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Computational Linguistics (Journal)

Academic Journal: Computational Linguistics

Discipline Computational linguistics

Language English

Edited by Wei Lu

Publication details

Former name American Journal of Computational Linguistics

History 1974–present

Publisher

Frequency Quarterly

Open access Yes

License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Impact factor 7.778 (2021)

Standard abbreviations ISO 4 (alt) · Bluebook (alt) NLM (alt) · MathSciNet (alt) ISO 4 Comput. Linguist.

Indexing CODEN (alt · alt2) · JSTOR (alt) · LCCN (alt) MIAR · NLM (alt) · Scopus · W&L

ISSN 0891-2017 (print) 1530-9312 (web)

LCCN 88654977

OCLC no. 44539138

Links

  • Journal homepage
  • Online access

Computational Linguistics is not just another publication; it is a venerable, quarterly peer-reviewed and open-access academic journal that serves as a cornerstone in the ever-evolving, often bewildering, field of computational linguistics. Published with a certain gravitas by MIT Press on behalf of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL), it acts as a primary conduit for groundbreaking research, if such a thing genuinely exists. The journal meticulously curates and disseminates original articles that delve into the intricate dance between human language and computational processes, along with more concise, pointed squibs that offer focused insights, and critical book reviews that, presumably, save academics from reading everything themselves.

Its origins trace back to 1974, when it was first conceived and established under the rather descriptive moniker, the American Journal of Computational Linguistics. This initial foray into scholarly publishing was spearheaded by the eminent David G. Hays, whose foresight laid the groundwork for what would become an indispensable resource. However, its early years were, shall we say, less than conventional. From its inception until 1978, the journal was published exclusively on microfiche—a format now largely relegated to the dusty corners of archives, a testament to how rapidly technology moves, even in academia. One can only imagine the sheer delight of researchers in those days, squinting at tiny text under a magnifying glass, a true labor of love or perhaps just a lack of better options.

A significant transformation occurred in 1980, when George Heidorn took the helm. Under his stewardship, the journal shed its microfiche skin and embraced the tangible world of print, transitioning to a more accessible quarterly publication schedule. This move was pivotal, broadening its reach and solidifying its presence in the academic landscape. The journal then adopted its current, more streamlined title, Computational Linguistics, in 1984, a name that has since become synonymous with rigorous scholarship in the domain. Demonstrating a willingness to adapt to modern demands, the journal embraced the principle of open access in 2009, making its content freely available to a wider audience, which, one might argue, is the least it could do.

The journal’s standing in the academic community is, predictably, measured by metrics. According to the venerable Journal Citation Reports, the journal boasted a 2021 impact factor of 7.778. This figure, derived from the Web of Science (Social Sciences edition) by Clarivate Analytics, serves as a numerical proxy for influence, offering a convenient, if somewhat reductive, way to assess its perceived importance.

Editors-in-chief

The lineage of editors-in-chief who have overseen the intellectual direction and editorial integrity of Computational Linguistics is a list of individuals who, for better or worse, have shaped the discourse in the field. Each has borne the burden of maintaining the journal's standards, navigating the often-treacherous waters of academic submissions, and ensuring its continued relevance. It's a thankless task, really.

  • David G. Hays (1974–1978) – The visionary, or perhaps the unwitting pioneer, who started it all on microfiche.
  • George Heidorn (1980–1982) – The pragmatist who brought it into print and, presumably, saved countless eyeballs.
  • James F. Allen (1982–1993) – A long and distinguished tenure, implying either immense dedication or an inability to escape.
  • Julia Hirschberg (1993–2003) – Guided the journal through the tumultuous turn of the millennium.
  • Robert Dale (2003–2014) – A decade-long commitment, ensuring stability in a rapidly changing field.
  • Paola Merlo (2014–2018) – Maintained the journal's trajectory through a period of intense technological advancement.
  • Hwee Tou Ng (2018–2023) – Steered the publication through the recent, perpetually "unprecedented" years.
  • Wei Lu (2024–Present) – The current custodian, tasked with upholding a legacy built on microfiche and meticulous peer review.

See also

For those who find themselves irresistibly drawn to the intricate ecosystem surrounding Computational Linguistics, the following related entities offer further avenues of exploration:

  • Association for Computational Linguistics: The parent organization, the very entity for whom Computational Linguistics is published. Understanding the ACL is essential to grasping the broader context and community that this journal serves. It's where the ideas often germinate before they are subjected to the journal's scrutiny.
  • Transactions of the Association for Computational Linguistics: Another significant publication from the same association, often complementary in its scope and focus. It provides an additional, perhaps slightly different, lens through which to view the ongoing research and developments in computational linguistics. Because apparently, one journal isn't enough to contain all the brilliant minds.