This is a list of all past WOCAL conferences, most recent at the top. Also see the publications.
10th world congress of African Linguistics
Leiden, The Netherlands
- Theme: African languages for sustainable societies and knowledge creation
- Venue: Leiden University, Leiden
- Keynotes: Dorothy Gordon, Anne-Marie Diagne, Ongaye Oda, Martha Qorro, Woinshet Girman
- More information on the conference website
9th World Congress of African Linguistics
Rabat, Morocco
August 25–28, 2018
- Theme: African Languages in a Global World: From Description to State Policies
- Venue: Mohammed V University in Rabat
- Conference chair: Yamina EL Kirat
- Keynotes: Arienne M. Dwyer, Mustapha Ahmed Ali, Abdallah Saaf, Matthias Brenzinger, Mohamed Elmedlaoui
- More information on the conference website
8th World Congress of African Linguistics
Kyoto, Japan
August 21–24, 2015
- Location: Kyoto University
- Conference chair: Shigeki Kaji
- Keynotes: Masayoshi Shibatani, Tetsuro Matsuzawa, Yédê Adama Sanogo, Nobutaka Kamei, Tucker Childs
- More information and a brief retrospective here.
7th World Congress of African Linguistics
Buea, Cameroon
August 20–24, 2012
- Theme: African languages for development, education and cultural heritage
- Conference Chair: Pius Tamanji and Gratien Atindogbé
- Keynotes: Jacques Fame Ndongo, Jean-Marie Hombert, Rebecca Grollemund, Beban Sammy Chumbow, Wolf Ekkerhard, Felix K. Ameka, Karsten Legère, Gratien Gualbert Atindogbe, Maurice Tadadjeu
More information and a brief retrospective here
Special 6th World Congress of African Linguistics
University of São Paulo, Brasil
August 11th – 15th 2008
Location: Universidade de São Paulo
Theme: Exploring the African Language Connection in Americas
Congress Chair: Margarida Maria Taddoni Petter
Contact: gela@usp.br
6th World Congress of African Linguistics
Cologne, Germany
August 17–21, 2009
- Location: University of Cologne
- Theme: African Linguistics for Understanding and Progress
- Congress Chair: Matthias Brenzinger
- Workshops: Special African Sign Languages workshop (Victoria Nyst, Shane Gilchrist, Rezenet Moges, Dany Adone); Nubian Workshop (Anne Storch, Al-Amin Abu-Manga); Tima research unit (Gerrit J. Dimmendaal)
5th World Congress of African Linguistics
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
August 7th – 11th 2006
Location: African Union Conference Center & Addis Ababa University
Theme: The Fate of African Languages in the World of Globalization
Congress Chair: BAYE Yimam
Keynotes: Al Mtenge, Bernd Heine, Felix Ameka, Ian Maddieson, Roslaie Finlayson.
Presentations: 90 (130)
Countries: 23 (14)
4th World Congress of African Linguistics
New Brunswick , USA
June 17th – 22nd 2003
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Theme: The Description of African Languages in a Rapidly Changing Field
Congress Chair: Akinbiyi Akinlabi
Keynotes: Larry Hyman, Ben O. Elugbe, H. Ekkehard Wolff
Presentations: 160 (200)
Countries: 22
Proceedings: Akinbiyi Akinlabi and Oluseye Adesola (eds.) (42 papers, 575 pages): Rutgers University
Special: co-organized together with the 34th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 34)
3rd World Congress of African Linguistics
Lomé, Togo
August 21st – 26th 2000
Location: Université du Bénin-Lomé, Togo
Theme: no Congress theme
Patron: Monsieur le Ministre de l’Education Nationale et de la Recherche
Congress Chair: Kézié Kyenzi Lébikaza
Keynotes: Bernd Heine, Hounkpati Capo, Karsten Legère, Ayo Bambose, Herman M. Batibo
Presentations: 90 (150)
Countries: 29 (17)
Proceedings: Kézié Kyenzi Lébikaza (ed.) (31 papers, 443 pages): Humboldt-Foundation
Symposium: Major African Languages organized by M. Brenzinger (Thyssen-Foundation)
2nd World Congress of African Linguistics
Leipzig, Germany
July 27th – August 3rd 1997
Location: University of Leipzig
Theme: African Languages in the 3rd Millennium
Patron: Prof. Dr. Kurt Biedenkopf, Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony
Congress Chair: H. Ekkehard Wolff
Keynotes: Ayo Bambose, Mohamed H. Abdulaziz, Kay Williamson, Paul Newman
Presentations: 180 (250)
Countries: 39
Proceedings: H. Ekkehard Wolff and Orin Gensler (eds.) (46 papers, 791 pages): University of Leipzig
Symposium: Endangered Languages organized by M. Brenzinger (DFG)
Symposium proceedings: M. Brenzinger (ed.) (11 papers, 284 pages) (DFG)
Opening: Old City Hall
1st World Congress of African Linguistics
Kwaluseni, Swaziland
July 18th – 22nd 1994
Location: University of Swaziland
Theme: African Linguistics at the Crossroads
Congress Chairs: Robert K. Herbert & E.C. Lwandle Kunene
Keynotes: Ben O. Elugbe, Bernd Heine, Thomas Hinnebusch, G. Hérault, Mubanga Kashoki, Sam Mchombo, David Odden, Irina Toporova, Anthony Traill
Presentations*: 150 (200)
Countries**: 34 (21)
Proceedings: Robert K. Herbert (ed.) (36 papers, 645 pages): Contributors themselves financed publication
Publications
Latest publication: Proceedings of the 7th World Congress of African Linguistics, Buea, 17-21 August 2012: Volume Two — available through African Books Collective, Google Books, and Amazon.
Earlier years
