Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies

Scope & Guideline

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Southern African Languages

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1607-3614
PublisherTAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2003 to 2024
AbbreviationSO AFR LINGUIST APPL / South. Afr. Linguist. Appl. Lang.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OR14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies' focuses on a diverse range of topics related to linguistics and applied language studies, emphasizing the unique linguistic contexts and challenges within Southern Africa. It aims to contribute to the understanding of language use in social, cultural, educational, and political contexts, providing insights into both theoretical and practical aspects of language.
  1. Applied Linguistics:
    The journal publishes research that applies linguistic theories to real-world contexts, exploring issues such as language education, language policy, and communication strategies in various settings.
  2. Cultural Linguistics:
    A consistent focus on the intersection of language and culture, examining how language reflects and shapes cultural identities, practices, and ideologies.
  3. Multimodal Discourse Analysis:
    Research in this area investigates how different modes of communication (verbal, visual, etc.) work together to create meaning, particularly in contexts such as public health communication and advertising.
  4. Sociolinguistics:
    The journal explores sociolinguistic phenomena, including language attitudes, code-switching, and the impact of language on social dynamics within multilingual communities.
  5. Language Education and Pedagogy:
    A core area of focus is the methodologies and practices in language teaching and learning, with emphasis on both first and additional language instruction.
  6. Translation Studies:
    The journal includes research on translation practices, challenges, and methodologies, particularly in the context of African languages and cultures.
  7. Corpus Linguistics:
    Utilization of corpus-based methods to analyze language patterns, usage, and features across various genres and contexts.
Recent publications indicate a shift towards several emerging themes that reflect contemporary issues in linguistics and applied language studies. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to current linguistic challenges and societal needs.
  1. Health Communication:
    There is a growing interest in the analysis of communication strategies within health contexts, particularly related to public health messaging and the effects of pandemics on language use.
  2. Translanguaging Practices:
    Research on translanguaging as a pedagogical strategy is gaining traction, reflecting the multilingual realities of Southern Africa and the need for inclusive language practices in education.
  3. Digital Communication and Multimodality:
    Emerging themes include the analysis of digital communication and the role of multimodal resources in meaning-making, particularly in educational and marketing contexts.
  4. Identity and Language:
    Studies exploring the relationship between language and identity, particularly in multicultural and multilingual settings, are becoming increasingly prominent.
  5. Cognitive Linguistics and Language Processing:
    Research examining cognitive aspects of language use, such as processing and comprehension, is on the rise, indicating a trend towards understanding language through cognitive frameworks.

Declining or Waning

While the journal maintains a broad and inclusive scope, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence. This shift may reflect changing research interests or the evolving linguistic landscape in Southern Africa.
  1. Traditional Linguistic Structures:
    Research focused on traditional linguistic structures and grammar, while still relevant, seems to be less frequently addressed in favor of more applied and sociocultural approaches.
  2. Historical Linguistics:
    There is a noticeable decrease in studies dedicated to historical linguistics, possibly as the focus shifts towards contemporary language use and its implications.
  3. Prescriptive Language Norms:
    The journal has seen a reduction in papers advocating for prescriptive norms of language use, with an increasing preference for descriptive and critical approaches that recognize linguistic diversity.
  4. Language Testing and Assessment:
    Although important, the theme of language testing and assessment appears to be less emphasized, as the journal moves towards broader discussions of language use and policy.

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