Call for papers

The workshop brings together researchers working within diverse theoretical frameworks, including (morpho)syntactic, usage-based, and morphopragmatic approaches, to examine evaluative morphology from a comparative and cross-theoretical perspective.

The workshop will feature talks by the following keynote speakers:

• Wolfgang U. Dressler (University of Vienna)
• Francesca Masini (University of Bologna)
• Pavel Caha (Masaryk University Brno)

Evaluative morphology, broadly construed, encompasses not only diminutivization but also augmentation, pejoration, intensification, attenuation, approximation, as well as expressive and stance-related meanings (cf. Dressler & Merlini Barbaresi 1994; Finkbeiner, Meibauer & Wiese 2016; Grandi & Körtvelyessy 2015; Masini, Norde & Van Goethem 2023; Rainer 2015). These meanings are realized across languages through a wide range of morphological strategies and frequently interact with syntactic structure, morphosyntactic and prosodic features, as well as well as with other semantic-functional domains (e.g. manner, aspect, etc.), including the possi-bility of grading the membership of referents to a given category. As such, evaluative morphology offers a particularly rich empirical domain for testing core assumptions about grammatical architecture, the mapping between form and meaning, and the division of labour between semantics and pragmatics.

Much recent work has highlighted the value of approaching evaluative phenomena across theoretical frameworks and grammatical domains (for diminutives, see Manova, Grestenberger & Korecky-Kröll 2024). Building on this perspective, the present workshop broadens the empirical scope beyond diminutives and explicitly foregrounds dialogue between frameworks.

Rather than promoting a single analytical model, the workshop encourages contributions that present recent developments within particular frameworks and/or examine evaluative phenomena comparatively, highlighting both convergences and divergences in theoretical assumptions, analytical tools, and empirical predictions.

Abstract submission

We welcome submissions addressing any language or language family and any type of evaluative morphology, including work that explores interfaces with syntax, semantics, phonology, and pragmatics. Contributions offering cross-linguistic perspectives, explicit framework comparison, or theoretical reflection grounded in detailed empirical analysis are especially encouraged. We also particularly encourage submissions from early-career researchers, including advanced MA students, PhD candidates, and early postdoctoral researchers.

We invite submissions of anonymous abstracts of up to 500 words (excluding examples and references) in PDF format by July 15, 2026, 23:59 CET, via EasyAbs. Participants may submit up to two abstracts, but only one may be single-authored. Notification of acceptance will be sent on September 1, 2026.

References