Call for Papers
The connection between culture, language, and identity has long attracted the attention of sociologists, historians, linguists, and researchers from various scientific fields. As language is fundamental to human communication, it is regarded as a human necessity, not only for interaction but also as a vehicle of culture that reflects the society in which it exists and its cognitive universe(s) (Arslan et al., 2024).
For centuries, identity construction was tied to geographical boundaries, class struggle, power dynamics, and the maintenance of the status quo, just as languages have played an undeniable role in society in defining and consolidating political, social, and cultural identities. On the one hand, languages have a resilient ability to define national boundaries; on the other, they can open space for horizons that transcend those boundaries. The importance of language as a defining element of cultural identity was introduced in the 18th century by the German philosopher J. V. Herder who, in opposition to the cosmopolitan predicaments of the Enlightenment and as a reaction to the discrimination faced by Germany (Bavaria), emphasized the role of language, ethnicity, ancestral myths and rituals, and other cultural specificities that distinguish one nation from another. This approach contributed to the political affirmation of many ethnic-cultural and linguistic minority communities, challenging the assumption that territorial extension legitimises nationhood.
The concept of identity has evolved since the French Revolution, taking on an increasingly central role in the social sciences and humanities, as it is deeply tied to how individuals and social groups perceive themselves and are perceived in various contexts. Today, identity is understood not only as a dynamic concept but also as a multifaceted one, which Hall already classified in 1990 as a production “which is never complete, always in process, and always constituted within, not outside, representation” (p. 222). Additionally, “Identities are sets of meanings that define who we are in terms of the roles we have, the groups or social categories to which we belong, or the unique characteristics that make us different from others,” as Burke (2020) argues.
Therefore, it is undeniable that identity is shaped by various factors, with language, literature, and culture playing fundamental roles in this ongoing construction. The interaction between these dimensions not only defines individual and collective identity but also influences the social and historical dynamics of contemporary societies. These reflections on the role of language and culture in identity construction lead us to ask several questions. Who are we? What are we like? Are we today what we won’t be tomorrow? Or in one place but not another? How are we represented in different literary discourses? How does globalisation interfere with identity construction? What impact will Artificial Intelligence have on our future identity?
This conference aims to analyse and reflect on the various dynamics involved in constructing identities as a plural concept, considering their linguistic, literary, and cultural manifestations, thereby encompassing a wide range of expressions within the Humanities.
