Language Barriers in Science: Non-Native English Speakers Face Enormous Struggles, Impacting Global Contributions

Language Barriers in Science: Non-Native English Speakers Face Enormous Struggles, Impacting Global Contributions

Language barriers in the scientific community pose significant challenges for non-native English speakers, who make up the majority of the global population. A recent study conducted by the translatE project reveals the magnitude of the difficulties faced by scientists whose first language is not English.

Proficiency in English is now a necessity for scientists to extract knowledge from others’ work, publish their findings, attend international conferences, and collaborate with peers worldwide. However, the collective emphasis on English places a considerable burden on non-native English speakers.

The translatE project surveyed 908 environmental scientists from eight countries, both native and non-native English speakers, to understand the consequences of language barriers. The findings shed light on the major hurdles that non-native English-speaking PhD students encounter.

One significant hurdle is reading scientific papers, a fundamental requirement for scientists. Compared to their native English-speaking counterparts, non-native English speakers require 91% more time to read papers in English, equating to an additional three weeks per year. This puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to staying up-to-date with the latest research.

Publishing scientific papers in English presents additional challenges. Non-native English speakers need 51% more time to write a paper and often require the assistance of professional editors, which can be costly. In countries like Colombia, the expense of these services can be up to half the average monthly salary of a PhD student.

The hurdles continue with a significantly higher rate of paper rejections and revision requests compared to native English speakers. On average, non-native English speakers face rejection 2.6 times more often and are asked to revise their papers 12.5 times more frequently.

Attending international conferences, essential for expanding research networks, can be a source of anxiety for non-native English speakers. Many feel uncomfortable and embarrassed speaking in English. Additionally, they need 94% more time to prepare for presentations compared to native English speakers.

These hurdles create considerable disadvantages for non-native English speakers, leading to stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. The study participants expressed concern about the impact on their scientific careers and the field as a whole.

Addressing language barriers is crucial not only to support non-native English speakers but also for the scientific community’s broader benefit. Research has shown that diversity in science fosters innovation and impactful contributions to solving global challenges. Restricting access to scientific contributions from non-native English speakers hinders the progress and potential breakthroughs in diverse fields such as the biodiversity crisis.

To overcome language barriers, various stakeholders must take action. Journals can provide English editing support and accept multilingual publications, while conference organizers can implement inclusive measures like multilingual buddy programs. Artificial intelligence can also play a role by offering affordable or free language editing tools.

It is important to recognize the unique perspectives and invaluable contributions non-native English speakers bring to scientific knowledge. By breaking down language barriers, the scientific community can ensure that future generations of non-native English speakers can confidently contribute to the advancement of science, benefitting society as a whole.