research addressing the evolving roles of language in contemporary society, particularly in the context of rapid digital transformation.
Valedictory Address
Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana
Keynote Speakers
- Zara Maxwell-Smith — University of New South Wales, Australia
- Jérôme Samuel — Institut National des Langues Orientales (INALCO), France
- Nguyen Tanh Tuan — Vietnam National University, Vietnam
- Xu Yun Yu — Tianjin Foreign Studies University, China
- Suhandano — Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
Date
Thursday–Friday, 10–11 September 2026
Venue
Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Registration and Abstract Submission
ugm.id/regisling
Important Dates
- Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 May 2026
- Full Paper Submission Deadline: 31 July 2026
- Participant Registration Deadline: 30 August 2026
Contact Information
WhatsApp: wa.me/+6281125113370
Email: bahasadansastra.fib@ugm.ac.id
Conference Overview
Linguistic inquiry has historically been characterized by analyses of form, meaning, and function within predominantly formalist frameworks. In recent decades, however, the field has increasingly embraced functionalist perspectives, wherein language is examined not only as a system to be described but also as a dynamic resource for communication and for representing social, political, and cultural realities.
Contemporary linguistic studies have expanded across disciplinary boundaries, engaging with fields such as communication studies, semiotics, anthropology, law, and medicine. This shift reflects a broader movement from an emphasis on langue toward parole—or “language in use”—highlighting language as it operates in real-world contexts.
Moreover, the rapid advancement of communication technologies in the era of digital transformation has further extended the functions of language, particularly within digital and social media environments. In response to these developments, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, convenes this international conference as a platform for scholarly exchange and critical engagement.
This conference is also organized in honor of the retirement of Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A., whose distinguished body of work—spanning books and scholarly articles published in national and international journals—has significantly contributed to the advancement of linguistic studies. The conference theme reflects and celebrates his academic legacy.
