LANGUAGE IN SOCIETY

Scope & Guideline

Navigating the Intersection of Language and Society

Introduction

Welcome to the LANGUAGE IN SOCIETY information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of LANGUAGE IN SOCIETY, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0047-4045
PublisherCAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1972 to 2024
AbbreviationLANG SOC / Lang. Soc.
Frequency5 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressEDINBURGH BLDG, SHAFTESBURY RD, CB2 8RU CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Language in Society' focuses on the intricate relationship between language and social dynamics. It explores how language both reflects and shapes social identities, ideologies, and power structures across diverse contexts. The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, incorporating methodologies from linguistics, sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies.
  1. Sociolinguistic Variation:
    The journal extensively covers the study of how language varies and changes in different social contexts, examining factors such as ethnicity, class, gender, and age.
  2. Language and Identity:
    A core area of focus is the exploration of how language constructs and conveys identity, including studies on ethnic, cultural, and gender identities.
  3. Language Policy and Politics:
    The journal frequently addresses the implications of language policies and their socio-political contexts, including issues of language rights, multilingualism, and language education.
  4. Discourse Analysis:
    It employs discourse analysis to investigate how language is used in various social interactions, including media, politics, and everyday communication.
  5. Cultural and Social Dynamics:
    The journal explores the interplay between language and broader cultural and social phenomena, such as globalization, migration, and digital communication.
  6. Critical Perspectives:
    There is a strong emphasis on critical approaches to language, examining power relations, ideologies, and issues of inequality and social justice.
Recent publications in 'Language in Society' reflect emerging themes and trends that are capturing the interest of researchers. These themes highlight the evolving landscape of sociolinguistic studies, particularly in relation to contemporary social issues and technological advancements.
  1. Translanguaging Practices:
    There is a growing interest in translanguaging as a framework for understanding multilingual practices, particularly in educational and community contexts, emphasizing fluid language use.
  2. Digital Discourse and Communication:
    The impact of digital communication on language use and social interaction has gained prominence, with increasing studies on social media, online discourse, and digital identity.
  3. Raciolinguistic Perspectives:
    Emerging research is focusing on the intersections of race and language, exploring how raciolinguistic ideologies shape social interactions and identity construction.
  4. Language and Mental Health:
    The exploration of language in therapeutic contexts, particularly in relation to mental health and identity, is becoming a significant area of inquiry.
  5. Globalization and Language Change:
    Research is increasingly examining how globalization influences language practices, identity, and social dynamics, particularly in urban and migrant contexts.
  6. Climate Change and Language:
    New studies are beginning to address the relationship between language, discourse, and environmental issues, reflecting the growing importance of climate change in sociolinguistic research.

Declining or Waning

While 'Language in Society' has maintained a robust focus on various themes, certain areas of research appear to be declining in prominence over recent years. This may reflect broader trends in sociolinguistic research and shifting interests within the academic community.
  1. Traditional Dialect Studies:
    Research focused on traditional regional dialects has seen a decline, possibly as newer methodologies and interests in urban multilingualism and globalization take precedence.
  2. Static Language Policies:
    There is less emphasis on prescriptive language policies and more on dynamic, context-sensitive approaches to language use and policy, indicating a shift away from rigid frameworks.
  3. Historical Linguistics:
    The journal has published fewer studies centered on historical linguistics, suggesting a waning interest in diachronic analysis in favor of synchronic, contemporary sociolinguistic phenomena.
  4. Language Acquisition Models:
    The focus on traditional models of language acquisition has diminished, possibly due to the emerging focus on social interaction and the role of context in language learning.
  5. Single-Language Studies:
    There appears to be a reduced emphasis on studies that focus solely on single languages, as interdisciplinary and multilingual approaches gain traction.

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