English, Scientific Capital and Internationalization: A Study of Academic Production in Latin America and the Caribbean (2008–2023)

Abstract

This study analyzes the role of language choice in the internationalization of higher education research in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) from 2008 to 2023. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and scientific capital, the research explores how language practices reflect broader dynamics of power, prestige, and market logic within the global academic field. Through bibliometric analysis of articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and Lens databases, the study identifies a growing trend toward publishing in English, despite the predominance of Spanish and Portuguese in the region. English-language publications consistently achieved greater citation impact, illustrating how the pursuit of international visibility aligns with strategies to accumulate scientific capital. The findings reveal that language choice is not merely individual but shaped by structural pressures that reinforce linguistic hierarchies and global asymmetries. The study highlights the need for critical reflection on internationalization practices and calls for strategies that value linguistic diversity to foster a more equitable and plural academic environment.