Journal of Multicultural Discourses

Editor-in-Chief: Shi-xu, Zhejiang University, China

It is fair to say that existing journals on discourse, and on language and communication more generally, are largely oriented to the Western intellectual world. The philosophies, theories, methods, issues and data that they treat and the authors that they give voice to tend to be Western in origin and/or in orientation. Consequently, the voices and concerns of the non-Western world are repressed or ignored. In this sense, the scholarly discourses remain largely univocal or, one might argue, a-cultural, though often under the guise of universality.

The international context, both academic and ordinary, has changed, however. The subjugated non-Western, non-White and Third World cultures are crying out to reclaim identities; the worsening cultural division and domination call for culturally democratic dialogue and exchange. In discourse scholarship and especially in critical approaches to social science, too, there is increasing awareness of the need to complement the celebrated interdisciplinarity with cultural equality and diversity.

To break free from traditional cultural bondages and to facilitate the politics of cultural solidarity and common cultural prosperity, Multilingual Matters, a market-leading publisher in the field, is launching a new journal in discourse studies, entitled Journal of Multicultural Discourses (ISSN 1744-7143). Edited by Shi-xu, Professor and Director of the Institute of Discourse and Cultural Studies, Zheijang University, China, who is also the first Chinese person to edit an international journal in the social sciences, the journal will appear in early 2006. Volume 1 will consist of two issues, with 4 issues per volume from Volume 2 (2007) onwards. Journal of Multicultural Discourses publishes following six broad types of articles:

1. On forms of discourse studies from different cultural traditions: e.g. explorations in the histories, philosophies, theories, methods, principles and strategies of particular cultures;

2. On issues, concerns, texts and contexts and hence, discourses, of diverse cultures and communities: e.g. studies of culture-specific questions, experiences, problems, aspirations, circumstances that are reproduced in and through discourses in the non-Western, non-White and Third-World countries and areas as well as the West;

3. On historically-conscious, critical comparisons of culturally variable versions, accounts, narratives about the 'same' or similar events or situations: e.g. culturally sensitive critiques of varied discourses about terrorism, the environment, human rights or development;

4. On representations of one’s own and other cultures in everyday and scientific communication and especially those discourses that repress, exclude or otherwise discriminate against other cultures: e.g. critical analyses of imperialist discourses of non-Western, non-White and Third World cultures and populations;

5. On how to conduct culturally non-oppressive but inclusive dialogue on language, communication and discourse studies and on how to generate culturally mutually beneficial scholarly discourses: e.g. deliberations and proposals on how the international scholarly community may come to terms with culturally different intellectual traditions and aspirations;

6. On how to identify, create and promote helpful ways of speaking of ‘other’ cultures, communities and populations as well as one’s ‘own’: e.g. formulations and justifications for ways of speaking in education and in society that enhance cultural pluralism, harmony and progress.

Call for Papers

The Editor encourages the submission of high quality papers on topics relevant to the interest of the Journal of Multicultural Discourses. Reviews of important, up-to-date, relevant publications and proposals for special issues on relevant topics are also welcome. Manuscripts should be presented according to the guidelines for authors of journal papers that can be found at www.multilingual-matters.com and they should be sent to:

Professor Shi-xu (PhD, Mr)
Director, Institute of Discourse and Cultural Studies
Zheijian University
388 Yuhangtang Road
310058 Hangzhou
China
Tel:++86(0)571.88206208
Fax:++86(0)571.85029729
Email: submissions@multilingual-matters.com

A Call for Papers (printed and electronic) and a special foundation subscriber offer price for the first two volumes will be circulated later in 2004.

As is usual when Multilingual Matters launches a new journal, the early issues will have a wide complimentary circulation to subscribers to some of our existing publications, such as the successful Journal of Multilingual & Multicultural Development.

Comments

‘an exciting and much needed new development. The new journal will help to question existing assumptions about discourse analysis and ultimately widen understanding of the processes of language.’ Michael Billig, co-editor, Discourse & Society, University of Loughborough, UK

‘I find this to be one of the most innovative and very timely additions to the network of publications in the social sciences…Journal's focus on restoring the balance of cultural-philosophical background perspectives in the social sciences is an admirable goal, which is likely to lead to revolutionary breakthroughs’
Jaan Valsiner, editor, Culture & Psychology and From Past to Future, Clark University, USA

The following are some of the people who have confirmed their willingness to serve on the International Editorial Board:

• Ien Ang, University of Western Sydney, Australia
• Felix Banda, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
• Jan Blommaert, University of Ghent, Belgium
• Narcisa Paredes Canilao, University of the Philippines, the Philippines
• Dariusz Galasinski, University of Wolverhampton, UK
• Gu Yueguo, Chinese Academy of the Social Sciences, China
• Isolda Carranza, National University of Cordoba, Argentina
• Henry Giroux, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
• Aydan Gulerce, Bogazici University, Turkey
• Monica Heller, University of Toronto, Canada
• Todd J.M. Holden, Tohoku University, Japan
• Victoria V. Krasnykh, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
• Gabriella Modan, Ohio Sate University, USA
• Michaela Mudure, Babes-Bolyai University, Romania
• Rukmini Bhaya Nair, Indian Institute of Technology, India
• Abdullah Shunnaq, Yarmouk University, Jordan
• Lívia Mathias Simão, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
• Kwesi Yankah, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
• Robert Young, Oxford University, UK

Review Editor
Doreen Wu, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

International Honourary Board
Michael Billig, University of Loughborough, UK
Jaan Valsiner, Clark University, USA
Shen Jiaxuan, Chinese Academy of the Social Sciences, China

Editorial Assistant
Wendy Zhao

For further details, please contact Multilingual Matters at:

Frankfurt Lodge
Clevedon Hall
Victoria Road
Clevedon
England BS21 7HH

Tel: +44 (0) 1275 876519
Fax: +44 (0) 1275 871673
info@multilingual-matters.com

Details are available on our website: www.multilingual-matters.com