Conference Papers

(not fully up to date; see publications page for published versions of titles without links)

"Forward to the Past: Modernizing Linguistic Typology by Returning to its Roots". Keynote presentation to the 4th International Symposium on Linguistic Typology, Renmin University, 2019-07-05-07.
“The Debate on Comparative Categories (Concepts) in Typology and Possible Reasons for the Different Positions”. 3rd Biannual International Conference on Linguistic Typology, Shanghai International Studies University, 14-17 July, 2017. (Materials distributed for discussion at the conference)
“On the Structure of the Clause in Proto-Sino-Tibetan and Its Development in the Daughter Languages”. International Conference on the Ancestry of the Languages and Peoples of China, Jinan University, 30-31 May, 2017. (slides from talk)
“On the Utility of a Communication-based Empirical Approach in Linguistics”. Invited keynote address to 15th International Symposium on Chinese Languages and Linguistics (IsCLL-15), National Hsinchu University of Education, 27-29 May 2016. (slides from talk)
“Linguistic Typology and its applications for Applied Linguistics”. 30th SAAL Lecture 2015, Singapore Association for Applied Linguistics 30th Annual Meeting, Raffles Town Club, 31 October 2015. (slides from talk)
“Once again on methodology in Sino-Tibetan linguistics: Problems with van Driem's 'Trans-Himalayan'”. Invited Keynote presentation to the 47th International Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics Conference, Institute of Sino-Tibetan Studies, Yunnan Normal University, China, 17-19 Oct. 2014.
“On communication, language, and multilingualism”. Invited Plenary address to The International Conference on Applied Linguistics and Language Education (ICALLE), De Le Salle University, Manila, Philippines, 16-18 Oct. 2014.
“Variation of tone in different grammatical constructions in Rawang” (Randy J. LaPolla & David Sangdong). Paper presented to the 24th Meeting of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (SEALS24), Yangon University, Myanmar, 27-31 May, 2014.
"Critique of bilingualism research" China-ASEAN Symposium on Cross-culture Education and the 10th International Bilingualism Symposium, Guiyang, Guizhou, China, 16-17 September, 2013.
"Why Systemic Functional Grammar isn't just for those working in SFG (and vice versa)". Keynote presentation to 40th International Systemic Functional Congress (ISFC40), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 15-19 July, 2013.
“Once again on person-marking in Tibeto-Burman: A reply to DeLancey 2010”. Paper presented at the 45th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguisitics, Nanyang Technological University, 26-28 October, 2012.
“Clausal Noun-Modifying Constructions in Sino-Tibetan Languages”. Paper presented at the Fourth International Conference on Sinology, Academia Sinica, 20-22 June, 2012.
“Arguments for a construction-based approach to the analysis of Chinese”. Keynote presentation to The Second International Symposium on Chinese Language and Discourse, Nanyang Technological University, 9-11 June, 2012.
“Arguments for a construction-based approach to the analysis of Sino-Tibetan languages”. Keynote presentation to the Workshop on Typological Studies of Languages of China, held in conjunction with ALT9, University of Hong Kong, 21 July, 2011.
“The nature of cognition, communication and language, and their influence on language development”. The 8th China International Forum on Cognitive Linguistics, Beijing (several universities), 4-11 November, 2010.
“On the logical necessity of a cultural connection for all aspects of linguistic structure”. 10th RCLT International Workshop, “The Shaping of Language”, La Trobe University, 14, July 2010. Downloadable podcast and handout available on iTunes U: http://itunes.apple.com/au/itunes-u/the-shaping-of-language/id391930814
“Questions on transitivity in three Tibeto-Burman languages”. Paper presented at the 42^nd International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Payap University, 2-4 November, 2009.
“Constituent structure of a Tagalog text“. Plenary address to 10th Philippine Linguistics Congress, University of the Philippines, 10-12 December, 2008.
“Transitivity and Transitivity Alternations in Rawang and Qiang“. Invited paper presented to the International Workshop on the Languages of Sichuan, Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica, 21-24 November, 2008.
