Lost in transition?:on the migration to English language research publications

Nordic universities produce a significant and increasing number of research publications in English. This chapter takes a closer look at this development in the context of Denmark, where today around 86% of all research publications are published in English. First, the overall development of English language research publications within all main areas of research in Denmark is examined. Thereafter, the chapter focuses on one of the biggest and most important universities in Denmark, Aarhus University. The chapter shows that all scientific fields in Denmark and at Aarhus University have experienced a radical change in publication language over the last two decades, from Danish and other languages to English. It also shows that it is the Social Sciences and the Humanities that have seen the biggest changes over these years. Via bibliometric counts and interviews with researchers from the areas that have experienced the most significant changes, the chapter analyses the development in publication language from Danish to English along with the meaning and effects of this change. The chapter ends with a discussion of how universities can help battle the negative consequences of the transition to English while at the same time holding on to the benefits of this movement. Nordic universities produce a significant and increasing number of research publications in English. This chapter takes a closer look at this development in the context of Denmark, where today around 86% of all research publications are published in English. First, the overall development of English language research publications within all main areas of research in Denmark is examined. Thereafter, the chapter focuses on one of the biggest and most important universities in Denmark, Aarhus University. The chapter shows that all scientific fields in Denmark and at Aarhus University have experienced a radical change in publication language over the last two decades, from Danish and other languages to English. It also shows that it is the Social Sciences and the Humanities that have seen the biggest changes over these years. Via bibliometric counts and interviews with researchers from the areas that have experienced the most significant changes, the chapter analyses the development in publication language from Danish to English along with the meaning and effects of this change. The chapter ends with a discussion of how universities can help battle the negative consequences of the transition to English while at the same time holding on to the benefits of this movement.