Submissions

Author Guidelines

1. Author Guidelines

Verbum et Lingua: Didáctica, Lengua y Cultura is a biannual electronic journal published by the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Guadalajara. Our main purpose is the publication of original research articles, reflection pieces, and pedagogical interventions, as well as interviews and reviews. We focus on didactics, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Aimed at specialists, researchers, national and international academics, and anyone interested in knowledge, research, languages, and cultural aspects, the journal thrives on original and unpublished collaborations. It is essential that submissions have not been simultaneously sent to other publications.

We accept submissions in German, Spanish, French, English, and Italian. All texts must be submitted through our website.

2. Guidelines for Authors

2.1 Submission Checklist

Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure it meets the following requirements. Submissions that do not comply will be returned for correction.

• The signed declaration of unpublished material is included, confirming it will not be submitted to another journal simultaneously.

• The file is in Microsoft Word format and anonymized.

• Active URLs or DOIs are provided for references, where possible.

• The text is in letter size, with 2.5 cm margins, justified paragraphs, 1.5 line spacing without additional spaces, and Arial 12-point font.

• The manuscript complies with the style and bibliography requirements indicated in the Author Guidelines.

2.2 Application Checks

Submissions must be sent exclusively through our official website* and must comply with the following requirements, in their final version and within the deadlines established by the call for papers.

Required Documentation:

• Letter of Originality: Signed by all authors. Must identify the author responsible for the text and for correspondence.

2.3 Technical Requirements

• The file must be submitted in Word format, without password protection or authorship data.

• Images in .jpg (minimum 300 dpi) and graphics/tables in Excel or PowerPoint files (not embedded as images).

• Authors must have the rights of use for all visual material.

• Footnotes are for clarifications only.

Length:

• Articles: 6,000 to 8,000 words.

• Reviews: 1,500 to 2,500 words.

Format: Arial 12 pts font, double line spacing, 3 cm margins.

References must be limited to cited works and presented in APA 7th ed. style, preferably using bibliographic managers (Mendeley, Zotero, etc.).

The ORCID code is mandatory for all authors. If not provided, the article will not be considered for peer review.

2.4 Article Evaluation in Verbum et Lingua

The evaluation of articles submitted to Verbum et Lingua is carried out in two stages: 1) editorial review and 2) academic review, following the highest standards of editorial quality.

Evaluation Process:

• Preliminary editorial review: The Editorial Board verifies compliance with requirements and issues an Editorial Report.

• Academic review: If the article is approved, the double-blind peer review process begins.

The editorial review format is available here: [Editorial Review Format - VeL](Formato dictamen editorial - VeL)

2.5 Acceptance and Publication

If the article is approved after the review process, the Letter of Assignment of Rights will be requested. This must include the data of all authors and be signed by the corresponding author.

2.6 Accepted Article Types

2.6.1. Field Research Articles

Must include:

• Author(s) name(s) and surname(s)

• Affiliation institution

• ORCID and email

• Title in the original language and its translation into English (or Spanish if the article is in English)

• Bilingual abstract (max. 350 words) and 5 translated keywords

• Structure: abstract with research objective/question, methodology (informants, location, data collection and analysis techniques), results and conclusions; additionally, introduction, methodology, results and discussion, conclusion, and references.

• [Download evaluation format: Research Article Review Format - VeL](Formato dictamen Artículo de Investigación - VeL)

2.6.2. Reflection Articles (Theoretical and Fundamental Contribution)

Must include:

• Author name(s) and surname(s)

• Affiliation institution

• ORCID and email

• Title in the original language and its translation into English (or Spanish if the article is in English)

• Bilingual abstract (max. 250 words) and 5 translated keywords

• Structure: abstract with research objective/question, introduction (justification, problem, hypotheses/objectives, approach), articulated development, conclusions, and references.

• [Download evaluation format: Reflection Article Review Format - VeL](Formato dictamen Artículo de Reflexión - VeL)

2.6.3. Pedagogical Intervention Articles

Must include:

• Author(s) name(s) and surname(s)

• Affiliation institution

• ORCID and email

• Title in the original language and its translation into English (or Spanish if the article is in English)

• Bilingual abstract (max. 350 words) and 5 translated keywords

• Structure: abstract with research objective/question, methodology (informants, location, data collection and analysis techniques), results and conclusions; additionally, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and references.

