Researching the research article in Cameroon English

This contribution discusses three variables of structure, citation practice, and role relationships in research articles in Cameroon English, within the background of conventional practice in the discourse community. Data is taken from 40 papers published in 7 issues of 4 journals from two state universities in Cameroon; and corroborated with a similar database from three universities in Europe. Findings indicate that articles written by Cameroonian academics display a number of differences from what is known in the literature. First, more than 80% of 40 research article introductions analysed do not situate the research in the context of on-going discussion in the field; thereby ignoring an essential Move category in the CARS (Create-a-Research-Space) model (Swales 1990). Second, while in-text citations align with the general pattern of integral and non-integral, there exist subtle differences in citation language forms; with the outcome that Cameroonian authors do not often use various options within these two broad categories. Further, reader engagement and solidarity claim, which are often achieved through the use of devices such as inclusive pronouns and directives, are not common place. This downplays the role of the reader in the text – an often less coveted rhetorical practice in the discipline.