The Rise of English as the Global Lingua Franca of Academic Philosophy

The Unjust Distribution of Epistemic Goods and the Need for Inclusion

In the realm of academic philosophy, English has emerged as the global lingua franca, facilitating communication and collaboration among philosophers from diverse cultural backgrounds. While this development has undoubtedly contributed to the growth and internationalization of the discipline, it has also given rise to a range of challenges. Peter Finocchiaro and Timothy Perrine shed light on the potential injustices that have accompanied the dominance of English in academic philosophy, highlighting the unequal distribution of epistemic goods such as credibility, education, and the standing to speak. In their thought-provoking paper, the authors argue that these language-related injustices demand attention and propose solutions to foster a more inclusive philosophical community.

The Language Barrier and Epistemic Injustice:

The authors present a compelling case of a non-native English-speaking philosopher who, despite being fluent in English, encounters difficulties in having their work recognized due to perceived issues with idiomatic expression. This scenario, though perhaps not experienced by all, resonates with many within the philosophical community. The labeling of non-native speakers and the imposition of linguistic norms set by native English speakers create a system that unjustly evaluates the worth of philosophical contributions based on language proficiency rather than content. Finocchiaro and Perrine argue that this constitutes a form of epistemic injustice, specifically distributive epistemic injustice, which undermines the fair distribution of epistemic goods.

Proposals for a More Inclusive Future:

To address these language-related injustices, the authors put forth several proposals that aim to level the playing field and promote inclusivity within academic philosophy:

1A: Increase assistance with English: Journals should provide English-language services, such as proofreading, at no cost to the author. This would alleviate the burden on non-native speakers and ensure that their work is evaluated based on its merits rather than language proficiency.

1B: Abandon “readability” standards: Journals should refrain from evaluating submissions based on subjective notions of “readability” and “idiomatic” English. By focusing solely on the clarity and coherence of the arguments presented, linguistic biases can be minimized.

2A: Diversify the canon: Philosophers and journals should engage with works from a wide range of philosophical traditions, moving beyond the confines of the mainstream Western canon. This would foster a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of philosophy.

2B: Expand the SEP: The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP) should translate articles into other languages or commission original entries in non-English languages. This would make high-quality research more accessible to non-native English speakers and promote a global exchange of ideas.

3A: Increase non-native English speaker representation: Editorial boards of journals and admissions committees of graduate programs should include more non-native English-speaking philosophers. This would ensure diverse perspectives and experiences are represented in decision-making processes.

3B: Increase cross-linguistic representation: Journals should actively publish material that highlights non-English language philosophy, particularly work produced in non-Anglophone countries. This would provide visibility and recognition to philosophical communities working outside the English-speaking world.

Conclusion:

In their thought-provoking paper, Finocchiaro and Perrine shed light on the language-related injustices that have emerged in the wake of English’s rise as the global lingua franca of academic philosophy. By highlighting the unequal distribution of epistemic goods and proposing solutions to foster inclusivity, the authors call for a reevaluation of linguistic norms and a more comprehensive approach to philosophical discourse. As the philosophical community grapples with the challenges posed by the dominance of English, it is crucial to engage in open dialogue and consider diverse perspectives to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all philosophers worldwide.