First Circular
IoE
BHU National Seminar
On
GENDER-SPECIFIC LINGO, IDENTITY, AND INFORMAL
COMMUNICATION IN UNIVERSITY SPACES:
A NATIONAL, TRANSDISCIPLINARY INQUIRY
September 18 - 19, 2025
Organized By
Department Of German Studies
Faculty of Arts
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi - 221005
www.bhu.ac.in
Venue: Seminar Hall - Department of Physical Education,
Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005
Chief Patron
Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor
Banaras Hindu University
Patron
Prof. Sushma Ghildyal - Dean
Faculty of Arts
Banaras Hindu University
Convenor
Dr. Jyoti Sharma
Department of German Studies
Organising Secretary
Dr. Gitanjali Singh
Department of French Studies
Organising Committee
Dr. Om Prakash
Dr. Shipra Tholia
Dr. Chiinngaihkim Guite
Mr. Satya Prakash
Department of German Studies
Faculty of Arts
Banaras Hindu University
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
Gender-specific lingo, Identity and Informal Communication
in University Spaces: A National, Transdisciplinary Inquiry
This Seminar will centre on a timely yet often overlooked area of inquiry
that is the informal, creative, and dynamic ways in which students
communicate within as well as beyond the boundaries of university
spaces. From Gender-specific lingo’s and colloquial speeches to
multilingual exchanges, internet memes, protest chants, and digital
messaging, these everyday forms of expression are far from incidental,
they are deeply embedded in the social fabric of campus life, shaping
how students relate to one another and to the institutions they inhabit.
Our aim is to bring these linguistic practices into scholarly focus—not
simply as linguistic curiosities, but also as meaningful acts through which
young people negotiate identity, assert belonging, and respond to
systems of power and exclusion. In doing so, we wish to better understand
how factors such as caste, class, gender, and region have an influence
not only on what students say, but how, when, and why they say.
In recent years, with the rise of social media, online activism, and AI-
driven communication, the nature of student interaction has changed
rapidly. Informal language is now circulated across digital platforms in
ways that tend to blur the lines between the private and the public, the
humorous and the political, the personal and the collective. By studying
such shifts, the Seminar seeks to highlight how informal speech is not just
reflective of youth culture, but is actively constitutive of it.
This academic gathering will serve as a space for transdisciplinary
engagement, drawing participation from scholars across the fields of
linguistics, cultural studies, digital humanities, education, media studies,
gender theory, and migration research.
In addition to keynote lectures and scholarly paper presentations, the
programme will feature student-led panels, and hands-on workshops
designed to encourage collaborative learning and mutual exchange.
Primarily important to us is the involvement of students—not merely as
subjects of study, but as thinkers and contributors in their own right. Their
voices and experiences will be placed at the centre of the Seminar through
formats that value dialogue, reflection, and co-creation. This participatory
approach aligns with the broader educational commitment to fostering
democratic, inclusive, and socially responsive academic environments.
We strongly believe that this event will enrich BHU’s research ecosystem
and strengthen its public engagement initiatives. By examining the
intersections of language, youth identity, and institutional culture, this
Seminar aspires to create lasting academic and social impact—extending
beyond the confines of any single discipline.
Seminar Objectives:
To investigate the role of informal speech—including Gender-specific
lingo and digital communication—in shaping youth identity, peer
culture, and social belonging, while examining how factors such as
gender, caste, region, and class influence these linguistic practices.
To explore the engagement of students—especially those learning
foreign languages like German—with informal registers and translation,
and to reflect on how digital platforms, from messaging apps to AI,
shape contemporary language use.
To critically engage with the methodological and ethical challenges of
researching informal speech, and to foster meaningful academic
dialogue across disciplines and linguistic communities.
FOCAL THEME
Gender-specific lingo, Identity, and Informal Communication in
University Spaces: A National, Transdisciplinary Inquiry
SUB-THEMES
1. Youth Language and Gender Identity in multicultural context
2. From Slang to Literature: Youth Language in contemporary texts and films
3. Meme Talk and Digital Expression on Campus in India and in Germany
4. Multilingual Campuses: Everyday Code-Switching in Indian and foreign languages
5. Gender-specific lingo in the Classroom
6. Migrant Youth, Multilingualism, and German Intercultural Literature
7. Language of Protest and Student Movements around the world
8. Gendered language in German and Indian academic culture
9. Humour, Sarcasm, and Informal Power Dynamics
10. Caste and Class in Everyday Speech
11. Queer Voices and Linguistic Creativity globally
12. Chat Apps, AI, and Campus Conversations
13. Slang and the Challenges of Translation
14. Documenting the Unspoken: Ethics in Informal Language Research
15. Language, Emotion, and Coping in University Life
16. Regional Flavours: Mapping Youth language Across India and Germany
17. Echoes of Empire: Colonial Traces in Slang
18. Surveillance, Free Speech, and Digital Youth Spaces
19. Youth Language and Culture in the 21st Century
20. Language transition from Millennials to Gen Zs
Call for papers
Original research papers are invited for oral presentation on various
themes and sub-themes. Submissions may include thematic papers,
empirical studies, working papers, research papers, review papers, policy
papers, concept papers, and case studies.
Abstracts should be submitted in editable MS Word format, using Times
New Roman font, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing, and should not exceed 300
words. Full papers should be between 5,000 and 7,000 words.
Research papers must adhere to a standard academic format and clearly
include the following sections in order: Need for the Study, Objectives of the
Study, Methodology, Data Analysis Techniques, Findings/Results,
Conclusions, and References. This structure will ensure clarity and
consistency in the presentation of research.
