Call for Papers: "Rap and the Slavic Languages" (Editor: Aleksej Tikhonov, University of Zurich)

University of Zurich

Call for Papers: "Rap and the Slavic Languages" (Editor: Aleksej Tikhonov (University of Zurich)) The first volume of Rap & die slawischen Sprachen revealed a multifaceted world of Slavic languages within rap, and rap within Slavic languages, extending far beyond the traditional geographical boundaries of Slavic Studies. Analyzing case studies ranging from German-speaking countries to Central Asia, the first volume explored diverse linguistic diversity and creativity of Slavic languages and cultures. Following a consistently positive reception from both the media and the academic community, it has become evident that further exploration of this emerging research field is essential. For the second volume, Rap and the Slavic Languages, the publication language will shift to English. The editor invites colleagues from diverse disciplines, mainly Slavic linguistics, but also literary and cultural studies, history, musicology, and social sciences, to submit their abstracts. While the central focus remains on Slavic languages and their application within the hip hop culture, the volume welcomes as well literary, cultural-anthropological, sociological, or political science approaches that focus on language as the primary object of study. Simply put, in four words: Language and its use. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: Linguistic Specificities: Language use in rap across East, South, and West Slavic regions (e.g., registers, dialects, etc.); Visual Language: Graffiti as an artistic and linguistic expression of hip-hop culture in Slavic languages, with a particular interest in Cyrillic and Glagolitic scripts; Sociopolitical Dimensions: The sociolinguistic impact of rap in Slavic regions, particularly in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war (post-2014 and the 2022 full-scale invasion); Youth Culture: Rap as a component of contemporary youth language and culture, specifically regarding Generation Z; Post-Migrant & Post-Colonial Perspectives: Rap in the context of Slavic languages both within and outside traditional Slavic territories; Multilingualism & Language Contact: Code-switching and language contact situations within rap; Metalinguistic Functions: The reflexive role of language within rap lyrics; Digital Interrelations: The relationship between language use in rap and social media networks; Language Contacts: German-Slavic, English-Slavic, French-Slavic, and similar linguistic intersections; Intertextuality: The dialogue between rap and other literary genres or canonical works; Primary Data: Verbatim transcriptions of interviews with rappers regarding their language use, intended for publication as Open Source research data. The examples above indicate the thematic trajectory of the volume but are not exhaustive. The editor remains open to new perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches. Submission: Abstracts: Approximately 300 words (excluding references), written in English. Format: PDF file including title, abstract, bibliography, author’s full name, current institutional affiliation, and contact email. Submission Deadline: June 1, 2026. Submission E-mail: aleksej.tikhonov@uzh.ch (also for questions). Full Papers: Accepted contributions should be approximately 50,000 characters (including spaces & references). Planned Publication: First quarter 2027. Deadline: 2026-06-02