1. What is the GSFL?
The GSFL is an international team of social scientists, practitioners, and students who are devoted to promoting cooperative work within the field of Forensic Linguistics to the betterment of the society. Towards that end, the GSFL will be holding the second annual Roundtable where professionals and students committed to working cooperatively, both inside and outside of academia, can share their knowledge in a supportive collegial environment.
2. Why does the Society name use the term “Germanic” and not “German”?
The use of the term “Germanic” for the GSFL is not a mistake. This term was purposefully chosen to reflect the international and research focus of the GSFL. The GSFL is devoted to researching, studying, and applying linguistic data gathered from one or more of the world’s Germanic languages (e.g., Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, English, German, Norwegian, Swedish, etc..). However, the membership of the GSFL is international and includes people from around the globe. Since its start, more than 20 different nationalities have been represented at GSFL events.
3. Do I have to be a linguist in order to attend a GSFL event?
No. Forensic Linguistics is by definition an interdisciplinary field. Therefore professionals and students working in associated areas such as criminology, law enforcement, sociolinguistics, psychology, and law are most welcome to attend. However, all abstract submissions must focus upon the interaction between forensics and language (spoken, written, and/or signed).
4. If I am interested in presenting at a GSFL Roundtable, does my abstract proposal have to deal with a Germanic language?
Yes and No. As this is the GSFL, all submissions must have a direct connection with either a Germanic language or a nation in which a Germanic language is either a national, official, or colonial language. However, comparisons drawn between Germanic and non-Germanic contexts are warmly welcomed.
5. Do I have to present a paper or a poster to attend a GSFL Roundtable?
No. You do not have to present a paper or poster to attend the Roundtable. However, as space is limited, attendees must apply for a place. As space is limited, tickets for attendance will be awarded strictly on a first come first serve basis.
6. Can members of the general public attend a GSFL Roundtable?
Yes. However, as space is very limited, interested members of the press and general public may only attend AFTER they have received special permission from the GSFL. Given the forensic focus of the conference, attendees are warned that the subjects presented in the Roundtable will be both scientific and serious in content. Underage attendees for that reason will not allowed.
7. How can I join the GSFL?
To apply for membership in the GSFL, simply complete and submit the official form found here. All applications will be carefully reviewed by members of the GSFL Executive Council. Applicants who have been approved for membership will be sent detailed information about how to acitivate their membership account. Members of the GSFL receive a number of different special discounts and privileges:
- Updates on all upcoming GSFL activities
- Discounts on all GSFL events and services
- Job and stipendium announcements
- GSFL members contact list
- Regular postings on conferences, seminars, talks, and trainings of interest in Forensic Linguistics and related fields (i.e. psychology, sociology, law, law enforcement, etc.).
8. What if I am unable to attend the Roundtable but I still want to become a member?
No problem at all. The Roundtables are a wonderful opportunity to form important personal and professional contacts and learn about some of the most cutting-edge research being conducted in the field. However, we understand that it is not always possible to attend conferences, especially given the expense of international travel these days. For that reason, we have made a concerted effort to ensure that all GSFL can actively participate in the Society activities online. If you are a forensic professional, academic, or student, you are warmly invited to join the society.
9. What if my abstract was accepted for a Roundtable, but I am unable to attend?
If your abstract already went through the review process and was officially accepted for presentation at a Roundtable, your paper or poster will automatically be accepted for presentation for the very next GSFL Roundtable. You simply need to re-register the following year and alert organizers that you will be attending.
10. How much does it cost to attend a GSFL Roundtable?
The registration fees depend upon your student and employment status as well as the number of days that you wish to attend. There are also special discounts available for people who register early for the Roundtable and, of course, for all official members of the GSFL.
11. What about accommodations for the Roundtable?
The GSFL organizers always post local hotels and hostels at various price categories. Attendees are STRONGLY encouraged to make their accommodation arrangements are soon as possible, as the Roundtable is typically held in very popular locations during the peak of the tourist season.
12. What does the abbreviation LSA stand for?
This abbreviation stands for the Linguistic Society of America. All abstracts submitted to the GSFL should follow the guidelines established by this Society using the official LSA Style Sheet. For an online version of the stylistic and grammatical rules to be found in this Style Sheet, you can use the following link: Here!
13. What is the difference between a “paper” and a “poster” presentation?
The two designations are commonly used in international conferences to distinguish between formal timed presentations which are made to a seated, scholarly audience (a paper); and a poster which consists of a researcher presenting his/her findings in the form of short informal talks around an illustrative poster prepared in advance. Young scholars very often prefer to present posters at the beginning of their career because this formation is often more relaxed and therefore less intimidating. However, both paper and poster submission must be judged to have a high scholarly in order to be accepted for presentation at a GSFL conference.
14. What if my paper or poster for the Roundtable has more than one author?
Papers and poster abstracts with more than one author are heartily welcome for submission. If more than one author is planning on attending the conference to present, it will be important to organize the presentation such that each speaker has time to address the audience within the time-frame allowed. One effective strategy might involve dividing the presentation according to its composite parts (e.g. one person presents the rationale and methodology; and another person presents the results and application of the research). Another popular strategy consists of a primary speaker presenting the research in its entirety and a secondary speaker taking questions from the audience.
15. What if my paper or poster for the Roundtable deals with Forensic Phonetics/Phonology?
Although some organizations prefer to keep these two areas of forensic research entirely separate, the GSFL places great value upon bringing scientists and practitioners from multiple disciplines together. With this goal in mind, the GSFL not only accepts but warmly welcomes any and all papers and posters dealing with Forensic Phonetics/Phonology.
16. Do I have to be a researcher, future or present, to present a paper or poster at the GSFL Roundtable?
Absolutely NOT. The GSFL was designed to be an inclusive Society which has as one of its primary goals the bringing together of researchers and practitioners who are interested in sharing their insights into the intersection between language, law, crime, society, and justice. Practitioners such as police officers, counselors, psychologists, lawyers, translators, interpreter, etc. are warmly encouraged to present papers or posters which report upon their experiences.