Old-World Conference in Phonology (OCP23)

The 23rd Old-World Conference in Phonology (OCP23) took place at Gonville & Caius College in Cambridge (United Kingdom) from 14 January to 16 January 2026. Submissions reflecting various perspectives on phonology, including but not limited to formal, typological, and laboratory approaches, were accepted for review. Abstracts based on first-hand empirical data, especially field data on lesser-resourced languages, were particularly encouraged.

The programme is available here and the book of abstracts is published here.

Invited speakers

Patrycja Strycharczuk (University of Manchester). Gestural representation of vowels  - towards a typology

In this talk, I discuss the phonological representation of vowels, focusing on the connection between phonetics, phonological structure and sound change. The first part of the talk describes a model of vowel representation proposed by Strycharczuk, Kirkham, Gorman and Takamine (2024) for Anglo-English. The essence of the proposal is that long monophthongs and diphthongs share the same phonological representation, which involves two distinct gestural targets in each case. Effectively then, English long monophthongs are pseudo-diphthongs. I then consider the expected properties of true long monophthongs, represented as a single long gesture. I argue that different phonetic properties and different phonological behaviour are expected from true monophthongs and pseudo diphthongs, which is amplified in sound change, giving rise to different historical pathways affecting whole vowel systems. I then discuss possible phonetic diagnostics to distinguish the different representations from the synchronic point of view.

Pavel Iosad (University of Edinburgh). The House that Jakobson Built: Slavic phonology, generative phonology, and roads (not) taken

The history of generative phonology is usually told as a more or less uninterrupted line that begins in Prague, moves to Massachusetts with Roman Jakobson and, by way of Morris Halle’s Sound Pattern of Russian, leads to SPE. But histories do not work that way: there are always forks in the road and paths not taken. The importance of Slavic languages in the history of phonology is often recognized; in this talk, I explore how developments in the analysis of Slavic phonologies hold up a mirror to the generative mainstream, which, I argue, should be considered just one of a family of approaches that took their lead from Jakobsonian ideas. Slavic phonologists rejected some aspects of the generative phonological enterprise, but their proposals could also prefigure what was to be rediscovered by generativists, often decades later. I argue that this demonstrates that these currents in Slavic phonology must be considered equal members of the same broad tradition as mainstream generative theory.

History of the Conference

The Old-World Conference in Phonology (OCP) was founded in 2003 by the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics and the Meertens Institute. Initially inspired by a series of HIL-Phonology (HILP) conferences held in Leiden, Amsterdam, and Potsdam, OCP has grown into a prominent annual event that attracts both junior and senior researchers from around the globe. Over the years, OCP has been hosted in various cities across Europe (most recently in Amsterdam), including Warsaw, Verona, London, Düsseldorf, Budapest, Barcelona, Leiden, Istanbul, Berlin, Marrakech, Nice, Edinburgh, Toulouse, Rhodes, Budapest, Tromsø, Leiden, Eivissa, Donostia/San Sebastian, and Tours. Each conference features a diverse range of presentations covering both experimental and theoretical aspects of phonology.

Key dates

14 April 2025: submissions open

30 (extended) June 2025: submissions closed

Late August 2025: accepted submissions' authors notified (check this page for review outcomes)

13 January 2026: satellite workshop on the Role of Representation in Computational Phonology

14–16 January 2026: conference takes place in Cambridge

Important information (Q&A)

  • Is it possible to participate in the Conference online?
    The information about streaming will be published soon.
  • What are the accepted poster formats?
    We hope to be able to mount A0 (portrait) and A1 (landscape) posters. The posters can be printed on both paper and fabric.
  • How long should the talks be?
    Due to the large number of accepted presentations, each regular talk should be no longer than 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions.
  • What is the conference/workshop dress code?
    Smart casual.
  • What is the conference dinner dress code?
    We encourage attendees to wear formal attire, as it is the College’s tradition for formal dinners. However, we understand that many participants may have limited luggage, so smart casual is perfectly acceptable. For those who feel comfortable wearing black tie, it is welcome—but please do not feel obliged if it causes any inconvenience.
  • What is the main venue of the Conference?
    Gonville & Caius, founded in 1348, is one of the oldest colleges of the University of Cambridge. The main conference will take place in the Old Courts, conveniently located right in the city centre. We hope that such an environment will not only facilitate phonology-related discussions but also provide the ultimate Cambridge experience.
  • Are any social events planned?
    We are planning to host a drinks & canapé reception and a conference dinner in the Gonville & Caius dining hall. While the list may be extended with other events, we are sure that you will enjoy your stay in Cambridge.

