As immigration and mobility increases, so do interactions between people from different linguistic backgrounds. Yet while linguistic diversity offers many benefits, it also comes with a number of challenges. In seven empirical articles and one commentary, this Special Issue addresses some of the most significant language challenges facing researchers in the 21st century: the power language has to form and perpetuate stereotypes, the contribution language makes to intersectional identities, and the role of language in shaping intergroup relations. By presenting work that aims to shed light on some of these issues, the goal of this Special Issue is to (a) highlight language as integral to social processes and (b) inspire researchers to address the challenges we face. To keep pace with the world’s constantly evolving linguistic landscape, it is essential that we make progress toward harnessing language’s power in ways that benefit 21st century globalized societies.

中文翻译：

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序言：21 世纪的语言挑战

随着移民和流动性的增加，不同语言背景的人之间的互动也在增加。然而，虽然语言多样性提供了许多好处，但它也带来了许多挑战。在七篇实证文章和一篇评论中，本特刊解决了 21 世纪研究人员面临的一些最重要的语言挑战：权力语言必须形成和延续刻板印象，语言对交叉身份的贡献，以及语言在塑造群际关系。通过介绍旨在阐明其中一些问题的工作，本特刊的目标是 (a) 强调语言是社会进程不可或缺的一部分，以及 (b) 激励研究人员解决我们面临的挑战。为了跟上世界不断变化的语言环境，