A major goal of the Editor's Department column is to demystify the editorial process, so that all readers—not just ‘old hands‘—will understand what goes on in the journal office. Here I will discuss the policy and practice of refereeing (i.e. reading and evaluating) submissions to Language. These comments are meant both to inform authors about how their submissions are evaluated and to inform referees about what the editor needs to know.

The Editorial Board of Language would appreciate your serving as a consultant on the merits of the enclosed manuscript, which has been submitted to them for possible publication. The following guidelines may help you with the task of preparing a report.

This listing acknowledges the receipt of recent works (except offprints of single articles) that appear to bear on the scientific study of language. The receipt of individual books cannot be separately acknowledged, and no book can be returned to the publisher. Note especially that, by accepting a book, the Editor implies no promise that it will be reviewed in this journal. Reviews are printed as circumstances permit, and copies are sent to the publishers of the works reviewed.