English as the universal language of science: opportunities and challenges

David G. Drubin and Douglas R. Kellogg

English is now used almost exclusively as the language of science The adoption of a die facto universal language of scienco has had an extraordinary effect on scientific communication by learning a sin- gle language, scientists around the world gain access to the vast scientific literature and can communicate with other scientists any- where in the world. However, the use of English as the universal scientific language creates distinct challenges for those who are not native speakers of English. In this editorial, we discuss how research- ers, manuscript reviewers, and joumal editors can help minimize thoso challenges, thereby loveling the playing field and fostering international scientific communication.

It is estimatood that tless than 15% of the world's population speaks English, with just 5% being native speakers (http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/English Janguage). This extraordinary mibalance emphasizes the importance of recognizing and alleviating the difficulties faced by nonnative speakers of English if we are to have a truly global community of scientists. For scientists whose first language is not English, writing manuscripts and grants, preparing oral presenta tions, and communicating directly with other scientists in English is mudi more challenging than it is for native speakers of English. Communicating subtle nuances, which can be done casily in one's native tongue, becomes difficult or impossible. A common com plaint of nonnative speakers of English is that manuscript reviewers ofton focus on criticizing their English, rather than looking bayond the language to evaluate the scientific results and logic of a manu script. This makes it difficult for their manuscripts to get a fair review and, ultimately, to be accepted for publication

We believe that the communications advantage realized by na- tive speakers of English obligates them to acknowledige and to help alleviate the extra challenges faced by their their fellow scientists from

DOI: 10.1001/ F12-02-0108

David G. Drubie is Edinarie Chief and Douglas R. Kaliogg is Features Editor of Molecular Biology of the Col Address comespondance to to Douglas

ucsc.edul 2012 Dindin and Kellogg This article is dembcted by The American Society for Cel Biology under foense from the authortal. Two months aher publication it is available to the public under an Attribution-hioncommercial-Share Alike 30 LA poned Creative Commons License пp://eativecommons.org/licenses/by

"ASCB "Tise Amencan Society for Cell Biology, ant "Molecular fhology of the Cal registered tracemarlic of The Amencan Society of Cell Biology

non-English-speaking countries. Native speakers of English should offer understanding, patience, and assistance when reviewing or editing manuscripts of nonnative speakers of English. At the same time, nonnative speakers of English must endeavor to produce manuscripts that are clearly written. We offer the following guide- lines for writing and evaluating manuscripts in the context y of scientists: international community of of the

1. Nonnative speakers of English can write effective manuscripts, despite errors of grammar, syntax, and usage, if the manuscripts are clear, smple, logical, and concise. (We note that native speakers of English sometimes write manuscripts exhibiting good grammar, yet filled with muddled and confusing logic.) 2. When possible, reviewers and editors of manuscripts should look beyond errors in grammar, syntax, and usage, and evaluate the science.

3. It is inappropriate to reject or harshly criticize manuscripts from nonnative speakers of English based on omors of grammar, syn tax, or usage alone. If there are language omors, roviewers and editors should provide constructive criticism, pointing out amples of passages that are unclear and suggesting improve- ments. Reviewers and editors may also suggest that authors seek the assistance of expert English speakers or professional editing services in preparing revised versions of manuscripts. And finally, all involved should bear in mind that most journals employ copy editors, whose job it is to correct any lingering errors in grammar, syntax, and usage before final publication of an article

Nonnative speakers of English must be aware that reviewers, editors, and journal staff do not have the time or resources to extensively edit manuscripts for language and that reviewers and editors must be able to understand what is being reported. Thus, it is essential that nonnative speakers of English recognize that their ability to participate in the intemational scientific enterprise is directly related to their ability to produce manuscripts in English that clear, simple, logical, and concise.

The fact that Eriglish is the de facto global language of science is not likely to change anytime soon. Optimizing communication among members of the international community of scientists, and thus advancing scientific progress, depends on elimination of ob- stacles faced by nonnative speakers of the English language. This ideal can best be achieved when all members of the scientific com- munity work together.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This editonal was inspired by correspondence with Victor Norms of the Université de Rouen, France. We thank Yi Zuo, Karsten Weis, and Laurent Blanchon for comments on the manuscript and Mark Leader for his excellent edits

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