Languages and knowledge: Exploring linguistic dominance and cognitive diversity

Tuesday 02 December 2025 - 13:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Languages and knowledge: Exploring linguistic dominance and cognitive diversity

An international colloquium titled "Languages and knowledge: Between linguistic dominance and cognitive diversity" took place on November 27–28, 2025, at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, in Beni Mellal, Morocco. The event gathered 57 participants from Morocco, France, Belgium, Tunisia, and Cameroon, fostering a dynamic scientific exchange on the intricate relationships between languages, power, and knowledge production.

Organized in collaboration with the LRALLARC laboratory, the Eurêka Association for Research on Language, Literature, and Identity, and the Mohammed Bassir Foundation for Research and Communication, the conference addressed the challenges and opportunities posed by linguistic diversity in global knowledge systems. The discussions highlighted the hegemonic role of dominant languages, the resilience of local and minority languages, the complexities of translation and cultural mediation, and the insights of neuroscience into multilingualism.

Investigating the role of languages in shaping knowledge

Over two days, academics and doctoral students examined how languages structure thought, frame reality, and influence epistemological frameworks. Presentations showcased how literature, pedagogy, art, and cinema subvert or reimagine these frameworks, offering alternative ways to perceive and articulate the world.

The conference also emphasized emerging research, particularly through panels featuring doctoral work. Topics included Moroccan language policies, cognitive justice in education, neological creation in Amazigh, multilingualism in media, linguistic variation in literature, and the use of digital tools to preserve endangered languages. These contributions underscored the vitality of a field committed to questioning oversimplifications and exploring the real role of languages in knowledge construction.

Strengthening academic partnerships and regional expertise

By bringing together specialists from diverse disciplines, the colloquium reinforced South-South and South-North partnerships facilitated by Sultan Moulay Slimane University, LRALLARC, and their collaborators. The event paved the way for future cooperation in areas such as multilingual practices, educational policy analysis, and digital humanities development. It also highlighted Beni Mellal's growing reputation as a hub for language sciences and cultural studies.

During the closing ceremony, Mounir Oussikoum, the event’s general coordinator, reflected on the conference’s key moments and announced the forthcoming publication of its proceedings. Hosted on the Moroccan scientific journal portal, this publication aims to extend the impact of the colloquium and presents linguistic diversity as a strategic resource for understanding contemporary transformations.