University Research and the Language Barrier

Abstract

The place of foreign language material in the research activity of a university community was studied in depth by collecting and analysing data on the use of library materials ( borrowing, Xeroxing, inter-library loans, use of journals inside libraries, citations) and data from interviews with a large sample of the population covering knowledge of languages, assistance given and received in languages, methods of keeping up to date with current research, the value of foreign research and the action taken to deal with articles in foreign languages. The relative importance of the various factors influencing the use of foreign language material is discussed and recommendations are made to promote their use for the general benefit of research.