English proficiency and national competitiveness in sustainable development research based on a bibliometric analysis

Historically and socially, English has progressively solidified its role as the primary language of scientific communication. However, a distinction exists between the academic English employed in scientific discourse and the everyday English used in daily interactions. While most researchers who speak English as a second language receive lifelong training in the language, the issue of English acting as a barrier to scientific research remains underexplored and warrants further investigation. Utilizing bibliometric analysis, this study examines the research landscape concerning the impact of English proficiency on scientific and technological advancement. It investigates the current state of research, key research hotspots, and emerging trends in this field. Additionally, the paper explores the interplay between language proficiency and scientific-technological progress, using marine engineering as a case study. The analysis reveals that current research on academic English predominantly focuses on educational and classroom settings, with insufficient attention paid to real-world scientific research contexts. Furthermore, it highlights that the dominance of English in science compels L2 speakers to depend heavily on the language for technological progress, yet linguistic barriers may result in inaccurate knowledge acquisition and impede development. This study represents an interdisciplinary fusion of engineering with fields like linguistics and education. By offering insights into mitigating language-related challenges, this study aims to enhance global scientific collaboration and support the achievement of sustainable development goals.