Book Review by Professor Emeritus Norbert Francis

We just came across another book review for Becoming a Linguist. Professor Emeritus Norbert Francis from Northern Arizona University wrote an interesting commentary on the division of linguistics today between positivist scientism and postmodern theories. The review was published in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development and can be accessed via this link: https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2026.2662074

Here is a short excerpt from the review:

"This wide-ranging collection of papers is both informative and helpful, specifically for students who are considering linguistics for research and teaching. Credit goes to the editors for inviting a broad range of viewpoints that reflect the controversies in the field – which have deepened in recent years. With different purposes in mind, the fifteen contributions highlight the evolution of sharp divisions. At the same time, the different perspectives allow us to understand them better and provide a welcome discussion."(Francis, 2026, p. 1)

References:

Francis, N. (2026). Becoming a linguist: advice from key thinkers in language studies, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2026.2662074