World Englishes

Scope & Guideline

Unveiling the Sociolinguistic Dynamics of English Worldwide

Introduction

Welcome to the World Englishes 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 World Englishes, 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
ISSN0883-2919
PublisherWILEY
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1981 to 2024
AbbreviationWORLD ENGLISH / World Englishes
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'World Englishes' focuses on the diverse and dynamic nature of English as it is used around the globe. It seeks to explore the sociolinguistic and cultural dimensions of English language varieties, emphasizing their unique features and the contexts in which they emerge.
  1. Sociolinguistic Variation:
    The journal investigates the sociolinguistic factors that contribute to the variation in Englishes worldwide, including aspects such as identity, culture, and social networks.
  2. Language and Identity:
    A core focus is on how different English varieties shape and reflect the identities of their speakers, particularly in post-colonial contexts and among diasporic communities.
  3. Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies:
    The journal employs both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to analyze language use, including statistical analyses, corpus linguistics, and ethnographic studies.
  4. Cultural Linguistics:
    It emphasizes the intersection of language and culture, exploring how cultural conceptualizations influence language use and variation in different English contexts.
  5. Educational Implications:
    The journal also addresses the implications of English language variation for education, particularly in terms of English-medium instruction and language policy in diverse educational settings.
The landscape of research in 'World Englishes' is continuously evolving, with several themes gaining traction and reflecting contemporary linguistic and sociocultural dynamics.
  1. Emerging Englishes in Asia:
    There is a growing emphasis on the study of English varieties in Asian contexts, particularly focusing on English-medium instruction in higher education and the interplay between English and local languages.
  2. Translanguaging and Multilingualism:
    Research on translanguaging practices and multilingualism is on the rise, highlighting how speakers navigate multiple languages in their daily interactions and the implications for language identity.
  3. Digital Communication and Social Media:
    The influence of digital communication and social media on language use is increasingly explored, with studies examining how online interactions shape linguistic practices in various Englishes.
  4. Cultural Conceptualizations:
    There is a burgeoning interest in cultural conceptualizations and their impact on language use, particularly in how metaphors and cultural references manifest in different English varieties.
  5. Sociopolitical Contexts:
    Research is increasingly considering the sociopolitical contexts influencing English language use, particularly in relation to issues of power, identity, and resistance in post-colonial settings.

Declining or Waning

As the journal evolves, certain themes appear to be diminishing in prominence, reflecting shifts in research focus and the changing landscape of global Englishes.
  1. Traditional Normative Approaches:
    There is a noticeable decline in studies that focus solely on traditional normative approaches to English, which emphasize standardization and native-speaker norms. The shift towards recognizing the legitimacy of non-standard varieties is evident.
  2. Narrow Geographic Focus:
    Research with a narrow geographic focus, particularly studies that concentrate exclusively on one specific variety of English without considering broader comparative contexts, is becoming less common.
  3. Historical Linguistic Studies:
    The journal has seen fewer publications that focus on historical linguistics of English varieties, as contemporary sociolinguistic issues and the dynamics of language change take precedence.

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