Howard University Hosts the 16th Annual SEALLF Conference

October 2–3, 2026 | Howard University | Washington, D.C.

2026 Conference Theme: The Intergenerational Transmission of African Languages and Literature in the Digital Era
The Department of World Languages and Cultures at Howard University is pleased to host the 16th Annual Meeting of the Southeast African Languages and Literature Forum (SEALLF) on October 2–3, 2026.

The 2026 SEALLF Conference brings together scholars, educators, researchers, students, and language professionals to explore the changing landscape of African languages and literatures in the digital age.

As African linguistic and literary knowledge increasingly moves across social media, digital classrooms, podcasts, video platforms, digital archives, and AI-assisted language technologies, the conference will examine how African languages, oral traditions, and literary practices can be preserved, taught, reimagined, and transmitted to future generations

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Conference discussions will address important areas including:

  • Digital Pedagogies and Curriculum Innovation
  • AI, Language Technology, and African Linguistic Futures
  • Intergenerational Knowledge and Oral Traditions in Online Spaces
  • Diaspora, Migration, and Heritage Language Learning
  • Digital Humanities and African Literary Archives
  • Social Media, Youth Culture, and Literary Production
  • Language Revitalization, and Sustainability
  • Teacher Training and Innovative Classroom Practices
  • AI Pronunciation and African Languages
  • The Future of African Languages and Literature
  • The conference provides an important platform for critical conversations about the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies, including questions of accessibility, authenticity, algorithmic bias, cultural ownership, pedagogy, and sustainability.

    THEME: THE INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE IN THE DIGITAL ERA.
    DATE: OCTOBER 2-3, 2026.
    ABOUT SEALFF

    The Southeast African Languages and Literature Forum (SEALLF) promote the study, teaching, research, and development of African languages, literatures, and cultures while strengthening collaboration among scholars and institutions in the United States, Africa, and beyond.

    The annual SEALLF Conference attracts participants from universities and academic institutions across the United States, Africa, India, the Caribbean, Brazil, and other parts of the world

    .

    Join Us at Howard University!

    October 2–3, 2026

    Howard University

    Washington, D.C.

    Join us for two days of scholarship, dialogue, innovation, and collaboration as we explore how African languages and literatures can be preserved, transformed, and transmitted across generations in the digital era.

    SEALLF Information

    seallf_conference_2026_info_-_b.pdf