Universities, Their Responsibilities, and the Matter Of Language. On Supplementary-Language Summaries in Internationalizing Academia

Abstract

The dominance of English in scientific production raises issues in relation to certain responsibilities of Swedish universities, linked to the dissemination of knowledge and the development of the Swedish language. In light of this, the article deals with Swedish-language summaries (SLSs) in English-language doctoral theses. It treats the SLS as an instrument of language regimentation, deliberately aimed at limiting the near-total dominance of English. Drawing on language policy documents , along with scholarly accounts and interview data, the article discusses the SLS as conceived by advocates in language policy and planning, university policy-makers, and active researchers. It is shown that the SLS is aimed at counteracting negative effects pertaining to knowledge outreach as well as register formation. I argue that there is a contradiction between these two aims: on the one hand, an SLS that is simple enough to bridge the gap between science and society is not likely to contribute to the expansion of advanced registers of Swedish; on the other hand, an SLS that takes seriously the task of expanding Swedish registers will be unintelligible for the wider audience. Yet, it may still serve as a reminder that languages other than English are worthy of consideration and use.

Keywords:

• Swedish-language summaries
• supplementary-language summaries
• language planning and policy
• university language policy
• regimentation
• register
• outreach

Note

Acknowledgments

This article was produced within the knowledge platform ‘Making Universities Matter: A Knowledge Platform on the Role of Universities in Society’ with the support of Vinnova, Sweden (2015-04473). I thank the reviewers and the following colleagues for providing valuable comments: Niina Hynninen, Ola Karlsson, Susanna Karlsson, Linnea Hanell, David Karlander, Olle Josephson, Mats Benner, Sverker Sörlin, Ben Rampton, and Lamont Antieau. All shortcomings are my own.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. he following HEIs were identified as having language policies demanding SLSs: Chalmers, Konstfack, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm School of Economics, Swedishhttp://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/style/reference/tf_ChicagoAD.pdf University of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, University West, and Halmstad, Karlstad, Linnaeus, Lund, Malmö, Stockholm, Södertörn, and Umeå universities. The two faculties with SLS policies are Uppsala University’s Faculty of Science and Technology (TEKNAT) and Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering (LTH). T

Additional information

Funding

VINNOVA [grant number 2015-04473].

VINNOVA [grant number 2015-04473].