Preface - The Language of Pandemics

During this year 2020, all of us in the ESJ Family are celebrating the
ESJ 10th anniversary. When I was asked to edit a special edition, at first, I
was reluctant, because I really did not know what to propose. During those
months, the whole world was in total lockdown and the only communication
means were our telephones and computers. I did all my university lessons
online, all the institutional meetings online, I even met many of my students
online. Therefore, being forced to stay home, I decided to start this task that
was unknown to me and wonder into the Language of Pandemics. I invited
some of my dearest Colleagues, and some of them accepted to participate
with me in this unique experience; unique because I hope that we will not
have the chance again to live such an experience as the one we are living
during these strange days. The papers in this Special Issue use a variety of research methods and
they all describe with different angles and different viewpoints this
exceptional human condition. Furthermore, this Special Issue is aimed at
highlighting language in all its aspects and especially as a communication
and an exchange tool during this historical period.