Dec. 22, 2025 - Dec. 23, 2025
https://sites.google.com/view/dipsal
Discourse particles are a key component of natural language, connecting structural and semantic content with speaker stance, discourse structuring, and pragmatic meaning. They have been described as elements that contribute little to truth-conditional content but are crucial for managing interaction and guiding interpretation. While particles in some languages have received sustained attention, there remains a lot to be learnt about their role in natural language more generally.
This workshop aims to foreground discourse particles by focusing on questions like the following: How do discourse particles interact with syntax, semantics, prosody, and information structure? To what extent do discourse particles reveal universal principles of discourse organization, and where do they highlight language-specific strategies?
South Asia is a typologically diverse linguistic area, with many well-studied languages as well as many understudied languages. These languages are known to be rich in discourse particles. By bringing together scholars working on languages of South Asia, this workshop seeks to broaden the empirical foundation for the study of discourse particles and refine theoretical accounts of their role at the grammar–discourse interface.
Topics of Interest (include but are not limited to):
• The role of discourse particles at the syntax–semantics-pragmatics interface
• Discourse particles and information structure (focus, topic, evidentiality)
• Interaction between discourse particles and prosody
• Comparative and typological studies of discourse particles
• Diachronic perspectives on the emergence and development of discourse particles
• Exploration of discourse particles in lesser-studied languages of the region
• Theoretical approaches to modeling discourse particles
We welcome submissions on any of these topics or any topic related to discourse particles in the languages of this region.
Submission instructions:
Abstracts should not exceed 2 pages (A4) (12 points Times New Roman), including examples, formulas, tables, and figures. Examples—whether glossed or not—should be integrated into the text rather than listed at the end. As references are excluded from the page limit, a complete list of references should be provided on a separate third page.
Submissions must be anonymous and should not contain any identifying information about the author(s). Each (co-)author may submit up to two abstracts, but only one single-authored submission is allowed. Submissions should indicate if they want to be considered for an oral presentation or a poster session, or either. Please submit your abstracts in PDF format no later than October 7th, 2025.
Submissions open: Sept. 7, 2025 - Oct. 7, 2025
Abstract review period: Oct. 8, 2025 - Oct. 21, 2025
Contact Email: [email protected]