From November 23 to 25, 2018, the 8th International Conference on Formal Linguistics (ICFL) was held on Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University. Sponsored by the Committee of Formal Linguistics and co-organized by School of International Studies (SIS), Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics and Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the conference attracted 150 experts on formal linguistics from universities at home and abroad.
The conference kicked off at Qizhen Hall of Qizhen Hotel on the morning of November 24. Prof. Cheng Gong, Dean of the SIS, delivered an opening speech in English. He extended heartfelt welcome to the experts present, introduced the development of the SIS and wished the conference a complete success.
In the conference, Prof. Tim Stowell from University of California, Los Angeles, Prof. Philippe Schlenker from Centre national de la recherche scientifique and New York University and Prof. Andrew Nevins from University College London addressed keynote speeches respectively from different perspectives of linguistics, which won enthusiastic response from audience.
The seminar was composed of five parallel sessions, with a total of more than 100 reports, and scholars present were from renowned universities in the U.S., Japan, and China. They gave heated discussions on phonology, syntax, semantics, monolingual acquisition, language philosophy, etc., which was a great enlightenment to linguistic studies. Present at the seminar were also students and teachers from the SIS, the School of Humanities, Zhejiang University and other domestic universities of China and they took an active part in the discussion.
The closing ceremony was held at 17:00 on November 25. Prof. Cheng Gong, Chairman of the Committee of Formal Linguistics aired a summary speech. He once again extended warm welcome to the experts, gave a brief summary on the conference and sent congratulations to its success. Later, Prof. Shen Yuan from Fudan University, the next Chairman of Professional Committee of Formal Linguistics announced that the 9th International Conference on Formal Linguistics would be held at Fudan University in 2020.
Characterized by high participation, wide research scope and in-depth discussion, the conference enhanced academic exchanges between domestic and overseas experts, development of Chinese linguistics and provided learning opportunities for young scholars. Best wishes are sent for the prosperity of formal linguistics in China and new comers in this field are welcomed.
Translated by Liu Liu and Shang Xiaoyi
Edited by Xu Xueying