• [Download evaluation format: Pedagogical Intervention Article Review Format - VeL](Formato dictamen Artículo de Intervención Pedagógica - VeL)

2.6.4 Reviews

Reviews of books related to the journal's three thematic axes, either a single recently published book or documents of interest to the area. They must contain between 1,500 and 2,500 words and are evaluated by double-blind peer review.

• [Download review evaluation format: Review Evaluation Format - VeL](Formato evaluación de reseñas - VeL)

2.6.5 Interviews

Interviews with personalities related to the journal's thematic axes. There is no word limit and they are not subject to peer review.

3. Editorial Standards: Document Presentation

Contributions must adhere to the following formatting standards:

3.1 General Format

• Page setup: Letter size.

• Margins: 2.5 cm on all sides.

• Paragraphs: Justified.

• Line spacing: 1.5 (no additional spaces between paragraphs).

• Font: Arial, 12 points.

3.2 Special Considerations

• Special characters: Linguistics articles containing special characters must submit an additional PDF file along with the main file.

• Graphic material: If including graphics, images, photographs, or artistic works, these must be submitted in JPG or compatible format, with at least 300 dpi resolution. Authors or third parties must hold the reproduction and usage rights for this material.

• Language review: If the author writes in a foreign language, it is requested that the text be reviewed by a native speaker with linguistic knowledge and preferably in the thematic area.

3.3 Article Structure

Articles must follow the structure below:

• Title: In the original language of the work and its translation into English. If the work's language is English, the translation into Spanish will be presented.

• Abstract: In the original language (maximum 350 words) and its translation into English (or Spanish if the original is in English). It must include:

  • Main objective of the work.

  • Sample and duration of the research (if applicable).

  • Theoretical basis.

  • Description of the methodological process.

  • Results obtained and conclusions.

  • Contribution of the work to the field of study.

• Keywords: Maximum five, in the original language and its translation into English (or Spanish if the original is in English).

• Body of the text:

  • Introduction.

  • Numbered sections and subsections (e.g., 2. Section Title; 2.1. Subsection Title).

  • Conclusion.

• Notes: Must be included within the text.

• Schemes and images: Must be visible, with their source, and integrated into the body of the text.

4. Citation and Reference Guidelines

To ensure uniformity and academic rigor, Verbum et Lingua: Didáctica, Lengua y Cultura adopts the guidelines of the 7th edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) style for citing and referencing sources.

4.1 In-Text Citations

In-text citations must include the author's surname and the year of publication. For direct quotes, the page number is added.

Direct Quotes (Textual):

• Short quotes (less than 40 words): Incorporated into the text within quotation marks.

  • Author-focused (narrative): Surname (Year) states that "textual quote" (p. page number).

    • Example: García (2020) states that "education is the foundation of social progress" (p. 15).

  • Quote-focused (parenthetical): "Textual quote" (Surname, Year, p. page number).

    • Example: "Education is the foundation of social progress" (García, 2020, p. 15).

• Long quotes (40 words or more): Included in a separate block, without quotation marks, indented 1.27 cm (0.5 inches) from the left margin. It is suggested to maintain the body text font size and double line spacing, although for these block quotes, a font size of 11 points and single line spacing are permitted if the journal deems it appropriate for layout. The parenthetical citation (Surname, Year, p. page number) is placed after the final period.

  • Example: According to Martínez (2018): Qualitative research offers a deep understanding of social phenomena, allowing for the exploration of the complexities of human experience in its natural context. This approach is crucial for unraveling meanings and perceptions that quantitative methods might overlook, providing a holistic and richly detailed view. (p. 45)

Paraphrases and mentions of general ideas: Referred to only with the author's surname and the year of the source. Although not mandatory, it is recommended to include the page number or page range if it is useful for the reader.

• Example (narrative): Surname (Year) states that summary or paraphrase.

  • Example: Sánchez (2019) argues that technology has radically transformed teaching methods.

