Transformation of the Identities of Nonnative English-Speaking Scientists as a Consequence of the Social Construction of Revision

When nonnative English-speaking scientists submit manuscripts for consideration to English-language journals, they sometimes receive comments from the reviewers that are critical of their English language skills. The impact on scientists' identity when making revisions that satisfy reviewer expectations has not been examined carefully. Therefore, this study explores the phenomenon of manuscript revision and its effect on autobiographical identity through a qualitative investigation of Mexican scientists. Analysis revealed the emergence of six factors that consistently affect the nonnative English-speaking scientist, in some cases positively and in others negatively, depending on the writer's life story. Based on these findings, a model of social construction of revision is proposed. The model of revision accounts for the scientists' changing autobiographical identities.