What to do when researching languages 'in conflict'? Researcher experiences from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The joint lecture was organized as part of the project "Venezia legge i Balcani" (Venice reads the Balkans) at the Department of Linguistics and Comparative Cultural Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice

Abstract: Conducting language research in societies affected by broader political conflict might be extremely challenging for researchers. For example, access to data, participants, and institutions can be hindered or even denied due to conflicting interests and ideologies of the parties involved. We draw on our own research experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss how conflict can interact with all stages of research process: from study design and data collection through analysis and dissemination of results. We present some specific methodological and practical issues and discuss approaches which have the potential to minimize such hindrances. By addressing broader implications of language conflict for scholarship and for society in general, the talk will also be an opportunity to discuss the role of researchers and scholars in shaping the (socio)linguistic situation they are studying. The talk might be of interest to students and researchers of languages spoken in the former Yugoslavia, researchers of linguistics and experts in politics and conflict.