• Example (parenthetical): Summary or paraphrase (Surname, Year).

  • Example: Technology has radically transformed teaching methods (Sánchez, 2019).

Multiple Authors in In-Text Citations:

• One author: Cite the author's surname and year (Surname, Year).

• Two authors: Cite both surnames joined by '&' (ampersand) in parenthetical citations (Surname & Surname, Year) or by 'and' in narrative citations (Surname and Surname, Year).

• Three or more authors: Cite only the surname of the first author followed by 'et al.' (not italicized) and the year, from the first mention in the text (Surname et al., Year).

  • Example (narrative): Gómez et al. (2021) found that...

  • Example (parenthetical): ...as has been demonstrated (Gómez et al., 2021).

Institutional Authors:

• In the first mention in the text, the full name of the institution can be included followed by the acronym in brackets (e.g., [UNAM]). In subsequent citations, only the acronym can be used (e.g., UNAM, 2020), provided the acronym is widely recognized or has been explained previously.

  • Example (first mention): (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023)

  • Example (subsequent mentions): (WHO, 2023)

Multiple Works by the Same Author and Year:

• In cases where the author's surname and publication year coincide for different works, distinguishing lowercase letters must be used after the year (e.g., 2020a, 2020b). This distinction must be applied consistently in both in-text citations and the corresponding entry in the reference list.

  • Example: (Pérez, 2015a) and (Pérez, 2015b).

4.2 Special Considerations for Citations

• Citations in another language: The author may choose to keep the citation in the original language. If an existing translation is used, the source of the translation must be referenced. If the author performs the translation, they must indicate it at the end of the citation or in parentheses within it, noting '[Translation by author]' or '[My translation]'.

• Latinisms: In accordance with APA style, Verbum et Lingua uses only the Latin abbreviation et al. (in italics). Other Latin citation abbreviations such as op. cit., id., ibíd., or ibídem should not be used; therefore, each time a reference is repeated in the text, it must be cited again in its entirety (surname(s) and year). Likewise, instead of cf.or cfr., the Spanish expression 'véase' (see) will be used.

• Personal communications: Interviews and personal communications (letters, emails, phone conversations, etc.) are not included in the reference list because they are not retrievable by the reader. They are cited only in the text, indicating the communicator's initials and surname, and the exact date.

  • Example: (A. N. Lastname, personal communication, January 1, 2024).

4.3 Footnotes

Footnotes will be used sparingly and exclusively for marginal comments by the author or to provide brief complementary information, avoiding excessive use. The font size is 10 points and single line spacing. The note number or symbol must be superscript after the punctuation mark at the end of the sentence or clause to which it refers.

4.4 Tables and Figures

All tables and figures (which include graphs, schemes, diagrams, and photographs) must be original. Each must be numbered consecutively (e.g., 'Table 1', 'Figure 1') and have a concise, descriptive title. Below each table or figure, a 'Note' must be included that provides any necessary explanation and source attribution if the table or figure has been adapted or reproduced. For photographs or any other non-original material, it is essential to attach the authorizations or respective reproduction rights.

4.5 Reference List

The reference list must be located at the end of the article and should only include works that have been explicitly cited in the text. Entries must be ordered alphabetically by the surname of the first author.

Authors in the reference list: Surnames and initials of all authors of each material must be included, up to a maximum of 20 authors. If a work has 21 or more authors, the first 19 are listed, an ellipsis (...) is inserted, and then the last author's name is added.

Below are the most common reference formats:

• Online newspaper article: Surname, N. N. (Year, Day Month). Title of article. Name of Newspaper. URL

  • Example: Hernández, J. (2024, July 15). La educación a distancia en tiempos de cambio. La Jornada. www.lajornada.mx/noticia/...

• Printed newspaper article: Surname, N. N. (Year, Day Month). Title of article. Name of Newspaper, pp. xx-xx.

  • Example: Martínez, L. (2023, August 20). Avances en la investigación educativa. El Universal, pp. 10-11.

