Call for Papers

Special Issue: Informal Standardization and the Regionalization of Language Norms

Coord.: Felix Tacke, Philipps-Universität Marburg

Present-day language cultures often feature a double-standard situation where an established, codified standard language, typically rooted in literary usage, coexists with one or more neo-standard languages. These emerging neo-standard languages tend to be more flexible (in the Praguean sense) and serve as new, adaptable models of ‘best language’. The evolution of ‘best language’ models through usage has been termed ‘informal standardization’ since Stewart (1968). More recent studies in (comparative) standardology also describe it as ‘restandardization’. Restandardization involves the expansion of ‘best language’ models to encompass new usage contexts, notably oral and informal contexts, often resulting in a ‘regionalization’ of language norms and the integration of formerly stigmatized forms.

This special issue is dedicated to deepening our comprehension of the latest developments in (informal) language standardization, including the competition between ‘best language’ models, i.e., between ‘old’ codified norms and ‘new’ usage norms, as well as the linguistic insecurities that may arise in this context. We invite researchers to submit unpublished papers that revolve around either the theoretical aspects of standardology or provide empirical insights into the characteristics of emerging neo-standards as well as the interplay between old and new standards. While we encourage studies on pluricentric scenarios within Romance languages, we also welcome contributions addressing (re)standardization issues in other language communities.

Manuscripts may be submitted in English, German, or in a Romance language.

Unpublished original contributions and documents should be submitted online taking into account Energeia’s editorial guidelines. These will be evaluated anonymously by two independent reviewers. The authors will be contacted after the evaluation procedure and shall receive an evaluation report along with a request to revise their contribution if necessary.

For the general section, we strongly encourage colleagues to submit contributions with a focus on one of the three main areas of interest of Energeia: language theory, philosophy of language and history of linguistics.

Pre-announcement: The thematic section of the 2025 issue will be dedicated to the linguistics of metaphors.

Submission deadline for forthcoming issue no. 9 (2024): July 15, 2024

Peer Review Process Completion: September 15, 2024

Online Publication: October 2024.