International brahui conference brochure final

A language is not only a key tool of communication and interaction, but it is also an identity for the human

beings. Language is the guardian of human culture and traditions and also an important tool for education and

intellectual growth of human being. Brahui is one of the ancient languages of Asia, one of the major languages

in Balochistan which is also spoken by a number of communities in Sindh, Iran, Afghanistan. There are some

9 million Brahui speakers; 7 million live in Pakistan.

From 1401, the Brahui tribes rose to prominence in Kalat, now part of present Balochistan Pakistan. For the

next 500 years there was an unbroken line of Brahui rulers. The borders of Brahui state were expended to Iran

and Afghanistan. The British eventually acquired control over the strategically located Kalat, although the

state remained independent until it was incorporated into Pakistan in 1948.

There are two key aspects of importance of Brahui language. First, Brahui is the only 7000 years old proto

Dravidian languages in Pakistan. The Dravidian family of languages includes approximately 85 languages

spoken by around 200 million people. They are mainly spoken in southern India and parts of eastern and

central India as well as in northeastern Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, and over-

seas in other countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

Among them Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam and Brahui are the members with the most speakers.

Only one Dravidian Language, the Brahui language, is exclusively spoken in Pakistan. Brahui language is also

the custodian of Brahui folklore in its unadulterated form. Harapa, Mehr Garh and Mohan Jo Daro are the

oldest civilizations where Brahui was probably spoken before the arrival of Aryans in the subcontinent. This

has been proved in a research conducted by research scholars of Kerala University of India and other

universities.

The second equally important aspect for Brahui language is that according to a warning issued by UNESCO in

2009 that 28 indigenous languages of Pakistan are endangered and under the threat of the extinction. Brahui

language is one of them. This has generated a wave of concern among not only Brahui people but also all

language loving people in Pakistan and abroad as the threat of extinction to Brahui language is not a mere

threat to a language but it is the death threat to the history, cultural, folklore, folk songs and all other cultural

traits of millions of people of Balochistan, Sindh, Iran, and Afghanistan. Moreover, it is the extinction threat to

the only ancient Dravidian language of Pakistan.

This situation has necessitated that we should look into the challenges being faced by Brahui language in a

scholarly manner and prepares serious recommendations to reduce the threats to this ancient language of

Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. This International Conference on Brahui Language & Culture is a first step

towards that end. The conference is being jointly organized by Brahui Academy and Participatory Develop-

ment Initiatives (PDI).

Bring language researchers and experts together to review Brahui language and culture.

Discuss the origin of Brahui language and its relationships with other neighboring languages.

Review the present status of Brahui language, literature and its growth as well as the future of Brahui

language.

Review the threat of extinction to Brahui language declared as endangered language by UNESCO and

prepare recommedations for the preservation and revival of the language.

Understand linguistic and cultural diversity, history and customs of Brahui community.

To prepare recommendations for the revival and growth of Brahui language and preservation of Brahui

culture.

Origin of Brahui language.

Historical background of Brahui and its historical evaluation.

Status of Brahui language among existing Dravidian languages.

Dravidian language elements in Brahui language.

Influence of Indo European/Arian Languages on Brahui Language.

Historically evolution of Brahui script.

Challenges in Brahui orthography.

Brahui Grammar: Past and Present.

Brahui folk literature and challenges in its preservation.

Different Periods of Brahui literature and their contribution to Brahui language.

Different genres of Brahui literature and their contribution towards promotion of Brahui language.

Role of Different institutions in the promotion of Brahui language.

Brahui as Endangered Language: Facts and Assumptions.

Future of Brahui language.

Comparative study of Brahui and Dravidian culture.

Linguistic study of Brahui culture.

Issues and challenges in preservation of Brahui culture.

Historical evaluation of Brahui traditions and culture.

Key Archeological aspects related to Brahui language and Brahui regions.

There are no registration fees for the conference. However, the participants have to formally register

themselves for participation in the conference. November 30, 2014 is the closing day for the registration in the

conference. Please download the registration form from conference website www.brahuiconference.org and

email the filled registration form as attachment to [email protected]

We particularly encourage the submission of abstracts and full papers that address the conference themes.

Each abstract and full paper must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines. Abstracts and full papers

must be submitted with the intention that at least one author will register for the conference and that the work

will be presented if accepted. Please note that a maximum of two papers can be accepted for presentation per

registered delegate

Authors are invited to submit abstracts of up to 350 words and include up to 5 keywords. We welcome

contributions from professionals, academics and researchers under the conference themes. You will be asked

to select a conference theme when submitting your abstract. During the submission process please indicate

whether, upon acceptance, you intend to submit a full paper for double blind peer review. September 30, 2014

is the closing day for the submission of the abstracts.

The Abstract must be submitted on the conference abstract format. Download the form and send us the

completed abstract on [email protected].

Upon acceptance of your abstract, you will be invited to submit a full paper for double blind peer review.

