Acknowledgments

An enterprise such as the edition of a volume is no simple task – however, the confusing and worrying period from 2020-2021 has made such a task all the more challenging. More than ever, it showed us what human generosity and professional dedication can overcome. To all of you who made this publication possible, we want to present our heartfelt thanks.

The editors of this series would first like to thank one another: such a volume cannot be undertaken alone, and at many times during the process we were thankful to have been able to count on one another to stay focused and carry on.

We also want to thank all the authors who signed up to write a chapter. Even with the already difficult task of submitting a piece of work when you all, undoubtedly, had many other commitments (courses to teach remotely, conferences to present online, etc.), the stresses brought on us by the Covid-19 pandemic made this project all the more memorable, and perhaps, important as we all endeavored to contribute to the story of human belonging and togetherness, through accent in context, while living in a world where we are forced to isolate from our many communities.

We would also like to thank Anita Fetzer, editor of the Pragmatics & Beyond New Series, for all her patience and understanding during these difficult times. Her support has certainly helped lead us to this finishing point.

Our acknowledgment also goes to the two anonymous reviewers of this collection, who carefully read the manuscripts and provided us with insightful suggestions and comments.

Last but not least, we want to thank those closest to our hearts, grandparents, parents, husbands and son – we take this opportunity to tell you how much your unconditional love means to us.