DEH International Conference on “The Trans- Phenomenon in Language, Literature, and Culture”
The Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) successfully hosted a two-day international conference titled “The Trans- Phenomenon in Language, Literature, and Culture” on November 15-16, 2024. The conference was held in a hybrid mode with Day 1 being onsite at the ULAB permanent campus and Day 2 being online. The two-day event brought together renowned academics, researchers and students from diverse disciplines to explore the multifaceted implications of the “trans-” prefix in contemporary studies.
The Keynote Speakers were Prof. Kaiser Haq, Dean, School of Arts and Humanities, ULAB (Day 1) and Prof. Guofang Li, Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia, Canada (Day 2). Plenary speakers included Dr. Azfar Hussain, Director of the Graduate Program in Social Innovation, Grand Valley State University, USA, and Summer Distinguished Professor, Department of English and Humanities, ULAB; Professor Mahmud Hasan Khan from the Department of English and Modern Languages, IUB; Dr. Shyam Sharma, Associate Professor and Program Director in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric, State University of New York in Stony Brook, USA; and Dr. Nira Rahman, Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne, Australia. In addition, the conference featured four panel discussions and one special event.
Day One began with a welcome address by Professor Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor, ULAB, followed by addresses by Professor Jude William R. Genilo, Pro-Vice Chancellor, ULAB and Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Professor of English, University of Dhaka and Special Advisor to the Board of Trustees, ULAB.
The first keynote address was delivered by Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at ULAB. Dr. Haq spoke about how the “trans- age” represents a transformative period in which literature is redefining our understanding of identity and storytelling. Professor Haq emphasized that this literary moment is not only about narrating stories but also about driving meaningful change. Reflecting on the philosophical dimensions of literary and cultural studies, he remarked, “The biggest lesson in literary and cultural studies, and hopefully in philosophy, is that we should guard ourselves against reification—when the abstract is considered something concrete.” The session concluded with remarks from the session chair, Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, Professor Emeritus, Department of English, University of Dhaka, who shared thoughtful reflections on the keynote speech, further enriching the discussion.
The first Panel Discussion, titled “Glocalizing Professional Learning: Insights from the Margins,” featured Professor Shaila Sultana, Director of the BRAC Institute of Language and Professor at the Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka; Professor Mashrur Shahid Hossain, Department of English, Jahangirnagar University; Professor Sabiha Huq, Department of English and Humanities, BRAC University, and Professor at Khulna University; and Professor Ahmed Bashir, Department of English, University of Dhaka, and President of BELTA, with Dr. Mian Md. Naushaad Kabir serving as the panel’s Moderator.
Professor Shaila Sultana began the discussion by highlighting the significance of the trans- phenomenon in education and critiquing the dominance of English despite increasing multilingualism. She advocated for translingual practices, encouraging the inclusion of multiple languages, scripts, and varieties of English to promote more inclusive learning environments.
Professor Mashrur Hossain followed with a discussion on marginalization and the critical role of professional associations in supporting teacher-scholars. He illustrated examples from Bangladesh, including Horizon literature, the “Ulti Bhasha” of Hijras, and the invisibilization of Urdu literature. He concluded with a vision to establish the Comparative Literature Association of Bangladesh.
Professor Sabiha Huq then spoke about the intersection of emotion and intellect, and how the global is deeply connected to the marginal. She elaborated on the role of ATLEB (Association of Teachers of Literatures in English, Bangladesh) in bridging the global and the marginal, emphasizing its mission to promote liberal education and intellectual growth. She expressed hopes for future collaborations with other institutions and organizations.
The final speaker, Professor Ahmed Bashir introduced BELTA's objectives, which include professional development, networking, inclusivity, and integrating research into English teaching and learning. While acknowledging the organization's shortcomings, he expressed a commitment to improving English language education in Bangladesh and beyond.
The panel session concluded with thoughtful reflections by the moderator, Dr. Naushaad Kabir, followed by a brief question-and-answer session, leaving attendees with valuable insights and opportunities for further engagement.
