Language and Intercultural Communication

Language & Intercultural Communication promotes an interdisciplinary understanding of the interplay between language and intercultural communication. It therefore welcomes research into intercultural communication, particularly where it explores the importance of linguistic aspects; and research into language, especially the learning of foreign languages, where it explores the importance of intercultural perspectives. The journal is alert to the implications for education, especially higher education, and for language learning and teaching. It is also receptive to research on the frontiers between languages and cultures, and on the implications of linguistic and intercultural issues for the world of work.

The journal seeks to advance a perception of the intercultural dimension of language within a complex and pluralist view of the world. To this end, it seeks always to resist reductive and hegemonic interpretations, and is stimulated by contemporary, critical perspectives in understanding cultural practices and intercultural relationships. Its aspiration to promote an understanding of the position and politics of language(s) in intercultural communication is conceived as a contribution to personal development and to interpersonal understanding, dialogue and co-operation. The journal also seeks to make an effective contribution to disseminating new ideas and examples of good practice in educating students in language and intercultural communication.

Is LAIC the right journal for your paper?

In order to ensure that LAIC is the right journal for you, please read the following specifications thoroughly and thoughtfully before sending us your paper.

1.1 Focus

Language and Intercultural Communication (LAIC) is an interdisciplinary journal which draws on several disciplines within the social and human sciences. These include modern languages, applied linguistics, education, anthropology, (social) psychology, sociology, religion, philosophy, cultural studies, media studies, drama and visual arts. We consider papers which focus on the relationship between these disciplinesand intercultural communication, i.e., all papers submitted to LAIC should be about intercultural communication.

LAIC focuses on the language and communication which takes placebetween people of different cultural groups. Papers published in LAIC normally consider aspects of the relationship between the following elements:

• Culture and interculturality: While the nation state is often regarded as the principal type of cultural grouping, we consider this only one among many cultural and social groupings. The notion of ‘interculturality’ as the process of ‘being intercultural’ is often preferred to avoid the reification which can be implied by the concept of ‘culture’.
• Language and communication: LAIC is neither a linguistics nor a translation journal. Analysis of language and communication in empirical papers published in LAIC normally takes place at the level of discourse. While this can include the analysis of spoken and written language, it also includes the analysis of other forms of (visual) communication.

1.2 Article types

We publish research articles which may be empirical or theoretical. We also publish solicited book reviews and commentaries.

Research articles. The length of the first draft of a research article should not exceed 8,000 words, including footnotes, references and all data, with two abstracts of up to 100 words each and up to 5 key words. The second abstract should be in a language other than English. Most papers published in LAIC are empirical studies, but we also welcome well-argued theoretical papers. We encourage authors to read previously published papers in LAIC to see how they have been written.

Book reviews. We do not accept unsolicited book reviews. Book reviews should be around 1,000 words and reviewed by one author only. As well as giving readers a sense of the contents of the book, reviews should also include a critical commentary. To write a book review, please contact our book reviews editor Vivien Zhou ([email protected]).

Commentaries. Readers might want to respond to a paper published in the journal, or comment on an issue of importance in the field. Commentaries should be 1,000-2,000 words and avoiding any polemical or defamatory language.

1.3 Empirical papers

Empirical papers published in LAIC include the usual elements: introduction and research focus, literature review and theoretical framework, findings and discussion (either integrated or sequentially). Most of the papers we publish engage with qualitative data, but we will also consider the use of mixed methods and quantitative research.

• Introduction and research focus. Your paper should have an introduction setting out its background, context and rationale. The aim of the study should be stated clearly.
• Literature review and theoretical framework. Your paper should have a critical review of the relevant literature, including previous studies which have explored the phenomenon under investigation.
• Methodology. Where human language data is analysed, the study should set out the demographic details of the participants, and informed consent should be gained and briefly explained. Where a corpus of written texts is used, the source(s), size and time period of the data collection should be stated.
• It should be made clear what the original language(s) of the data was. Extracts used to support the findings should be translated into English.

Findings. Qualitative data will normally be set out as quotations of text or talk. Quantitative data will be set out as tables. Each extract from talk or text (or table) must be interpreted in the text, i.e., what the participants are saying, and how they are saying it, must be highlighted in relation to the argument in the paper.

Discussion. One of the aims of LAIC is to make theoretical advances to the field based on novel empirical insights. Papers should discuss their findings either by relating them critically to the literature review, or by relating them to the theoretical framework. A simple summary of the findings is insufficient.

1.4 Quality of papers

In keeping with the aims and scope of LAIC, all articles should be original, critical and accessible.

Original. Papers should make an original contribution to the field of intercultural communication. While addressing an under-researched context is valuable, this is insufficient to constitute an original contribution. Original contributions should develop novel theoretical conceptualisation, or derive new insights into the interpretation of data.

Critical. LAIC seeks to advance a perception of the intercultural dimension of language within a complex and pluralistic view of the world. Critical perspectives in understanding cultural practices and intercultural relationships are essential. LAIC seeks to improve the relations between people on both a personal and political level, and to reveal hidden communicative practices which are oppressive or exploitative. The journal also seeks to disseminate new examples of good practice in educating students in language and intercultural communication.

Accessible. Papers published in LAIC should be accessible and enjoyable to read as well as informative. Please read some of LAIC’s highly cited published papers to get a sense of our preferred writing practice, and check that your paper conforms to the journal’s style sheet before you submit it.

1.5 Does your paper fit a journal in critical intercultural communication?

While we welcome papers which explore the interface between the areas below and intercultural communication, papers which solely address the following subject areas should be submitted elsewhere.

• Papers that focus on translation rather than on the interculturality of translation;
• Papers which draw exclusively upon psychological approaches to intercultural communication;
• Papers in linguistics which analyse single words, clauses or sentence structures;
• Papers that focus solely on English Language Teaching or English for Academic Purposes;
• Papers that focus on literature or an artistic genre.

Refereeing procedures

Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis and published in accordance with editorial priorities for themed or special conference issues. All papers are anonymously reviewed by a minimum of two experts.

Authors can choose to publish gold open access in this journal.

Read the Instructions for Authors for information on how to submit your article.