Research has become a key element in the knowledge-based society with its role of producing and disseminating results. In this context, scientific publishing becomes the means by which research activity and knowledge production are circulated to the scientific community and society at large. However, there are factors influencing the system of scientific publications in every national community or country that have to be taken into consideration. The author discusses the effects of the Spanish research system on scholars and publications, with particular reference to the humanities, and the factors affecting this system. Recent research policy in Spain has moved scholars to publish internationally and adopt the linguistic and rhetorical conventions that characterise the discourse of the international English-speaking community. Consequently, all participants in knowledge production and dissemination have joined in a concerted effort to elevate the quality and standards of national scientific publications to obtain international visibility and recognition.