The second panel discussion of the conference titled “Community, Culture, and Languages: Social Justice at the Crossroads,” featured four panelists and was moderated by Abantee Harun, Assistant Professor, GED, ULAB.
During the discussion, Firoz Ahmed, Director of Editorial and Business Development at UPL, spoke about preserving the languages of ethnic and minority groups through education, documentation, and community-led initiatives. He warned of the risk of extinction when dominant cultures impose linguistic assimilation, marginalizing minority voices.
The next speaker was Mir Hojaifa Al Mamduh, a researcher and writer, who focused on the role of local communities in decolonizing education, literature, and cultural practices, emphasizing their importance in cultural preservation.
Ilira Dewan, an Adivasi activist from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, highlighted the ethical considerations involved in representing marginalized communities in research and literature.
Finally, Professor Sayeed Ferdous, Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, discussed grassroots movements advocating for linguistic and cultural rights. He called for collaborative efforts between academic institutions and marginalized communities to ensure their safety and cultural preservation.
The session concluded with thoughtful reflections from the moderator Ms. Abantee Harun, leaving the audience with a deeper understanding of the intersections of community, culture, and language in the pursuit of social justice.
The first plenary session of the conference with the speaker, Professor Mahmud Hasan Khan, from the Department of English and Modern Languages, IUB. His thought-provoking presentation was titled “To Politicize or Not to Politicize the Current Trans- Movement.” Professor Khan began by exploring three interlinked concepts central to the translanguage movement: “language-ism,” “cultural-ism,” and “national-ism.” Using practical examples, he elaborated on how these “-isms” influence the trans- movement and the broader socio-cultural discourse. He critiqued the prevailing notion that proficiency in English is a guaranteed pathway to socioeconomic mobility, observing that this belief conserves a hierarchical structure. He also addressed the concept of “contextualization,” emphasizing that any language adapts to meet the needs of its target audience.
The final panel discussion of Day 1, titled “Transnational Perspectives: Literature as a Site of Local and Global Transactions,” featured three distinguished speakers and was moderated by Professor Shamsad Mortuza, who also facilitated an engaging open forum with the audience.
Professor Razia Sultana Khan, Advisor, Department of English and Modern Languages, IUB, opened the discussion by examining the fluidity of self and body politics. She explored how personal and collective identities transform as they transcend boundaries, emphasizing the complexities of identity in a transnational context.
Abdus Selim, Chair and Associate Professor at Central Women’s University, delved into the concept of transnationalism. He highlighted the dynamic exchanges between cultures, communities, and ideologies across national boundaries. While he celebrated the global circulation of literature, he cautioned against the risk of homogenization, where dominant cultures may overshadow marginalized voices.
Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, ULAB, focused on the transactional nature of literature. He discussed how blending languages, styles, and genres creates hybrid forms that reflect cultural interconnectivity. Literature, he argued, serves as a space where diverse voices converge, weaving a rich tapestry of interconnected human experiences.
The session concluded with an open forum moderated by Professor Mortuza, inviting the audience to participate in an engaging discussion. This interactive conclusion allowed for diverse perspectives to emerge, marking a stimulating end to the day’s proceedings.
The second day of the International Conference was held online. After the opening remarks, the keynote address, delivered by Professor Guofang Li, Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia, Canada, began. The session was moderated by Professor Shaila Sultana, Director, BRAC Institute of Language, BRAC University and Professor, Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka.
In her keynote, Professor Li explored the “tensions in the trans- phenomenon and the disabling learning systems and their consequences.” She showcased her ongoing research on enabling learning systems with examples highlighting “pluriversal trans-ibilities.” She also delved into the complexities inherent in meaning-making processes and their significance in teaching and learning. Remarking on the role of plurilingual practices, she emphasized, “We can’t just focus on the after-school program but need to know how we can support parents to advocate for plurilingual practices.” The keynote concluded with an engaging Q&A session.
The first plenary session followed the keynote with the speaker, Dr. Azfar Hussain, Director of the Graduate Program in Social Innovation at Grand Valley State University, USA and Summer Distinguished Professor, DEH, ULAB, who delivered a presentation titled “From Words to Worlds: Translation as Transnational Praxis.” Dr. Hussain described translation as a transformative world-making practice, coining the term “the worlding of the word and the wording of the world, capturing a dynamic and dialectical process.” He explained the materiality of translation and discussed the implications of mistranslation using real-life examples.
The second plenary speaker, Dr. Shyam Sharma, Associate Professor and Program Director, Program in Writing and Rhetoric, State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA, delivered a presentation titled “Cultivating Ecologies of Language and Knowledge: Transcending Boundaries, Countering Hegemonies.” Dr. Sharma highlighted geographical, policy and academic barriers to local knowledge and epistemic flow. He proposed strategies such as translingual, transcultural, and transdisciplinary approaches, and cross-cultural epistemic work to address these challenges. He also acknowledged the complexities of local hegemonies while countering global forces.
The third plenary speaker, Dr. Nira Rahman, Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne, Australia, presented on “Fostering Respect, Inclusion, and Diversity in Pedagogical Practices.” Dr. Rahman advocated for open dialogue and respectful communication to promote empathy among students from diverse cultural, social, and linguistic backgrounds. She stated, “Pedagogical practices are essential for creating equitable and dynamic learning environments,” and elaborated on inclusive teaching strategies, such as differentiated instruction and multimodal learning, to accommodate varied abilities and foster belonging.
The evening featured a special event, “Celebrating Ten Years of Translanguaging: Reflections and Future Directions.” Moderated by Dr. Abu Saleh Mohammad Rafi, Associate Professor, DEH, ULAB, and Dr. Zhongfeng Tian, Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Education, Rutgers University-Newark, the session welcomed two eminent speakers: Professor Ofelia Garcia, Professor Emerita, City University of New York and Professor Li Wei, Dean, Institute of Education, University College London, authors of the seminal article on translanguaging that was the focus of the session.
Dr. Rafi opened the session with a thought-provoking question on the key influences shaping the authors’ conceptualization of translanguaging as a scholarly field. This was followed by Dr. Tian’s question on the evolution of their understanding of translanguaging theory over time. The interactive session focused on different aspects of the seminal article and highlighted the authors’ thoughts on the future of translanguaging. The session ended with a lively discussion that resonated with the audience.
The final panel discussion of the conference, moderated by Dr. Rafi and Dr. Tian, focused on “Translanguaging for Justice: Transformative Praxis in Education.” The panel featured six distinguished speakers: Dr. Angel M. Y. Lin, Chair Professor of Education, University of Hong Kong; Dr. Anna Mendoza, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Dr. Jamie L. Schissel, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Dr. Laura Hamman-Ortiz, Assistant Professor, University of Rhode Island; Dr. Prem Phyak, Associate Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University; and Dr. Shakina Rajendram, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto.
The panelists shared their perspectives on how translanguaging transforms educational practices for bi/multilingual students, particularly in promoting justice and equity. Responding to the moderators’ final question, “What future directions or pressing questions should the field prioritize, especially in bi/multilingual educational contexts?” the panelists offered insightful reflections. The session concluded with gratitude extended to the panelists for their contributions.
The day concluded with closing remarks by Professor Jude William Genilo, Pro-Vice Chancellor, ULAB, Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean, School of Arts and Humanities, and Dr. Abdullah Al Mahmud, Associate Professor, DEH, ULAB. The host, Jahanara Tariq, Lecturer, DEH, ULAB then invited Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, Head and Associate Professor, DEH, ULAB, to deliver the vote of thanks, bringing the two-day conference to an end.
Special recognition was given to the student volunteers from DEH, ULAB for their invaluable contributions to the event. The conference was a resounding success, fostering meaningful discussions and paving the way for future scholarship in the field.
Both days featured parallel sessions with enthusiastic student and faculty presenters who captivated the audience with their innovative ideas and research.
The conference conveners were Dr. Abu Saleh Md. Rafi and Dr. Abdullah Al Mahmud, both Associate Professors at the Department of English and Humanities, ULAB.
Report by Rabeya Rahman (183013032)
