Call for Papers 2025/2026
The Arab Journal of Applied Linguistics invites submissions for a special issue focusing on First and Second Language Limited Print Literacy among children, adolescents, and adults. We welcome contributions that explore limited print literacy among (i) displaced children and adolescents in conflict zones and (ii) refugees and immigrant adults in the Western world and expatriates in the Middle East.
Limited print literacy is defined here as the difficulty individuals experience in decoding or encoding on paper or on screen language that is necessary for their daily or occupational activities. Print literacy in one’s native language or second language has different levels and manifestations in different geographical and cultural contexts. It is evaluated in accordance with various factors such as age, educational background, ethnic background, gender, and communication needs. Limited print literacy may be primarily a consequence of inadequate language teaching, in the case of children, and interrupted formal schooling, in the case of adults.
The Special Issue’s theme could be considered within Critical Applied Linguistics, but we suggest the term Committed Applied Linguistics, which we consider more adequate. Committed Applied Linguistics is devoted to defending and preserving the fundamental human right to literacy, i.e. the essential cornerstone of Education. Research on limited print literacy seeks to expose linguistic injustices and their multifaceted causes and consequences. It aims at warding off the far reaching consequences these injustices have on individuals, communities, nations, and world peace. The mission of Committed Applied Linguistics, we suggest, is to contribute to defending and preserving Human Rights against language-related Human Wrongs.
This project was initially submitted to the editorial board of Arab Journal of Applied Linguistics as a Call for Papers and to an international publishing company as a book. Both have welcomed the idea. Because AJAL does not object to having papers republished (preferably after further improvements) as book chapters, accepted typescripts will be published in an AJAL’s Special Issue and then included, subsequent to consultations with and approval of all parties, as chapters in a book.
Abstract proposals (400 to 500 words) are to be sent to the Guest Editor (habdesslem@yahoo.co.uk) before July 30, 2025. Notification of acceptance/rejection will be sent within 3 weeks following each Abstact proposal’s submission. Typescripts (7000 to 8000 words) for the approved Abstract proposals are to be sent to the Guest Editor and uploaded on AJAL’s Home Page before April 30, 2026. Notifications of acceptance, requested revision, or rejection will be sent within 4 weeks.
Habib Abdesslem
Guest Editor & Editor-in-Chief of Arab Journal of Applied Linguistics
