Linguistics and Languages

Changes in the ways authors refer to themselves: a diachronic study of self-mention in English research articles

H. Wang and Z. Hu

This insightful study by Hua Wang and Zhiqing Hu delves into the evolving use of self-mention in English research articles from 1970 to 2019. Discover how the shifts in self-reference across disciplines like Applied Linguistics, Sociology, Biology, and Electrical Engineering reveal striking trends that could reshape academic writing practices.

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Playback language: English

Index

Abstract

This study investigates the diachronic changes in self-mention and its three sub-categories (first-person pronouns, third-person nouns, and abstract subjects) in English research articles from 1970 to 2019 across four disciplines (Applied Linguistics, Sociology, Biology, and Electrical Engineering). The findings reveal that self-mention and its sub-categories have changed over time and vary across disciplines. Hard science articles show an increasing trend in self-mention, particularly first-person pronouns, while soft science articles exhibit a decreasing trend, with a shift towards third-person nouns and abstract subjects. The study offers pedagogical implications for self-mention in English academic writing and teaching.

Publisher

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

Published On

Oct 05, 2023

Authors

Hua Wang, Zhiqing Hu

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