BUCLD 51

Special Topic: Acquiring Rules
November 5–8, 2026

Featured Speakers
★ Keynote Speaker
Prof. Jesse Snedeker

Harvard University
Department of Psychology

◆ Plenary Speaker
Prof. Kathryn Schuler

University of Pennsylvania
Department of Linguistics

Inaugural Special Topic

Acquiring Rules

Beginning with BUCLD 51, the conference will feature a new annual special topic selected by the invited plenary speaker, who also joins the organizing committee as a visiting faculty advisor.

This inaugural topic focuses on how children acquire rules and generalizations across phonology, morphology, syntax, variation, and their interfaces — from any theoretical perspective.

We welcome contributions addressing how children acquire and represent linguistic structure. Both abstracts and symposia may be submitted in relation to this topic.

Calls for Submission
Abstracts

General & Topic Submissions

20-minute talks and posters on any aspect of language acquisition.

→ 500-word maximum
→ Must not exceed two pages
→ Submit via the website portal
→ Check the box if your work fits the special topic

Symposia

90-Minute Proposals

1,000-word proposals on broad-interest topics, especially the special topic.

→ Include participants, topics, format, and one organizer
→ Email to langconf@bu.edu
→ Subject line: “Symposium proposal”
→ State alignment with the special topic

Contact & Policies
Get in Touch

Questions? Email: langconf@bu.edu

→ Subscribe to email announcements

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Equity & Inclusion

BUCLD follows the REIL guidelines from the LSA Committee on Gender Equity in Linguistics.

REIL Guidelines

Important Dates
Abstract deadline
June 15, 2026
Midnight, anywhere on Earth

Symposium deadline
June 15, 2026
Midnight, anywhere on Earth

Decisions released
End of July 2026
Notifications sent by email

Submission Details

A suggested abstract format and style guide is available on the conference website.

Topic-related submissions are encouraged. Check the relevant box in the submission portal for both abstracts and symposia.

Further Information

Conference websitewww.bu.edu/bucld

Emaillangconf@bu.edu

The BUCLD 51 Organizing Committee