Interested participants must register for the conference using the Google
Form provided, and submit the abstract (in case of paper presentation).
Once the abstract is accepted by the committee, the corresponding
presenting author will be informed via email for the payment of the non-
refundable registration fee.
Publication
Selected full papers will be published in a book with an ISBN by a national/
international publisher.
Who can participate
The national conference welcomes participation from research scholars
and academicians across a wide range of multidimensional and
multidisciplinary fields including Sociology, Geography, Psychology,
Political Science, History, Economics, Anthropology, Mass Communication,
Language and Culture, and Linguistics.
Master’s Students (Appearing/Final)
Research Scholars / Post Doc Fellows
Faculty Members
Important Dates
Last date for submission of abstract August 25, 2025
Intimation of acceptance of abstract August 31, 2025
Payment of registration fee September 15, 2025
E-mail address for abstract submission
[email protected] (In case there is any issue with the Google Form)
Registration Fee
Without With
Participants Category
Accommodation Accommodation
1700/-
Master’s Students Rs. 700/-
(Shared Room)
2000/-
Research Scholars / Post Doc Fellow Rs. 1000/-
(Shared Room)
3500/-
Faculty Members Rs. 1500/-
(Single Room)
Google Form/ Registration Link: https://forms.gle/WY6RU7xqGiyzakjr9
*After selection of abstract, payment link will be provided through email.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), situated in the holy city of Varanasi, is a
prestigious institution of higher education renowned worldwide and
recognized as one of the eight public institutions declared as an Institute of
Eminence by the Government of India. Spread across 1,300 acres of lush
green campus, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) holds the distinction of
being the largest residential university in Asia, accommodating over 30,000
students, including 18,000 residing on campus. Founded in 1916 by Pandit
Madan Mohan Malaviya, a prominent nationalist and visionary, the
university has grown into a comprehensive institution with an impressive
array of academic and research facilities. BHU comprises six Institutes, 14
Faculties, 144 Departments, four Interdisciplinary Centers, a Constituent
College for Women, and three Constituent Schools, covering a vast range
of subjects across all branches of humanities, social sciences, technology,
medicine, science, fine arts, and performing arts. The university also boasts
six Centers of Advanced Studies, ten Departments under the Special
Assistance Program, and numerous specialized research centers, further
cementing its reputation as a hub of academic excellence and innovation.
Known for its sprawling campus and architectural beauty, BHU provides a
serene and inspiring environment for learning and growth. The university's
commitment to holistic education, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities
and highly qualified faculty, continues to attract students and scholars
from around the globe. BHU remains dedicated to upholding its legacy as a
beacon of knowledge and excellence, making significant contributions to
education and research on both national and international fronts
(https://www.bhu.ac.in).
About the Department of German Studies
The Department of German Studies of Faculty of Arts was established as a
separate independent Department on 6th August 1982. It is today only one
of such Department in the entire region of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa,
Eastern and North-Eastern India, where one can study German from
Beginners' Level through BA, MA and to Ph.D. in German Studies.
The teaching of German Language was however introduced in the 40s and
thus it was one of oldest centre of German learning in India. Initially
German was functioning as a section of Department of English and
German was offered as part-time evening course. In the 4th Five Year Plan,
the university d the Department of Foreign Languages and German was
one of the constituent part of it. Full time BA in German was started.
In 1972, M.A. in German was introduced. Research programmes started in
1974. The Department joined in the promotion of Indo-German Cultural
Exchange Programme. The German Academic Exchange Service [DAAD]
deputed regularly a German language lecturer to the Department through
HRD Ministry, Government of India. Besides DAAD and Germany, the
Department also maintains a good level of co-operation with the other
German Speaking countries, namely Austria & Switzerland. Regular visits of
many distinguished scholars from German speaking establishments and
institutions are arranged.
The Department of German Studies has a well established teaching and
research programme. It has its own library and computers with internet for
the use of students and visiting faculties. German is taught both as full-
time and part-time courses covering language, literature & linguistics.
HOW TO REACH VARANASI?
Banaras Hindu University is conveniently accessible by air and road
from all parts of the country, including major cities of India such as
Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai.
By Air: Fly to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi
Airport), which is approximately 30 kms from BHU. From the airport,
taxis and car rentals are available for transportation to the university.
(https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/varanasi)
By Road: Varanasi is well-connected by road networks to major cities
like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai. You can reach BHU via
national highways and state highways, with ample parking facilities
available on campus.
By Rail: Varanasi is connected to major cities in India via rail as well.
Varanasi Cantt. railway station (BSB) about 10 Kms from BHU; Banaras
railway station (BSBS) about 5 Kms from BHU, are the two main
railway stations to reach Varanasi. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya
Junction is another station about 20 kms from BHU campus.
Click here..
National Seminar
On
Gender-specific lingo, Identity, and Informal Communication in
University Spaces: A National, Transdisciplinary Inquiry
September 18 - 19, 2025
Organized By
Department of German Studies
Faculty of Arts
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi - 221005
Uttar Pradesh, India
Contact Details
Seminar Coordination Committee
Dr. Jyoti Sharma
E-mail :
[email protected] (Convenor)
Dr. Gitanjali SIngh
E-mail :
[email protected] (Organising Secretary)
(Project Staff - ICSSR) Mob.: 9682849117
(Project Staff - ICSSR) Mob.: 8948441211
Bharat Ratna Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Ji
Founder - Banaras Hindu University
