37.2968, FYI: Call for Book Chapters: Navigating the Complexity of Language Variation: Challenges and Trajectories

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-37-2968. Wed Sep 16 2026. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 37.2968, FYI: Call for Book Chapters: Navigating the Complexity of Language Variation: Challenges and Trajectories

Moderator: Steven Moran (linguist at linguistlist.org)
Managing Editor: Valeriia Vyshnevetska
Team: Helen Aristar-Dry, Daniel Swanson
Jobs: jobs at linguistlist.org | Conferences: callconf at linguistlist.org | Pubs: pubs at linguistlist.org

Homepage: http://linguistlist.org

Editor for this issue: Daniel Swanson <daniel at linguistlist.org>

================================================================


Date: 16-Sep-2026
From: Mohamed Jlassi [mohamed.jlassi at aou.org.bh]
Subject: Call for Book Chapters: Navigating the Complexity of Language Variation: Challenges and Trajectories


We invite chapter abstract submissions for a proposed edited volume
entitled Navigating the Complexity of Language Variation: Challenges
and Trajectories.
The volume proposal is intended for submission to Palgrave Macmillan.
The editor is now developing the contributor list and chapter
abstracts as part of the next stage of the proposal process. Selected
abstracts will be included in the revised proposal for further
editorial consideration and external peer review.
The proposed volume aims to offer a comprehensive and theoretically
informed account of language variation across native and non-native
language settings. It brings together quantitative, qualitative,
corpus-based, sociolinguistic, discourse-pragmatic, and applied
linguistic perspectives in order to examine the complexity of
linguistic variation and its implications for theory, method,
pedagogy, and language assessment.
Language variation remains a central concern in linguistics, yet its
complexity continues to challenge existing theoretical and
methodological frameworks. While variationist research has
traditionally focused on phonological, morphological, and
morphosyntactic variables, increasing attention has been given to
discourse-pragmatic variables, multifunctionality, corpus
construction, and the difficulties of establishing equivalence among
variants. These issues raise important questions about the Principle
of Accountability, the locus of variation, the quantification of
variable data, and the relationship between linguistic structure and
social change.
The volume also seeks to extend discussions of variation to second
language acquisition, interlanguage, language learning, instruction,
and assessment. By bringing together research on variation in both
first and second language contexts, the book aims to explore how
social context, learner styles, communicative settings, linguistic
repertoires, and communicative purposes shape variable language use.
The volume is especially interested in contributions that move beyond
narrow descriptions of variation to consider how variation can be
theorized, measured, taught, and assessed across different linguistic
and social contexts.
We welcome theoretically grounded, empirically based, and
methodologically innovative chapters addressing, but not limited to,
the following themes:
- Phonological, morphological, and morphosyntactic variables
- Discourse-pragmatic approaches to language variation
- Variationist approaches to language and linguistic theory
- Sociolinguistic variation and social change
- Multifunctionality and the Principle of Accountability
- The locus of variation and the definition of linguistic variables
- Corpus construction and the quantification of variation
- Cross-linguistic perspectives on language variation
- Language variation in first and second language acquisition
- Interlanguage variation and learner language
- Variation in language teaching, learning, and assessment
- Non-standard varieties, proficiency, and pedagogical implications
- Methodological challenges in studying linguistic variables
- New theoretical trajectories in the study of language variation
The proposed volume is intended for researchers, academics,
postgraduate students, and advanced undergraduate students in
linguistics, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, second language
acquisition, discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, and language
education. It will be of particular interest to scholars working on
the theoretical status of linguistic variables, the methodological
treatment of variable data, the relationship between variation and
social meaning, and the role of variation in language learning and
teaching.
Abstract Submission Guidelines
Interested contributors are invited to submit a chapter abstract of
approximately 150-200 words, together with:
- Proposed chapter title
- Author name(s)
- Institutional affiliation(s)
- Email address(es)
- A short bio-note of approximately 100 words
- 5–6 keywords
Abstracts should clearly state the chapter’s aims, theoretical
framework, methodology where applicable, data or context of analysis,
and expected contribution to the volume. Contributors are encouraged
to explain how their proposed chapter connects with the wider aims of
the book and how it advances current debates on language variation.
Deadline for Abstract Submission
15 December 2026
Selection Process
Following the abstract submission deadline, the editor will review all
proposals for relevance, originality, theoretical contribution,
methodological clarity, and fit with the aims of the volume. Authors
of shortlisted or selected abstracts will be contacted with further
details regarding the full chapter submission process, including
expected chapter length, formatting guidelines, timeline for first
drafts, review procedures, and final manuscript deadlines.
Acceptance of an abstract at this stage indicates that the proposed
chapter has been selected for inclusion in the revised book proposal.
Full chapter invitations, submission timelines, and further editorial
guidance will be shared with selected contributors following the
review of abstracts. Final publication arrangements will proceed in
line with Palgrave Macmillan’s editorial and peer review procedures.
Submission and Contact Details
Please send chapter abstracts and enquiries to book editor:
Mohamed Jlassi
mohamed.jlassi at aou.org.bh
Please use the subject line:
Chapter Abstract Submission – Language Variation Volume
Indicative Timeline
- Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2026
- Notification of shortlisted/selected abstracts: After editorial
review
- Full chapter guidelines and deadlines: To be sent to selected
contributors
- First full chapter drafts: Timeline to be confirmed with selected
contributors
We look forward to receiving contributions that advance current
debates on language variation and help open new theoretical,
methodological, and applied trajectories in the field.

Call Deadline: 15-Dec-2026

Linguistic Field(s): Applied Linguistics
                     General Linguistics
                     Sociolinguistics
                     Syntax
                     Text/Corpus Linguistics




------------------------------------------------------------------------------

********************** LINGUIST List Support ***********************
Please consider donating to the Linguist List, a U.S. 501(c)(3) not for profit organization:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=87C2AXTVC4PP8

LINGUIST List is supported by the following publishers:

Australian Linguistics Society https://als.asn.au/Home

Bloomsbury Publishing http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/

Cambridge University Press http://www.cambridge.org/linguistics

Cascadilla Press http://www.cascadilla.com/

De Gruyter Brill https://www.degruyterbrill.com/?changeLang=en

Edinburgh University Press http://www.edinburghuniversitypress.com

European Language Resources Association (ELRA) http://www.elra.info

John Benjamins http://www.benjamins.com/

Language Science Press http://langsci-press.org

Lincom GmbH https://lincom-shop.eu/

MDPI Languages https://www.mdpi.com/journal/languages

MIT Press http://mitpress.mit.edu/

Multilingual Matters http://www.multilingual-matters.com/

Narr Francke Attempto Verlag GmbH + Co. KG http://www.narr.de/

Netherlands Graduate School of Linguistics / Landelijke (LOT) http://www.lotpublications.nl/

Peter Lang AG http://www.peterlang.com

SIL International Publications http://www.sil.org/resources/publications


----------------------------------------------------------
LINGUIST List: Vol-37-2968
----------------------------------------------------------