Article published In: Journal of English for Research Publication Purposes
Vol. 2:2 (2021) ► pp.160–171
Perspective
Linguistic injustice in academic publishing in English
Limitations and ways forward in the debate
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.
For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.
Open Access publication of this article was funded through a Transformative Agreement with Stockholm University.
Published online: 10 January 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/jerpp.21002.sol
https://doi.org/10.1075/jerpp.21002.sol
Abstract
In recent years, an intense debate in English for research publication purposes (ERPP) has developed around the question of whether linguistic injustice exists or not in academic publishing in English. In this Perspectives piece, I wish to engage in this debate by first situating the terms in which it is being developed, and then pointing out some of its limitations. In doing that, I argue that the view of language that is currently held in the debate seems problematic, and that a more explicit attention to the socially stratified nature of academic publishing seems missing from the debate. Suggesting potential ways forward, I propose that it seems crucial to adopt a view of language that anchors it more firmly as a social phenomenon, inherently connected to its speakers and the socially situated and stratified position that they inhabit. Remembering this is important in order to remain aware of the fact that both linguistic and non-linguistic factors are at play in shaping the uneven nature of academic publishing in English.
Resumen
Injustícia lingüística en anglès per a publicacions acadèmiques: Límits i passos endavant en el debat
En els darrers anys, hi ha hagut un debat intens en el camp de l’anglès per a publicacions acadèmiques en relació amb l’existència o no d’injustícia lingüística a l’hora de publicar en anglès. En aquesta nota de la secció Perspectives, miro d’entrar en aquest debat, primerament, situant-ne els termes en què es desenvolupa, i després assenyalant-ne alguns límits. L’argument que desenvolupo és que el concepte de llengua que es manté en el debat sembla problemàtic i que una atenció més explícita a l’estratificació social del camp de les publicacions acadèmiques sembla absent en el debat. Suggerint passos endavant, proposo que sembla crucial adoptar una visió de llengua que estigui fermament emmarcada com a fenomen social, inherentment connectada als parlants i a les posicions socialment estratificades que habiten. Recordar això és important per continuar estant atents al fet que tant factors lingüístics com factors no-lingüístics juguen un paper a l’hora de donar forma a la naturalesa desigual de l’anglès per a publicacions acadèmiques.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.No language-based injustices in academic publishing in English?
- 3.Limitations of the debate and possible ways forward
- 4.Concluding remarks
- Acknowledgements
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