In common with a number of other areas of academic study, English is, ipso facto, the lingua franca of popular music studies. As a result, many readers of English remain unaware of interesting, noteworthy writings in other languages. Members of the editorial group of Popular Music have long shared concerns about this situation. Accordingly, and as funds permit, we intend to commission and publish first English translations of academic writing which, for members of other language communities, has had some significant impact. The initial such venture appears in this issue, a 1964 essay by Umberto Eco, translated by Franco Fabbri.
We would welcome from readers suggestions of other non-Anglophone academic essays which deserve wider circulation and would produce benefit from appearing in the pages of Popular Music. Please send suggestions to Allan Moore using popularmusic@allanfmoore.org.uk.
