Focus and Scope

The International Journal Linguistics of Sumatra and Malay (IJLSM) is a peer-reviewed scholarly platform dedicated to advancing research in linguistics, with a specialized focus on languages of the Sumatra region and Malay linguistic traditions. The journal welcomes high-quality, original contributions spanning theoretical, descriptive, and applied linguistics, including but not limited to:

1. Core Linguistic Disciplines (Micro-Linguistics)

  • Structural Analysis: Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
  • Language Documentation: Descriptive studies of under-researched languages in Sumatra.
  • Comparative Linguistics: Dialectology, historical linguistics, and language typology related to Malay and Sumatran languages.

2. Interdisciplinary Approaches (Macro-Linguistics)

  • Sociolinguistics: Language variation, identity, policy, and multilingualism in Sumatra/Malay contexts.
  • Psycholinguistics & Neurolinguistics: Cognitive processing, language acquisition, and neural mechanisms in Malay/Sumatran language speakers.
  • Anthropological Linguistics: Language-culture interactions, ethnolinguistics, and oral traditions.
  • Applied Linguistics: Language teaching, corpus studies, and computational linguistics for regional languages.

3. Regional Focus

  • Endangered Languages: Preservation, revitalization, and documentation of Sumatran languages at risk.
  • Malay Varieties: Studies on Classical Malay, local Malay dialects, and their sociocultural significance.
  • Cross-Regional Linkages: Connections between Sumatran languages and broader Austronesian/Malayic language families.