This site has been established as a unified hub for coordinating and documenting the annual meetings of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (SEALS). We are under construction so content links back to the current JSEALS Google Site.
About SEALS
SEALS was established in 1991 as an annual forum for students, researchers, and scholars dedicated to the linguistics of Southeast Asian languages. The conference focuses on linguistic inquiry—distinct from cultural, anthropological, or pedagogical concerns—and highlights lesser-studied languages across the region. These include members of the Austroasiatic, Austronesian, Hmong-Mien, Tibeto-Burman, and Tai-Kadai families, with particular attention given to minority and endangered languages rather than dominant national tongues. The 2025 meeting was held at the Platinum Hotel, Jimbaran Beach, Bali (June 11-13).
The inaugural SEALS meeting was held at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Over the following decades, meetings were held across various cities in the United States and Asia, typically hosted by universities. The organizational structure was informal and collaborative—individuals volunteered to coordinate events, and institutions generously provided venues and modest funding.
As SEALS matured, its character shifted. Today, conferences are primarily held in Asia and feature predominantly Asian participation. The format has evolved into a hybrid model, combining onsite and online attendance, and typically draws 80 to 120 participants over three days. Most presentations are recorded and made publicly accessible online. Competition for program inclusion is keen, with abstracts evaluated on merit. Student involvement is strong, and SEALS plays a vital role in fostering academic community, encouraging intellectual exploration, and supporting research publication.
Today SEALS is a mosaic overseen by an Executive Committee of volunteers experienced with hosting SEALS meetings:
Annual meetings: a 3 day event held between mid-May and early June each year.
Journal of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (JSEALS): a peer reviewed and indexed international journal published by the University of Hawaii Press.
Special Publications: select papers from conferences or other special research agendas, as well as a way for linguistic researchers to publish monograph-length works.
The Southeast Asian Linguistics Society is registered in Hawaii as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for the purposes of receiving and managing funds.
SEALS is an international network; it has no formal membership or organisational alignment and relies entirely on the goodwill of supporters. Policies and practices are discussed and accepted by consensus at the annual Business Meetings.
Contacts
SEALS Executive <seals.executive@gmail.com>, Publications Officer <sealsandjseals@gmail.com>