October 30, 2014 is the closing day for the submission of the full papers. The full papers should be sent to

[email protected].

Please note that your submitted paper will not be automatically accepted for the conference proceedings. All

submitted papers will be rigorously reviewed by academic reviewers who assure that papers meet the high

academic standards of peer reviewed conference proceedings.

The full article should be submitted in word (NOT PDF). Please ensure that your paper is ready to go to press

by the submission deadline having thoroughly read the paper for errors. If English is not your first language

then this is especially important. To facilitate easier processing, reviewing, and publishing all submissions.

PLEASE follow this checklist:

12-point Times New Roman font.

Single-spacing throughout the document.

Double space (instead of indent) to designate a new paragraph or section.

Page numbers at the bottom center of each page.

Top, bottom, and side margins no less than 7/8 of an inch or 2.2 cm.

Cover page that includes title, authors, their affiliations, their contact information, and the topic of the

submission.

Title, authors and affiliations repeated at the beginning of the body of the paper.

Manuscript not to exceed 5,000 words (excluding tables, figures and references).

Manuscripts longer than 5,000 words will be returned for editing.

Graphs and visuals can be reproduced electronically.

References must adhere to the APA referencing format.

Note: All the papers must be in English or Urdu Language

Following are the key dates for prospective participants

Due to financial constraints, the organizers of the conference are unable to bear the travel expenses of the pre-

senters / participants from the abroad. The presenters / participants from the aboard are requested to find alter-

natives sources for their travel expenses including requesting their own institutions or other funding agencies/

institutions. However, the host organizations would be facilitating the guests in booking of their flights etc.

There are slightly different requirements for the citizens of different countries for Pakistan visa. Please visit

website of Pakistani embassy in your country for the visa process and details of the requirements. The confer-

ence host organizations would fully facilitate the presents / participants from the abroad in acquiring Pakistani

visa including issue invitation letters, booking flights on behalf of the presenters / participants etc.

The conference would be held in Islamabad Hotel and the lodging arrangements for the guests have also been

made in the same hotel. Islamabad Hotel ex-Holiday Inn Islamabad in the beautiful city and capital of Pakistan

is situated in the Centre of the city having superb location near to the Parliament House, Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, Government Secretariat and Diplomatic Enclave. It is very close to all major sights and prestigious

shopping areas and only 20-Km away from Islamabad International Airport.

The Islamabad Hotel ex-Holiday Inn Islamabad offers guests the utmost in comfort. Its luxuriously furnished

rooms include the spacious twin room or the king leisure and royal and Executive Suites. The Islamabad Hotel

consists of 131 rooms, two restaurants and four banquet halls. It is tastefully designed, decorated and renovat-

ed property. Islamabad Hotel Contact Details are as under:

Islamabad Hotel (Coordinates: 33°42'57.64"N, 73° 5'3.89"E )

G- 6, Civic Center, Islamababad, Pakistan

Tel: (92-51) 2827311-20 Lines

Tel: (92-51) 2603371-75 Lines

UAN: 111-273-273

:(92-51) 2273273-2824021

[email protected]

September 30, 2014 Deadline for Submission of Abstract

October 05, 2014 Notification of Acceptance of Abstract

October 30, 2014 Last Date for Submission of Full Paper

November 10, 2014 Notification for Acceptance of Full Paper

November 30, 2014 Last Date for Conference Registration

December 05, 2014 Submission of Final Presentation

December 10, 2014 Confirmation of Bookings & Accommodation

December 15, 2014 Distribution of Conference Program

January 17-18, 2015 Conference Dates

Secretary: [email protected]

Executive Director, PDI Pakistan: [email protected]

Media team: [email protected]

Phone: +92-213-5842763

www.brahuiconference.org

Dr. Mir Salahuddin Mengal,

Chairman, Brahui Academy Quetta, Balochistan Pakistan.

Sikander Brohi,

Executive Director, Participatory Development Initiatives (PDI) Pakistan.

Mr. Johar Brahui, Chairman Sangat Publications, Fareedabad, Mehar, Sindh, Pakistan.

Prof. Sosan Brahui, Chairman, Brahui Adabi Board, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Mr. Sultan Ahmed Shahwani, Station Director, Radio Pakistan, Khuzdar Balochistan.

Ms. Saima Hassan, Manager Programs, PDI Pakistan.

Mr. Nazir Shakir Brahui, Director, Brahui Research Institute, Pakistan.

Mr. Zahid Brahui General Secretary Brahui Academy Quetta, Balochistan Pakistan.

Mr. Mohammed Qasim Brohi, PDI Pakistan.

Mr. Parvaiz Memon Manager Admin, PDI Pakistan.

Mr. Javed Sabzoi,Manager Finance, PDI Pakistan.

Ms Fatima Brohi, PDI Pakistan.

Mr. Abdul Waheed Panhwar, Manager Media and Communication, PDI Pakistan.

Mr. Faiz Mohammed Brahui, IT Specialist, PDI Pakistan.