[Discussion] Journal of Multicultural Discourses

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

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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.

The journal features divergent disciplines, ranging from discourse
studies, cultural studies, communication studies, anthropological
linguistics, literary criticism, to critical pedagogy.

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
L=EDvia Mathias Sim=E3o, Universidade de S=E3o 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

	Professor Shi-xu (??, PhD, Mr)
Editor, JOURNAL OF MULTICULTURAL DISCOURSES
Director, Inst. of Discourse & Cultural Studies
Zhejiang University, 388 Yuhangtang Road
310058 Hangzhou, CHINA
Tel: ++86(0)571.88206208;Fax: ++86(0)571.85029729
Email: jmd_editor@126.com (for editorial matters)

Website: www.shixu.com

Association: multicultural-discourses.com

Email: xshi@zju.edu.cn <mailto:xshi@zju.edu.cn>
Visit the website at
http://www.multilingual-matters.com/multi/journals/journals_jmd.asp