Reviewing #8--Papers by ESL authors

Note:  Since writing the essay below, I've learned that it is considered rude in some quarters to suggest that a paper be read by a native English speaker because it makes the assumption that the author is not a native.  I think this criticism is a bit off base because if you have any sensitivity to how various non-native English speakers speak English, it's pretty easy to pick up on what their native language is--even with seeing their names.  Having said that, the more tactful approach would be to point out that it is not in idiomatic English and ask the author to edit it accordingly.  Then it's up to the author to figure out what to do.

If editors were paid, I'd just suggest the editors do the necessary editing, but they usually aren't, so that' a big ask.  Of course, if the English is so poor that a paper cannot be understood, then the reviewer/editor has no choice but to point that out (this goes for native English speakers, too, by the way).  If you are a non-native English speaker and have felt insulted by such comments, bear in mind that you are being done a favor:  your paper's impact is going to be much greater if it can be easily understood.

I got the following question from a reader:

"A high fraction of the papers that I am asked to review are clearly written by non-native English speakers. Sometimes, it's so bad that I have trouble understanding parts. How do I approach this as a reviewer, both when it's distracting but understandable and when it's unintelligible?"

Great question, so here's my take.

Editors try (or should try) to catch the unintelligible ones before they are sent out for review.  Send an email to the editor.  Tell the editor that you tried to read the paper but could not make sense of it because the English is unintelligible.  You can soften the statement, if you want to, by pointing out that you cannot therefore give the paper a fair review.  Suggest that the paper be withdrawn from review until the English is improved.  If you're feeling really grouchy, you can say you can't waste your time on such papers.  All of these responses are perfectly acceptable.

You really need not concern yourself with what happens next, but I'll provide a window into that anyway.  If an author submits to an English-language journal, the paper should be in idiomatic English (or close to it; I would expect no less a standard be applied to me if I were to submit a paper in Spanish).  As English has become the near-universal language of science, that is not an unreasonable expectation, nor is it unreasonable to expect that all potential authors have access to someone for whom English is their native language or who is fluent in English.  Editors will suggest that the paper be read by a native English speaker and modified accordingly.

The tougher case is when poor English is "merely" distracting.  My answer on how to handle such cases goes to the standard I mentioned above:  Can you give the paper a fair review?  If the English is so poor you are concerned that you cannot, then handle it the same way you'd handle an unintelligible one.  If the English is an impediment to understanding a point or two, but otherwise you can understand what the authors are getting at, you can submit your review with the caveat that your review is based on a particular understanding of the authors' points, but you are not confident that you understood those points because of the poor English.  If the English is just awkward but intelligible on all counts, do the review and just point out that the paper is not in idiomatic English and could benefit from being looked over by a native English speaker.

Above all, do not shy away from saying the English is poor.  There is really no way to get at that problem other than to just come out and say it.