Introduction to a very special issue

Abstract

Issue number 19 of Revista de Lenguas para Fines Específicos is a very special one for all of us in the LFE editorial team and the Department of Filología Moderna at ULPGC, since it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first issue of this scientific publication. It was in June 1993 when our colleague and friend, and now our Honorary Editor, Dr Santiago Henríquez, enthusiastically presented his LFE project with a first volume he called “number 0”. With this journal, he intended to create a forum for the practical and theoretical discussion of aspects concerning the formal study of specialized languages, but also aspects related to the teaching and the learning of these varieties. At that moment, the field counted with many professionals in Spain, and these scholars significantly contributed to the creation of a bulk of literature in this speciality, some of which has appeared within the pages of LFE. Dr Henriquez’s initiative was very welcomed and his constant efforts have fruitfully continued over the last twenty years, despite the difficulties.

It has been a great honour for us to collaborate and work steadily for the consolidation and continuous improvement of LFE. The journal has gradually increased its reach and prestige with international coverage and is now indexed in a considerable number of data-bases. It aspires, however, to gaining more leadership in the field. It is our firm belief that this goal can be achieved with the invincible strength and active involvement of our hardworking and enthusiastic editorial team. We would also like to thank all our contributors throughout these two decades because their good work has made this project possible from its inceptions.

This issue is certainly the fulfillment of a project that started twenty years ago in Dr Henriquez’s talented, active and courageous mind; but it also represents an exciting challenge for the future. We are fully aware that the permanence and further amelioration of LFE requires great effort and determination, but we are all willing to accept the challenge as we are well prepared to face it up. We have just started working for the next up-and-coming twenty issues of LFE. We must wish ourselves good fortune in our endeavours.