“Causes and effects of substratum, superstratum and adstratum influence, with reference to Tibeto-Burman languages”. Invited paper presented to the Symposium on Linguistic Substrata in the Tibeto-Burman Area, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, September 9-11, 2008.
“Questions on transitivity“. Presentation to open the Workshop on Transitivity, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, La Trobe University, 21 August, 2008.
“‘Transitivity Harmony’ in the Rawang Language of Northern Myanmar“. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the Australian Linguistic Society, University of Sydney, 2-4 July, 2008.
“Relative Clause Structures in the Rawang Language”. Paper presented to the International Workshop on Relative Clauses, Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, 2-3 November. (Actually presented 12/11/07)
“Language Contact and Language Change in the History of the Sinitic Languages”. Paper presented at The Beijing Forum, Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Great Hall of the People, Beijing, and Peking University, 2-4 November, 2007.
“Hierarchical person marking in Rawang“. Paper presented to the 40th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Harbin, China, 26-29 Sept., 2007.
“Word-class-changing derivations in Rawang“. Invited paper presented to the Workshop on Word-class-changing Derivations, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Institute for Advanced Study, La Trobe University, 13 June, 2007.
“Nominalization and copulas in Rawang”. Invited keynote address to International Workshop on Nominalizers and Copulas in East Asian and Neighboring Languages, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 9-12 January, 2007. See LaPolla 2008 and 2006.
“Cong yuyan, fangyan de bijiao kan yuyan de lishi yanbian (Understanding the historical development of a language from comparing it with related languages and dialects)”. Invited plenary address to the 2006 International Conference on Comparative East Asian Linguistics, Shanghai Normal University, December 25-27, 2006.
“Nominalization in Rawang”. Invited keynote address to the 39th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, University of Washington, Seattle, 15-17 September, 2006.
“The how and why of syntactic relations“. Invited plenary address and keynote of the Centre for Research on Language Change Workshop on Grammatical Change at the Annual Conference of the Australian Linguistics Society, University of Queensland, 7-9 July, 2006.
“Clause linking in Dulong-Rawang“. Invited paper presented to the Workshop on the Semantics of Clause Linking, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Institute for Advanced Study, La Trobe University, 24 May, 2006.
“When SVO isn’t: On clause structure in Mandarin Chinese”. Australian Linguistics Society Annual Conference, Melbourne, 28-30 September, 2005.
“Direct and indirect speech in Tagalog” (Randy J. LaPolla & Dory Poa). Workshop on Direct and Indirect Speech, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, La Trobe University, June 8, 2005.
“Di er yuyan xide dui di yi yuyan de yingxiang (The influence of second language acquisition on one’s first language)” Keynote speech presented at the 4th International Conference on Bilingual Studies, Jinan University, January 8-9, 2005.
“Comparative constructions in Rawang.” Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Comparative Constructions, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Institute for Advanced Study, LaTrobe University, Nov. 3, 2004.
“The inclusive-exclusive distinction in Tibeto-Burman languages.” Paper presented at the 36th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, November 28, 2003.
“Copula constructions in Rawang”. Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Copula Clauses and Verbless Clauses, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Institute for Advanced Study, LaTrobe University, October 30, 2002.

“The Copula and Existential verbs in Qiang” (with Chenglong HUANG). Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Copula Clauses and Verbless Clauses, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Institute for Advanced Study, LaTrobe University, Sept. 4, 2002.
“Adjectives in Qiang” (with Chenglong HUANG). Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Adjective Classes, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Institute for Advanced Study, LaTrobe University, August 12-17, 2002.
“Typology and Complexity”. Invited paper presented at the 3rd Workshop on Language Acquisition, Change, and Evolution (Theme: Language and Complexity), Chinese Linguistics Institute, City University of Hong Kong, May 2-4, 2002.
“The Marking of Information Source in Ronghong Qiang”. Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Tibeto-Burman Linguistics, Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, April 10-12, 2002.
“Evidentiality in the Qiang language”. Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Evidentiality, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Institute for Advanced Study, LaTrobe University, August 6-11, 2001.