• Online journal article with DOI: Surname, N. N., Surname, N. N., & Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of article. Name of Journal, Volume(Number), pages. doi: xxxxxxxxxxxx

  • Example: García, A., López, M., & Ramírez, J. (2022). Innovación docente en el siglo XXI. Revista de Educación, 45(2), 120-135. doi: 10.xxxx/xxxx.xxxx

• Online journal article with URL (no DOI): Surname, N. N., Surname, N. N., & Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of article. Name of Journal, Volume(Number), pages. URL

  • Example: Pérez, R., & Castro, S. (2021). Estrategias de aprendizaje colaborativo. Cuadernos de Pedagogía, 30(1), 50-65. www.cuadernosdepedagogia.es/articulo/...

• Printed journal article: Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of article. Name of Journal, Volume(Number), pages.

  • Example: Sánchez, P. (2019). El impacto de la tecnología en el aula. Investigación Educativa, 15(3), 80-95.

• Book chapter: Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of chapter. In N. N. Surname & N. N. Surname (Eds.), Title of book(pp. xxx-xxx). Publisher.

  • Example: Gómez, S. (2020). La enseñanza de segundas lenguas. In A. Ruiz & B. Vargas (Eds.), Nuevas perspectivas en didáctica (pp. 45-60). Editorial Cátedra.

• Various downloadable online documents (reports, official documents, etc.): Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of document [Description of document type, if applicable]. URL

  • Example: World Health Organization. (2023). Estrategias para la promoción de la salud mental [Technical report]. www.who.int/salud_mental/informe_2023.pdf

• Laws and decrees (very specific formats in APA; simplification to essentials is recommended for a general article): Name of Act, Full official title (Year of promulgation). URL (if applicable)

  • Example (simplified): General Education Law, Article 3° (2019). www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LGE.pdf

  • Note: For complex legal references, it is suggested to consult the APA Publication Manual 7th ed. directly (Section 11.2, Legal Documents).

• Book: Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.

  • Example: Martínez, E. (2018). Psicología del aprendizaje. Editorial McGraw-Hill.

• Website (online text): Surname, N. N. (Date of publication or last update). Title of content. Website Name. URL

  • Example: Rodríguez, M. (2023, October 10). Consejos para una vida saludable. Vida Plena. www.vidaplena.org/salud/consejos

  • If no date: Surname, N. N. (n.d.). Title of content. Website Name. URL

• Social media post (e.g., Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn): Surname, N. N. [or Username]. (Year, Day Month). Content of post (first 20 words, if applicable) [Description of post type, e.g., Status update, Image, Video]. Social Media Name. URL

  • Example: INEGI [@INEGI_Mexico]. (2024, July 5). La inflación en México se situó en un 4.5% en junio [Tweet]. X. twitter.com/INEGI_Mexico/status/123456789

  • Note: Include the full content of the post if very short, or the first 20 words. Emojis can be included if relevant.

• Printed thesis (unpublished): Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of thesis [Unpublished doctoral dissertation] or [Unpublished master's thesis]. Name of Institution.

  • Example: Vargas, E. (2021). El desarrollo de habilidades socioemocionales en la educación básica[Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

• Online thesis: Surname, N. N. (Year). Title of thesis [Doctoral dissertation, Name of Institution] or [Master's thesis, Name of Institution]. URL

  • Example: López, J. (2020). Factores que influyen en el rendimiento académico en la universidad [Master's thesis, Universidad de Guadalajara]. http://repositorio.udg.mx/tesis/...

• Online video (e.g., YouTube): Surname, N. N. [or Channel Name]. (Year, Day Month). Title of video [Video]. Platform (e.g., YouTube). URL

  • Example: UNAM Global. (2023, September 20). La importancia de la lectura [Video]. YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=...

5. Institutional and Ethical Commitment

We guarantee that no more than 25% of the articles in each issue come from authors affiliated with the University of Guadalajara, thus ensuring a wide diversity of perspectives and contributions.

Verbum et Lingua adheres to the principles of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), prioritizing intrinsic scientific merit. Furthermore, we are an open access journal, meaning that all our content is freely available to users and their institutions.

In line with the open access definition of the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI), users are free to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, and link to the full texts of articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without prior permission from the publisher or author.