Ecosystemic linguistics: introducing ecolinguistics in a Latin American context

This article introduces ecosystemic linguistics (EL) as a distinct, non-metaphorical framework within ecolinguistics, with a focus on its emergence and development in Brazil and broader Latin America. Drawing from principles of biological ecology, EL conceptualizes language as an interconnected system involving population, territory, and communicative practices. The article also addresses the expansion, impact, and challenges of EL, including its integration into academic curricula, research groups, and journals in Brazil, as well as its growing international recognition. After that, the study explores EL’s primary concepts, such as the ecology of communicative interaction and ecosystemic discourse analysis. While acknowledging EL’s adaptability and potential for advancing ecolinguistics globally, the article notes the need for greater theoretical clarity and methodological rigor. Finally, EL is presented as a promising Global South contribution to ecolinguistics, offering new perspectives on the dynamic relationships between language, society, and the environment.