Analyzing the Application of Speech Act Theory in Editorial Emails of Rejected Manuscripts

Abstract

Aim. This paper discusses the use of Speech Act Theory to analyse editorial emails that reject an academic manuscript. The study investigates how the editorial decisions are communicated with different levels of polite, impolite, polite direct and polite assertive language in the analysed emails’ linguistic structure and pragmatic aspects. Methods. Building on the taxonomy of speech acts proposed by John Searle, the study establishes the most common types of speech acts and their roles in rejection communication. The study will establish how editors conduct themselves as they display professionalism while giving negative feedback that could be emotionally uncomfortable to the individuals involved in the work. Results. This research work contributes to the knowledge of pragmatic features in professional discourse to suggest improvements in academic publishing communication practice, and to improve the editor-author relationships. Conclusion. Potential implications of this work include developing better fitting templates for the editorial correspondence that accommodate the communicative pur-pose and interpersonal relations.