English language spread in academia Macro-level state policies and micro-level practices of scholarly publishing in Turkey

Uysal H. H.

LANGUAGE PROBLEMS & LANGUAGE PLANNING, vol.38, no.3, pp.265-291, 2014 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 38 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1075/lplp.38.3.03uys
  • Journal Name: LANGUAGE PROBLEMS & LANGUAGE PLANNING
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.265-291
  • Keywords: English spread, Turkish language policy, scholarly publication, diffusion and ecology paradigms, Turkish scholars, English as a lingua franca (ELF), WORLD ENGLISHES
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This article first historically examines the macro-level Turkish state policies with regard to scholarly publishing within the framework of the English language spread paradigms of diffusion-of-English and language-ecology. Then, the effects of these policies at the micro-level are investigated in two major Turkish universities through a survey of scholars' perceptions and practices of scientific publishing in English. The results reveal a rapid spread of English in academia as the language of scientific publishing consistently encouraged by the state policies and somewhat by academics which may lead to a gradual 'domain loss' for Turkish; however, reactions against English dominance are also evident in various forms in language planning, attitudes, and practices. Thus, language spread and ecology seem to co-exist in some interesting and contradictory ways.