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Introduction
Mastering Foreign Languages (FL) diversifies employment opportunities and opens doors to richer career prospects. Additionally, FLs play a fundamental role in fostering active and responsible citizenship. As vehicles of Intangible Cultural Heritage and essential resources for the effective achievement of sustainable development goals, FLs contribute to the economic, social and environmental pillars, but also depend on them. Studies on the evolution of languages estimate that between 50% and 90% of currently spoken languages will disappear over the course of this century, i.e. 3000 to 4000 languages (https://www.axl.cefan.ulaval.ca/Langues/2vital_mortdeslangues.htm, 2023).
This meeting aims to explore the field of Foreign Languages from different perspectives, examining their relationships with society, the economy and the environment.
Objectives
- To promote the linguistic and cultural heritage associated with FL;
- To highlight the connections between FL and the social environment, economic reality and environmental context;
- To raise awareness about the defence, preservation, revitalization and extinction of FLs;
- To encourage exchange and reflection among participants.
Topics of interest
- Foreign Languages as Intangible Cultural Heritage under constant threat: results of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research on endangered or extinct FL;
- Efforts to defend and preserve FLs;
- The relationship between FL, cultural heritage, identity, ecology and sustainability;
- Challenges of linguistic diversity;
- Plurilinguism and diversity of FLs: transmitters of values and pillars in the construction of active and responsible citizenship.
Audience
Teachers, students and non-teaching staff in Higher Education (HE), and other professionals interested in the subject.
