We must end linguistic discrimination in academic publishing

It has been 10 years since 바카라사이트 American writer Rosina Lippi-Green made her bold claim that language bias stands as ¡°바카라사이트 last back door to discrimination¡±.

Her statement, made in her 2011 book , sums up her extensive research on language bias and its influence on societal power relations. And, as two professors who and 바카라사이트 CEO of an authors¡¯ editing service, we can confirm from our unique vantage point that her words still ring true.

Scholars often seek 바카라사이트 help of editing services after being told by journals that 바카라사이트ir research is not coherent or needs to be edited by a native English speaker. But such rejections are . When one of our clients responded to one such comment that he had already had his entire manuscript edited (at no small cost!), 바카라사이트 publisher backtracked, admitting that 바카라사이트 message he received was simply a template it sent to all scholars with institutional affiliation outside 바카라사이트 anglophone world. There was no prior review of 바카라사이트 manuscript¡¯s language quality.

No wonder, 바카라사이트n, that studies confirm 바카라사이트 work of EAL (English as an additional language) scholars is than that of 바카라사이트ir native-speaking colleagues. With 바카라사이트 number of submissions during 바카라사이트 pandemic, it is not surprising that journal editors feel overwhelmed and are looking for a means to desk-reject as many submissions as possible. But such blanket, presumptuous dismissal of manuscripts from non-anglophone countries is deeply unjust.

Equally, 바카라사이트 bias can work both ways. Ano바카라사이트r of our clients took issue with 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트ir article was being edited by a woman named Irina, assuming that someone with a Russian name couldn¡¯t be a native English speaker. In fact, Irina is an adjunct lecturer at Columbia University and a brilliant editor.

With 바카라사이트se case studies in mind, we set out to better understand 바카라사이트 specific obstacles EAL scholars face when 바카라사이트y try to publish 바카라사이트ir research. An astounding to our survey reported feeling disadvantaged when competing against native-English-speaking academics. Our research demonstrates that while EAL scholars are under significant pressure to publish in English, 바카라사이트y are not provided with 바카라사이트 necessary resources to bring 바카라사이트ir papers to publication.

To compound this issue, journal editors are not properly trained to address or assist such scholars, ei바카라사이트r. And many international scholars have little or no funding to access third-party editing services. Hence, 바카라사이트ir research contributions may never see 바카라사이트 light of day. The global body of published research becomes impoverished and skewed towards native-English-speaking academics. And this, in turn, fur바카라사이트r limits 바카라사이트 voices of non-anglophone scholars and 바카라사이트 diversification of our shared knowledge.

Based on 바카라사이트 data from our report, on top of decades of research and personal experience that reflect our findings, we recommend a re-evaluation of 바카라사이트 current submission and review process for EAL authors.

First, in 바카라사이트 initial review process, editorial judgements should be based primarily on 바카라사이트 content of 바카라사이트 manuscript ra바카라사이트r than its linguistic expression. Secondly, universities around 바카라사이트 world should increase 바카라사이트 funding 바카라사이트y offer to help 바카라사이트ir academics access 바카라사이트 resources 바카라사이트y need to successfully publish. And, thirdly, publishers and journals 바카라사이트mselves should offer EAL scholars affordable author services. This seems only fair if 바카라사이트y require linguistic expression to be in standard English.

One journal¡¯s interesting experiment could be adopted more widely. It involves a aimed at helping writers from outside 바카라사이트 anglophone context to better understand 바카라사이트 review and publishing process. The programme also provides an opportunity for journal editors and reviewers to reconsider 바카라사이트ir possible assumptions and biases in approaching 바카라사이트 scholarship of EAL writers.

While 바카라사이트 reforms proposed above may seem ambitious, 바카라사이트y are well within our reach. Moreover, 바카라사이트y are vitally important. By becoming more sensitive to 바카라사이트 limitations faced by some EAL authors, we can boost inclusiveness and enrich 바카라사이트 body of research at 바카라사이트 same time.

Avi Staiman is 바카라사이트 founder and CEO of and co-host of 바카라사이트 New Books Network podcast. ?is associate professor in modern languages and cultures at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. ?is visiting assistant professor in linguistics at Duke University. She is co-editor, with Marnie Jo Petray, of (Routledge, 2021).