Constructed Languages and Power in Science Fiction and Fantasy
We have extended our deadline for submissions.
We invite essays for a collected edition that investigates constructed languages (e.g., Klingon, Trigedasleng, Valyrian, Na'vi, Dothraki, Belter, Tolkien's Elvish) in the contexts and functions of socio-political power within the broad category of science fiction, speculative, and fantasy encompassing film, tv, games, and comics. How are conlangs in a work used to "other" groups of people or to construct their subjectivity? How do they reveal power relations in a geo-political system? How does the analysis of conlangs and power help us understand the world that we live in?
Please send queries and 350-500 word proposals to conlangpowerbook@gmail.com by August 15, 2022. Contributors will be notified before the end of September. We will begin evaluating the 5000-7500-word essays as soon as possible. The essays will be due on January 15, 2023.
Possible topics must include constructed languages, power, and
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Race, gender, sexuality, ability, or gender identity
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Postcolonial
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Marginality
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Hybridity
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Rhetoric
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Transmedia
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Semiotics
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Intercultural Communication
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Philosophy
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Popular Culture
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Sociology
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Subjectivity
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Socio-linguistics, Racio-linguistics
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Fandoms
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Agency
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Belonging
Matt Barton, Lead Editor
Department of English
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN, USA
Accepted essays will be published in an edited collection. Please submit 350-500 word proposals for essays of 5000-7500 words. Any questions should be addressed to conlangpowerbook@gmail.com