Multilingual Challenge for the Construction and Transmission of Scientific Knowledge

Multilingualism is essential for science, as it can open different perspectives and improve the quality of knowledge by highlighting the mediating role of language and optimizing conceptualization, communication, and evaluation. This is relevant to institutional language policies and opens new lines of research.

Format: Hardback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2020
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co

While multilingualism has garnered widespread recognition for its significance in society, culture, and the economy, its importance in the realm of science has largely gone unnoticed. However, it is essential to acknowledge that science, too, is fundamentally shaped by and reliant upon communication. In the contemporary world, the construction and dissemination of knowledge are increasingly dominated by a growing monolingualism, with English being positioned as the lingua academica, considered a prerequisite for the universality of scientific knowledge. This notion, however, is predicated on the illusion that languages are transparent and that communication modes are universal.

In this book, we delve into the transformative power of multilingualism, demonstrating how it can broaden our perspectives and enhance the quality of knowledge by counteracting the marginalization of diverse academic and scientific cultures. Specifically, we showcase how multilingual approaches emphasize the mediating role of language, optimizing conceptualization, communication, and evaluation in the scientific realm. These findings hold immense relevance for institutional language policies and pave the way for groundbreaking research that examines scientific practices themselves as a field of inquiry.

By embracing multilingualism, we can unlock new avenues for understanding and collaboration, fostering a richer and more inclusive scientific community. Let us embark on this journey of exploration, recognizing the immense value of linguistic diversity in advancing knowledge and shaping a brighter future for all.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 166 x 248 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789027207470