If you have a different question, please contact Yury Makarov (im562@cam.ac.uk).

Accommodation options

Most Cambridge colleges run their own bed and breakfast (B&B) services, which are often the best option for visitors due to their reasonable prices and convenient central locations.

Although winter is generally less busy than summer and the conference takes place outside of term time, we recommend booking early to ensure availability.

Nearby Colleges

Below is a list of colleges located close to Gonville and Caius College, where the conference will be held. Please note that availability shown on college websites is not always accurate. We suggest contacting the accommodation offices directly to enquire about availability or visiting UniversityRooms.com.

  • King’s College
  • Gonville and Caius College
  • Clare College
  • Clare Hall
  • Trinity Hall
  • Jesus College
  • Christ’s College
  • Sidney Sussex College

Hotels and Guesthouses

There are several hotels within a short walking distance of the college. Prices may vary depending on the booking platform, so it is worth comparing options.

Nearby hotels include:

For more affordable accommodation, particularly near the train station or city centre, consider:

You can explore further options on websites such as UniversityRooms.com or Booking.com, where you can filter by proximity to Gonville and Caius College (Trinity St.).

If you have any questions or require assistance with accommodation arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact the conference organisers.

Where to eat

Cambridge city centre offers a wide range of cafés, restaurants, and pubs, most within a short walk of Gonville & Caius College. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch between sessions or a relaxed dinner with colleagues, there are plenty of options to suit different tastes and budgets.

Lunch options (casual and quick)

  • Fitzbillies (King’s Parade, Trumpington Street, or Bridge Street): Famous for its Chelsea buns, Fitzbillies also serves soups, sandwiches, and hearty lunches.
  • Yori BBQ Cambridge (Green Street) & Hong Kong Fusion (St Johns Street): Good Korean & Hong Kongese-inspired food.
  • Bould Brothers Coffee (Round Church Street): A popular independent café known for its outstanding coffee and pastries.
  • Aromi (Bene’t Street): Authentic Sicilian pizzas and focaccia.
  • Bread & Meat (Bene’t Street): Great artisan sandwiches & bowls. Vegetable option available (though meats are really the focus). 
  • GAIL’s Bakery (Market Hill): An artisan bakery offering freshly baked bread, pastries, sandwiches, and high-quality coffee.
  • Jack's Gelato (All Saints Passage): Great artisan ice cream. 

For those who prefer something light or quick, nearby stores include Sainsbury’s Local (Sidney Street), Tesco Express (Market Street), and M&S Food Hall (Market Square). The Cambridge Market Square also offers a variety of affordable lunch options from local vendors.

Dinner options (mid-range and formal)

  • The Eagle (Bene’t Street): A historic pub where Watson and Crick announced the discovery of DNA; serves traditional British pub food in a lively atmosphere.
  • Dishoom Cambridge (Wheeler Street): A vibrant Bombay-style café offering Indian small plates and signature dishes in a beautiful setting—great for group dining.
  • Trinity Restaurant (Trinity Street): Known for handcrafted pies and classic British dishes; ideal for a relaxed evening meal in elegant surroundings. Reservations recommended.
  • The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie (Trinity Street): Stylish dining with modern British and international dishes.
  • The Cambridge Chop House (King’s Parade): Modern British cuisine with views of King’s College Chapel.

All of the above are within a 5–10 minute walk from Gonville & Caius College.

Where to go & What to do in Cambridge

Cambridge offers plenty to explore beyond the conference. Below are some ideas:

Museums & Galleries

  • Fitzwilliam Museum – World-class art and antiquities (free entry).
  • University Museum of Zoology – Diversity of animal life (free entry).
  • Museum of Cambridge – Local history and culture.
  • Kettle’s Yard – Modern art in a unique home setting.

Walking & Outdoor

  • The Backs & River Cam – Scenic college views; perfect for a winter stroll.
  • Cambridge University Botanic Garden – Peaceful gardens and seasonal displays (closed during bad weather; for non-members of the University there is a small admission fee–but it's worth it).
  • Punting – There are plenty of options for hiring a punt (a small boat) for exploring the city from the river. 

Evening entertainment

  • Comedy & Live music – Check venues like Cambridge Junction, Corn Exchange, and local pubs for gigs and shows.

It is absolutely worth going on a bar hop around the city. If you have a friend from the University, ask them to show you around the Colleges and college bars.