“Ostension he inference yu yufahua de guocheng (Ostension, Inference, and the process of grammaticalization)”. Invited plenary (keynote) paper presented (in Chinese) at the First International Conference on Modern Chinese Grammar for the New Millenium, City University of Hong Kong, Feb. 1-3, 2001. See LaPolla and Poa 2002.
“Subgrouping in Tibeto-Burman: Can an individual-identifying standard be developed? How do we factor in the history of migrations and language contact?” Paper presented at the 33rd International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Bangkok and Trang, October 2-6, 2000.
“Nominalization and complementation in Northern Qiang.” Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Qiangic Languages and Linguistics, Institute of Linguistics, Preparatory Office, Academia Sinica, Taipei, November 6-7, 1999. See LaPolla and Huang 1996.
“Factors involved in language change: Evidence from Sino-Tibetan.” Invited paper presented at the Workshop on the Connection Between Areal Diffusion and the Genetic Model of Language Relationship, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Australian National University, August 17-22, 1998. See LaPolla 2001.
“Morphosyntactic means for variable event profiling in Dulong-Rvwang.” Paper presented at the 30th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Beijing, August 24-28, 1997. See LaPolla 2000.
“Argument determined constructions in Dulong/Rvwang.” Invited paper presented at the Workshop on Valency-Changing Derivations, Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, Australian National University, August 18-23, 1997.See LaPolla 2000.
“Middle Marking in Tibeto-Burman.” Paper presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Languages and Linguistics: Pan-Asiatic Linguistics, Bangkok, January 8-10, 1996.
“Reflexive and Middle Marking in Dulong/Rawang.” Paper presented at the 28th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Oct. 6-10, 1995, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
“Patterns of Isomorphy in the Case Marking Systems of Tibeto-Burman Languages.” Paper presented at the 27th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Paris, October 12-16th, 1994. See LaPolla 1995.
“Word Order Patterns in Sino-Tibetan: Their Significance to Theories of Explanation in Typology.” Invited paper presented at the Symposium on Language Typology, Tsukuba University, Japan, January 19-21, 1994. See LaPolla 2002.
“Ergative Marking in Tibeto-Burman.” Paper (one of two) presented at the 26th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, September 13-18th, 1993.
“On the Change to Verb-Medial Word Order in Proto-Chinese: Evidence from Tibeto-Burman.” Paper (one of two) presented at the 26th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, September 13-18th, 1993.
“Variable Finals in Proto-Sino-Tibetan.” Paper (one of two) presented at the 25th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, U.C. Berkeley, October 14-18th, 1992.
“Parallel Grammaticalizations in Tibeto-Burman: Evidence of Sapir’s ‘Drift’”. Paper (one of two) presented at the 25th International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, U.C. Berkeley, October 14-18th, 1992.
“The Primary Object in Tibeto-Burman.” Paper presented to the 2nd International Symposium on Chinese Languages and Linguistics, Academia Sinica, August 9-11, 1991. See LaPolla 1992.
“On the Grammaticalization of Information Structure in Mandarin Chinese.” Paper presented to the 1989 Annual Meeting of the Linguistic Society of America, Washington D.C., December 27-30, 1989. See LaPolla 1995.
“On Sino-Tibetan Diachronic Syntax.” Paper presented to the 22nd International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, University of Hawaii, Oct. 6-8, 1989.
“Verb Agreement, Head-Marking vs. Dependent-Marking, and the ‘Deconstruction’ of Tibeto-Burman Morpho-Syntax.” Paper presented to the 15th Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society, UC Berkeley, Feb. 18-20, 1989. See LaPolla 1992.
“‘Subject’ and Referent Tracking: Arguments for a Discourse-Based Grammar of Chinese.” Paper presented to the West Coast Conference on Linguistics, California State University, Fresno, October 14-16, 1988.
“Topicalization and the Question of Lexical Passives in Chinese.” Paper presented to the Third Annual Ohio State University Conference on Chinese Linguistics, Ohio State University, May 13-14, 1988.
“An Experimental Investigation into Sound Symbolism as it Relates to Mandarin Chinese.” Paper presented to Conference on Sound Symbolism, U.C. Berkeley, Jan. 19-21, 1986.