Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002184
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) The manifold costs of being a non-native English speaker in science
Author Amano, T.; Ramírez-Castañeda, V.; Berdejo-Espinola, V.; Borokini, I.; Chowdhury, S.; Golivets, M. ORCID logo ; González-Trujillo, J.D.; Montaño-Centellas, F.; Paudel, K.; White, R.L.; Veríssimo, D.
Source Titel PLoS Biology
Year 2023
Department BZF; iDiv; ESS
Volume 21
Issue 7
Page From e3002184
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Data and Software links http://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Y94ZT
Supplements https://ndownloader.figstatic.com/institutions/plos/files_by_doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002184
Abstract The use of English as the common language of science represents a major impediment to maximising the contribution of non-native English speakers to science. Yet few studies have quantified the consequences of language barriers on the career development of researchers who are non-native English speakers. By surveying 908 researchers in environmental sciences, this study estimates and compares the amount of effort required to conduct scientific activities in English between researchers from different countries and, thus, different linguistic and economic backgrounds. Our survey demonstrates that non-native English speakers, especially early in their careers, spend more effort than native English speakers in conducting scientific activities, from reading and writing papers and preparing presentations in English, to disseminating research in multiple languages. Language barriers can also cause them not to attend, or give oral presentations at, international conferences conducted in English. We urge scientific communities to recognise and tackle these disadvantages to release the untapped potential of non-native English speakers in science. This study also proposes potential solutions that can be implemented today by individuals, institutions, journals, funders, and conferences.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=27413
Amano, T., Ramírez-Castañeda, V., Berdejo-Espinola, V., Borokini, I., Chowdhury, S., Golivets, M., González-Trujillo, J.D., Montaño-Centellas, F., Paudel, K., White, R.L., Veríssimo, D. (2023):
The manifold costs of being a non-native English speaker in science
PLoS Biol. 21 (7), e3002184 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002184