ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF MEDIEVAL THEOLOGY (IGTM) -- 18 JUNE – 20 JUNE 2026, UNIVERSITY OF MÜNSTER (WESTFALEN, GERMANY)

Theme

In recent decades, the study of the relationship between Latin and vernacular languages in the late Middle Ages has grown in importance. For instance, research has examined the relationship between Latin and German in various text genres from 1100 to 1500 (Nigel/Palmer, 1992). Vernacular edification literature and sermons (Schiewer 2000) as well as Bible translations (Sonderegger 1998) have also been researched and edited in the linguistic and literary sub-disciplines of medieval studies. Against this background, the IGTM 2026 conference aims to take a specifically theological perspective on the relationship between Latin and vernacular languages in the late Middle Ages (1300–1500), during which there was a veritable “literary explosion” (Kuhn 1980).

The focus is on scientific and popular theological texts from the 14th and 15th centuries in the interaction between Latin and the vernacular. As part of scholarly discourse, theological texts are generally written in Latin and are produced in both university and monastic contexts. As the non-Latin-writing laity grew in importance and demanded religious participation, theological treatises were translated into the vernacular from the 14th century onwards, and vernacular theological, catechetical, and edifying texts were published for the laity. The conference would like to take a closer look at Latin and vernacular texts, if possible considering the relationship between the original text and its translation, to shed light on the theology/philosophy and aspects of piety that are tangible and to search for appropriate categorizations.

The variety of unexplored aspects gives rise to the following topics and questions:

- Which theological and philosophical topics are addressed in vernacular texts? Are there theological topics that are not found in the vernacular versions, and if so, why? To what extent and how did the vernacular spread in learned theological circles in the late Middle Ages, for example, through the parallel publication of Latin and vernacular texts?

- How do Latin and vernacular versions of texts relate to each other, for instance in sermons and catechesis?

- What is the relationship between Latin and vernacular texts in the devotional and pious literature from the late Middle Ages, e.g., in devotional books or prayer books, legends of saints, and mirror literature? Who receives these texts, and how do Latin and vernacular

texts relate to each other in terms of transmission and reception?

- To what extent do extraliterary factors, such as the the requirements of liturgical use (Stridde 2011), the reform and observance movements of the 15th century, or the development of national consciousness and national languages (Korenjak 2018), play a role in the emergence of vernacular theological texts?

We invite you to examine the relationship between Latin and vernacular texts in theology and piety through comparison, overview, or exemplary case studies. Please submit a contribution for the conference under these questions.

Practical Matters

The organizers welcome paper proposals submitted in German or English. Each paper should last 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of discussion. Please submit your proposal with an abstract of no more than 100 words and a brief bio (including your name, email address, and institutional affiliation, if applicable) by December 1, 2025, to Prof. Dr. Ingo Klitzsch ingo.klitzsch@uni-muenster.de and Prof. Dr. Ulrike Treusch treusch@fth.de

Please note: The conference will take place in person. As is customary with IGTM conferences, travel and accommodation costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Conference papers are planned for publication in one of the two IGTM publication series (Archa Verbi special issue or Archa Verbi–Subsidia).

This call for papers is also available in pdf in English and German. Please also see this document if you’ve never been to Münster before and are wondering how to get there.