PanLingua 2026
- Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
- Time: TBD
- Location: University Student Union
- Theme: Languages and Cultures
13 Years Celebrating Languages and Cultures
For 13 years now, PanLingua has been bringing together undergraduate university students from several areas of the Midwest (Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota) to share their research on cultural and linguistic aspects of the languages they explore as language minors, majors or language learners in general.
Recognizing the importance of languages in promoting global awareness and interconnectedness, we invite students to share their views, experiences and knowledge on the importance of being competent in and understanding of different cultures and languages through literature, art, creative writing, linguistics, anthropology, technology, etc.
Conference scope: We welcome submissions on, but not exclusively: archaeology/anthropology, cinema and literature, creative writing, cultural and ethnic studies, environmental studies, global studies, history, language revitalization, linguistics, second language acquisition, travel abroad, translation and visual and performing arts.
Conference languages: Students in upper division language courses present their research work in the target language. Students in lower division language courses can present a poster in English on a topic of a global scope. For students of less commonly taught languages and global studies, presentations can be in English as well.
Presentation length: Approximately 15 minutes or seven pages of text
Abstract format: One paragraph (approximately 100 words)
Abstract submission deadline: Monday, March 9, 2026
Rooms can be reserved at the Comfort Suites University.
929 25th Ave., Brookings, SD 57006.
For the block rate, make your reservation with Lori via email by March 15, 2026.
Presenting: Dakota Iapi Kin Iwounhdakapi Kte – Talking About the Dakota Language
Erin Griffin is from Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and the Westerman family. She is from Dakota homelands and currently resides in Sisseton, South Dakota. Griffin serves as an assistant professor of Dakota and American Indian and Indigenous Studies at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. She holds a Ph.D. in Indigenous language and culture revitalization. Griffin has over 15 years of experience working towards healthy community systems through language and culture revitalization. She has devoted much of her life to learning the Dakota language and creating spaces for others to learn.
Agenda
Monday, March 30, 2026
- 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Full schedule coming after abstract submissions are completed.
Conference History
Through this conference, our undergraduate language students have the opportunity to present their research papers in an academic setting. This is a great opportunity for them to showcase — in the target language — their research interests and their accomplishments as language majors. Since undergrads from other universities attend this conference, our students get to network and share their experiences.
Various disciplines are represented at PanLingua, such as the cultures of the language they study, literature, social issues, linguistics, history, art and religion, among others. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their intellectual interests, to network and to meet other students and professors.
Past Locations
- 2013 – University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
- 2014 – Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, IA
- 2015 – ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, Brookings, SD
- 2016 – Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
- 2017 – Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA
- 2018 – University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
- 2019 – Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
- 2020 – No conference due to COVID-19
- 2021 – University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
- 2022 – Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
- 2023 – University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
- 2024 – Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
- 2025 – University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
- 2026 – ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, Brookings, SD