Applied Linguistics 481c6f

Applied Linguistics

What‘s applied Linguistics • It is an inter an trans disciplinary approach • identifies, investigates, and offers solutions to language-related real life problems. • For Applied Linguistics, the central question is: - How far can existing models of description in linguistics be used to resolve the practical problems of language use we are concerned with? 12/28/2013

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Linguistics v/s Applied Linguistics • Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It endeavours to answer the question--what is language and how is represented in the mind? 12/28/2013

• Oriented to the solution of linguistic problems.

• It puts linguistic theories into practice in areas such as foreign language teaching, speech therapy, translation, and speech pathology 3

Defining the Scope of AL • “AL is the utilisation of the knowledge about the nature of language achieved by linguistic research for the improvement of the efficiency of some practical task in which language is a central component.” (Corder, 1974, p. 24)

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Defining the Scope of AL • “Whenever knowledge about language is used to solve a basic language-related problem, one may say that applied linguistics is being practiced. • AL is a technology which makes abstract ideas and research findings accessible and relevant to the real world; it mediates between theory and practice.” • (Strevens, 1992, p. 76)(Ibid.) 12/28/2013

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Defining the Scope of AL • • • • •

Therefore, applied linguistics involves a- what we know about language b- how it is learned c- how it is used • The primary concern of applied linguistics has been second language acquisition theory, second language pedagogy and the interrelationship of both areas.

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General divisions of linguistics Phonetics, the study of the physical properties of sounds of human language. Phonology, the study of sounds as discrete, abstract elements in the speaker's mind that distinguish meaning.

Morphology, the study of internal structures of words and how they can be modified. Syntax, the study of how words combine to form grammatical sentences .

Semantics, the study of the meaning of words (lexical semantics) and fixed word combinations (phraseology), and how these combine to form the meanings of sentences. Pragmatics, the study of how utterances are used (literally, figuratively, or otherwise) in communicative acts. Discourse analysis, the analysis of language use in texts (spoken, written, or signed) 12/28/2013

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What problems are related to language?

• Language learning problems • Language teaching problems • Literacy problems • Language problems (lang & culture) • Language policy and planning problems • Language assessment problems • Language use problems • Language and technology problems • Translation and interpretation problems •12/28/2013 Language pathology problems

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Scope of applied linguistics • • • • • • •

• Language teaching and learning • Language testing • Psycho- and neurolinguistics • Sociolinguistics • Discourse analysis • Computational linguistics • Translation studies

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Applied Linguistics: The Twentieth Century • Language teaching came into its own as a profession in the twentieth century. • The whole foundation on contemporary language teaching was developed during the early part of the twentieth century, as applied linguistic and others sought to develop principles and procedures for the design of teaching methods and materials, drawing on the developing fields of linguistics and psychology to a succession of proposals for the more effective and theoretically sound teaching methods.

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The Relation of Linguistics to Language Teaching • Both linguistics and language teaching takes language as their subject. Linguistics aims at exploring the general principles upon which all languages are constructed and operate as systems of communication in the societies in which they are used. The achievements of linguistic inquiry can be utilized for effective language teaching. The bridge between linguistics and language teaching is applied linguistics.