Full Title: 4th International Conference on Formal Approaches to Meaning in Chinese
Short Title: ICFAMC-4

Date: 18-Dec-2025 - 19-Dec-2025
Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Meeting Email: [email protected]

Linguistic Field(s): Semantics

Call Deadline: 31-Aug-2025

The International Conference on Formal Approaches to Meaning in Chinese emphasizes the semantic analysis of the Chinese languages, as well as other languages in reference to Chinese, within the framework of formal semantics using logical tools such as first-order logic, Boolean algebra, lattice theory, etc. This conference series, with the first held in 2019, provides a platform for scholars to share their latest research findings on formal semantics of the Chinese languages.

The conference aims to:
- Evaluate current theoretical assumptions and existing analytical frameworks of formal semantics.
- Discuss current theoretical analyses of natural languages (particularly the Chinese languages and other languages in comparison to the Chinese languages), and explore their limitations and deficiencies.
- Propose new analyses and theories to promote the theoretical development of formal semantics in China.

The fourth conference, organized by Language Acquisition Laboratory, Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, will be held in Hong Kong during December 18-19, 2025. The conference theme is “Frontiers of Formal Semantics”.

Call for Papers:
We cordially invite abstracts for oral and poster presentations of original, unpublished research work on semantic studies of the Chinese languages and/or other languages with reference to the Chinese languages including, but not limited to:
- Semantics of nominal phrases
- Semantics of quantity and quantification
- Semantics of wh-phrases and wh-structures
- Semantics of information structure (topic/focus)
- Semantics of monotonicity and negative expressions
- Semantics of conditionals
- Event semantics
- Degree semantics
- Modality and possible world semantics
- Intensionality and semantics of indexicals
- Semantics-pragmatics interface
- Acquisition and processing of semantic knowledge

Abstract Format:
Abstracts may be written in English (preferred) or Chinese. Each abstract should include a clear title at the top of the page and have one-inch margins on all sides.
- English: Times New Roman font (size: 12 point)
- Chinese: SimSun 宋體 (size: small 4 “小四” point)
Abstracts should be fitted on one A4 page, with an extra page to include examples, tables, figures, and selected references.

Submission Guidelines:
- Abstracts should be submitted in Word format (.docx) via the Oxford Abstracts platform: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/78857/submitter
- Abstracts must be anonymous. The name of the author(s) should only appear in the electronic submission form on the Oxford Abstracts platform.
- Please name the abstract file as follows:
- Single-author abstract: LastName_FirstName.docx
- Co-authored abstract: LastName_FirstName_co.docx (the name of the first author)
- Submissions are limited to one single-author and one co-authored, or two co-authored abstracts per author.

Important Dates:
- Deadline for abstract submission: August 31, 2025
- Notification of acceptance: October 31, 2025
- Conference dates: December 18-19, 2025

Organizer:
Language Acquisition Laboratory
Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Co-sponsors:
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Major Project of the Social Science Fund of China “Formal Semantic Studies of Chinese and Theoretical Innovations of Formal Semantics” [22&ZD295])
- Faculty of Arts, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- New Asia College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong