Manuscripts must be submitted in English (UK). If quotations from other languages appear in the manuscript, place the original in a footnote and a dynamic-equivalent translation in the body of the text or both in the text.
Contributors must submit one computer-generated copy of the manuscript to the editor(s). The computer-generated copy must be in Word for Windows, and must have an Abstract and Keywords. It must also be submitted in the Alternation style.
Attach a cover page containing the following information: The corresponding author’s full name, address, e-mail address, position, department, university/ institution, and telephone/ fax numbers. A brief 150 word summary of the biodata of each individual author, must accompany each submission too.
Manuscripts should on average range between 5000-10000 and book reviews between 800-1200 words. However, longer articles may he considered for publication.
Article layout can be consulted in all online published articles. The details are as follows:
Article Title: Times New Roman, bold, 17 pitch.
Author(s) name(s) and surname(s): Times New Roman, bold, 13 pitch.
Abstract topic: Times New Roman, bold, 13 pitch.
Abstract content: Times New Roman, normal font, 11 pitch.
Keywords: Times New Roman, normal font, 11 pitch.
First Level Headings: Times New Roman, bold, 13 pitch.
Second Level Headings: Times New Roman, bold, italicised, 13 pitch.
Third Level Headings: Times New Roman, italicised, 13 pitch.
Maps, diagrams and posters must be presented in print-ready form. Clear black and white or colour digitised photos (postcard size) or diagrams in pdf or jpeg may also be submitted.
Use footnotes sparingly. In order to enhance the value of the interaction between notes and text, we use footnotes and not endnotes.
Authors may use their own numbering systems in their manuscript.
Except for bibliographical references, abbreviations must include fullstops. The abbreviations (e.a.) = ‘emphasis added’; (e.i.o.) = ‘emphasis in original’; (i.a.) or [...] = ‘insertion added’ may be used.
The full bibliographical details of sources are provided only once at the end of the manuscript under References. References in the body of the manuscript should follow the following convention: Mkhize (2017:14) argues .... or, at the end of a reference/quotation: .... (Ngwenya 2017:20f).
The surname and initials of authors as these appears in the source must be used in the References section.
Review articles and book reviews must include a title for the contribution, as well as the following information concerning the book reviewed: title, author, place of publication, publisher, date of publication, number of pages and the print and/ or online, ISBN number.
In the text as well as the References, all book, journal, newspaper and magazine titles must be in italics.
The format for the References section is as follows.
(Please note that each web-url, and the date the source was accessed, appears on its own line.)
Journal article by one author
- Fulela, B. 2008. Checking the Post: Derrida and the Apartheid Debate. Alternation 15,2: 11 – 37. Available at: http://alternation.ukzn.ac.za/Files/docs/15.2/02%20Fulela.pdf. (Accessed on 08 May 2017.)
Journal article by two authors
- Mkhize, N. & N. Ndimande-Hlongwa 2014. African Languages, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), and the Transformation of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Higher Education. Alternation 21,2: 10 – 37. Available at: http://alternation.ukzn.ac.za/Files/docs/21.2/02%20Mkh.pdf. (Accessed on 08 May 2017.)
Book by one author
- Moran, S. 2009. Representing Bushmen: South Africa and the Origin of Language. Rochester: University of Rochester Press. (Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora, Book 38.)
Book by one editor
- Smit, J.A. (ed.) 1999. Body, Identity, Sub-cultures and Repression in Texts from Africa. Durban: CSSALL.
Book by two editors
- Dhunpath, R. & R. Vithal (eds.) 2012. Alternative Access to Higher Education: Underprepared Students or Underprepared Institutions? Cape Town: Pearson Publishers.
Chapter in an edited book
- Smit, J.A. & J. van Wyk 2001. Literary Studies in Post-apartheid South Africa. In Zegeye, A. & R. Kriger (eds.): Culture in the New South Africa after Apartheid. Volume 2. Cape Town: Kwela Books & History on Line.
Translated book
- Foucault, M. 1977. Discipline and Punish. Sheridan, A. (trans.). New York: Pantheon.
Online resource
- Jansen, J. & P. Vale (Co-chairs.) 2011. Consensus Study on the State of the Humanities in South Africa: Status, Prospects and Strategies. Pretoria: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). Available at:
https://www.assaf.org.za/files/2011/09/2011-Humanity-final-proof-11-August-2011.pdf.
(Accessed on 08 May 2017.)
Alternation has copyright of all its publications. In the event of an author wanting to re-publish an article or book review, written permission must be requested from the Editor-in-Chief. The request will be approved, within reason.