Workshop: When Chinese Meets Southeast Asian Languages: Two Millennia of Continuous Language Contact

Date: June 2, 2026

Venue: National University of Singapore

Introduction

The 35th Annual Meeting of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (SEALS 35) will be held at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, from June 3 to 5, 2026, bringing together scholars specializing in Southeast Asian linguistics. To take advantage of this gathering, we have organized this one-day workshop to be held on June 2, 2026, at the National University of Singapore.

Previous studies have shown that Southern Chinese dialects (Wu, Gan, Xiang, Min, Hakka, Yue, etc.) share numerous phonological, lexical, and syntactic features with non-Chinese languages spoken in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Conversely, many Southeast Asian languages also contain substantial linguistic elements historically derived from Chinese.

This workshop aims to foster dialogue and methodological exchange between researchers of Chinese dialects and those focusing on Southeast Asian languages. By bridging these two often-separate academic communities, we hope to pave the way for future comparative and collaborative research in this vibrant field.

Topics of Interest

We welcome submissions addressing linguistic issues related to Southern Chinese dialects and non-Chinese languages spoken in Southern China and Southeast Asia.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Non-Chinese linguistic features in Southern Chinese dialects (lexicon, phonetics/phonology, morphosyntax, etc.)

• Chinese linguistic features in non-Chinese languages spoken in Southern China and Southeast Asia (lexicon, phonetics/phonology, morphosyntax, etc.)

• Typological comparisons between Southern Chinese dialects and non-Chinese languages of Southern China and Southeast Asia (lexicon, phonetics/phonology, morphosyntax, etc.)

• Areal linguistic patterns in Southern China and Southeast Asia

• Historical/comparative studies of Southern Chinese dialects

Presentation Formats

The workshop will accept abstracts for the following formats:

• Oral presentations: 20 minutes for presentation followed by 10 minutes of discussion

• Poster presentations: To be displayed during dedicated session(s)

Submissions in both English and Chinese are welcome. English is preferred for bilingual authors.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

• Each author may submit only one single-authored abstract. There is no limit on the number of co-authored abstracts.

• Abstracts must be written in the language of presentation (English or Chinese) and submitted in PDF format.

• Title: Clear and informative.

• Length: The abstract text must not exceed one A4 page (minimum 11pt font). An additional page may be used for examples, tables, and references.

• Anonymity: Abstracts must be fully anonymous. Authors’ names, affiliations, or photographs must not appear anywhere in the document.

Important Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: February 15, 2026

• Notification of acceptance: March 15, 2026

• Workshop date: June 2, 2026

Contact

For inquiries, please email: nanfanghanyu@163.com

We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to the workshop in Singapore!

Organizer: Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore

In cooperation with: SEALS 35 Organizing Committee