Deadline: A ugust 30, 2023 : Proposal Submission Deadline September 15, 2023 : Notification of Acceptance December 30, 2023 : Full Chapter Submission February 30, 2024 : Review Results Returned Mach 15, 2024 : Final Acceptance Notification April 30, 2024 : Final Chapter Submission
Contact: Mohamed Mliless , Independent Researcher, Morocco Mohamed Larouz , Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Meknes, Morocco David Stringer , Indiana University Bloomington, USA Diego L. Forte, Buenos Aires University, Argentina George M. Jacobs , Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Meng Huat Chau , Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Email: m.mliless@edu.ummi
NTRODUCTION
“Ecolinguistics: Voices from the Global South” is a ground-breaking collection of articles that delves into the various interests and fields of research associated with ecolinguistics. This book, written by top researchers in the subject, provides a unique viewpoint on how language and ecology meet in the Global South. This book is a crucial resource for anybody interested in the connection between applied linguistics and the natural environment, from questions of decolonization and the promotion of Southern epistemologies to the practical applications of ecolinguistic research. It is worth noting that ecolinguistics is an enthralling branch ofresearch that is currently expanding in terms of purview and influence.
This entails investigating a wide range of themes and interactions in the setting of the Global South, from the function of language in forming our knowledge of the natural world to the influence of colonialism and globalization on language and ecology.
OBJECTIVES
Language has a significant impact on our perceptions and knowledge of the world around us. This observation underlies investigations of how language affects our attitudes and actions toward the natural world in the framework of ecolinguistics. The metaphors and narratives we use to communicate about nature, for example, may have a big influence on how we view and interact with it. The “Ecolinguistics Voices from the Global South” book project will strive to present important theoretical frameworks as well as the most recent empirical research findings in the field of ecolinguistics. It will investigate how language and discourse impact our understanding of the ecological catastrophe and its link to many domains of existence, with a focus on voices from the Global South. The book is intended for professionals who wish to gain a broader knowledge of how language plays a strategic role in tackling ecological concerns at various societal levels.
RECOMMENDED TOPICS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
The Anthropocene, a proposed geological era defined by the enormous influence of human activity on the earth’s ecosystems, provides a rich and topical topic for research in the discipline of ecolinguistics. Researchers can have useful insights into how language shapes our knowledge of and reactions to environmental concerns by investigating how human language and discourse modulate our engagement with the natural world in the setting of the Anthropocene. Analyses of environmental communication to understand how language is used to frame and address concerns such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion might be potential areas of study for this volume. Other relevant themes include investigating the function of language policy and planning in fostering Anthropocene-era sustainable development. Overall, researching ecolinguistics in regard to the Anthropocene allows us to better understand how language impacts our interaction with the environment during this vital phase of human history.
In regard to Anthropocene activities, the word Capitalocene has been coined to counter the notion that human activity as a whole is to blame for the current ecological disaster. Rather, it implies that the advent of capitalism as a system of power, profit, and re/production in the web of life is a critical aspect. Ecolinguistics, an interdisciplinary field that explores the interaction between language and ecology, may shed light on ties between the Capitalocene and ecolinguistics through voices speaking directly from the Global South. Such studies might look at how language and discourse impact our understanding of the ecological catastrophe and its link to capitalism.
At the same time, colonialism and globalization have had a major influence on the Global South’s languages and ecosystems. The imposition of colonial languages and cultural practices has frequently resulted in the suppression of Indigenous languages and knowledge systems, which has had harmful environmental implications. At the same time, globalization has resulted in increasing economic growth and resource exploitation, both of which have had detrimental consequences for local ecosystems.
In response to these issues, there is a rising interest in promoting Southern epistemologies and theoretical perspectives from the Global South. This entails acknowledging and appreciating the various ways of knowing that exist in the Global South, as well as incorporating these views into academic research and conversation. This might include investigating how local languages and knowledge systems can help our understanding of ecological and environmental challenges in the framework of ecolinguistics.
Ecolinguistics is similarly related to social/applied linguistics, which studies language in its social environment. This involves investigating how language is utilized in various social circumstances, as well as how it differs between groups and cultures. This might include investigating how language is used to communicate environmental challenges, as well as how various groups utilize language to connect with their local ecosystems.
An ecolinguistic study has the potential to have significant practical benefits in tackling environmental concerns in the Global South. Ecolinguistic research, for example, can assist in identifying successful methods to the communication of environmental concerns or in developing instructional materials that encourage environmental consciousness. Furthermore, ecolinguistic studies can help to establish policies and initiatives that promote sustainable development.
Language has the potential to play a significant role in achieving environmental justice and sustainability. This can include utilizing language to enhance environmental awareness or to advocate for legislation that promotes sustainable development. Furthermore, language may be utilized to empower underprivileged people to participate in environmental decision-making processes.
Discourse analysis is an insightful method for investigating how people communicate about environmental concerns using language. Researchers can acquire insights into how different actors frame and comprehend environmental issues by evaluating the language used in various kinds of environmental communication, such as media stories, policy papers, and public debates. This can aid in the identification of points of agreement and disagreement, as well as possible impediments to good communication and collaboration.
Positive Discourse Analysis can assist ecolinguists in their quest for ‘new tales to live by’—ways of speaking and writing that inspire people to safeguard the ecosystems on which life depends. We hope that chapter in this volume may give voice to previously ignored traditional ecosophies, moving nature literature, and alternative economic discourses.
Language policy and language planning can play a significant role in promoting long-term development. This includes creating laws and initiatives that encourage the use of local languages and knowledge systems in environmental decision-making. Furthermore, language policy and planning can help to produce educational materials and programs that encourage environmental awareness and sustainable behaviors.
Language ecology relies heavily on multilingualism. Different languages frequently coexist and interact in complicated ways in multilingual cultures. Understanding these interactions can provide valuable insights into the relationship between language and the environment. Multilingualism has been proven in studies to facilitate the transmission of traditional ecological knowledge, which can play an essential role in supporting sustainable practices.
There is an increasing corpus of studies indicating a relationship between linguistic diversity and biodiversity. Many locations of the world have significant correlations between biological species richness and a multiplicity of distinct human languages. However, both linguistic diversity and biodiversity are threatened by a variety of reasons such as habitat degradation, climate change, and globalization. Studies of the links between language endangerment and biodiversity loss can aid in the development of conservation measures for both linguistic and ecological diversity.
Interestingly, this project can serve as a real opportunity to include Indigenous voices in ecolinguistics. Incorporating indigenous perspectives and insights into the interaction between language and the environment can give useful perspectives and insights. To provide a more thorough and varied knowledge of the issues, this book project on ecolinguistics seeks to include Indigenous voices and viewpoints.
In summary, ecolinguistics is a broad and varied field of research that investigates the numerous ways in which language and ecology connect in the Global South. Ecolinguistics gives unique insights into our relationship with the natural world, ranging from concerns of colonialism and Southern epistemologies to practical applications in tackling environmental challenges.
Posted on June 16, 2023
