Applied Linguistics Notes

Introduction

  • Applied Linguistics (AL) addresses social problems related to language, such as:
    1. Improving language teaching.
    2. Diagnosing speech pathologies.
    3. Enhancing translator and interpreter training.
    4. Creating valid language examinations.
    5. Evaluating bilingual programs.
    6. Determining population literacy levels.
    7. Analyzing language in texts.
    8. Advising on new mediums of instruction.
    9. Comparing language acquisition.
    10. Authenticating police transcripts.

Core Questions

  • What is applied linguistics?
  • How does it differ from linguistics?
  • How does it differ from second/foreign language teaching?

Definition Challenges

  • AL lacks a single, easy definition.
  • Vivian Cook: "Applied linguistics means many things to many people."
  • It is an Anglo-American term.
  • Founded at the University of Edinburgh in 1956 and the Center of Applied Linguistics in Washington D.C. in 1957.

Definitions of Applied Linguistics

  • Brumfit (1997): "The theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world problems in which language is a central issue."
  • Schmitt and Celce-Murcia (2002): Using knowledge about:
    • (a) language,
    • (b) how it is learned,
    • (c) how it is used,
      to solve real-world problems.
    • Traditionally focuses on second language acquisition theory, pedagogy, and their interface.
  • Grabe (2002): Focuses on resolving language-based problems for learners, teachers, lawyers, service providers, policy developers, translators, etc.

AILA Definition

  • International Association for Applied Linguistics (AILA): An interdisciplinary field dealing with practical problems of language and communication.

Longman Dictionary Definition

  • (1) The study of second and foreign language learning and teaching.
  • (2) The study of language and linguistics in relation to practical problems.

What Makes Applied Linguistics 'Applied'?

  • Applied subjects in higher education can be:
    • Disciplinary
    • Interdisciplinary

Disciplinary vs. Interdisciplinary Applied Subjects

  • Disciplinary:
    • Focuses on practical applications of a single branch of academic knowledge.
    • Example: Applied mathematics uses mathematical theories to solve problems in engineering, computer science, and economics.
  • Interdisciplinary:
    • Has no 'pure' or 'theoretical' equivalents.
    • Focuses on a broad practical domain.
    • Examples: Engineering and Education.
    • Education draws on psychology, sociology, philosophy, economics, and politics.

Distinct Identity of AL

  • AL is not a branch of linguistics or any other single discipline.
  • It possesses its own:
    • Concerns
    • Journals
    • Associations
    • Qualifications
    • Professional pathways

AL's Relationship with Linguistics and Other Fields

  • Applied linguists view linguistics as a key source of intellectual inspiration.
  • They also consider insights from biology, cultural studies, economics, education, philosophy, politics, psychology, and sociology.
  • Some approaches, like 'critical' applied linguistics, draw on postmodernist critical theory.

Scope of Applied Linguistics

  • Focuses on real-world problems where language is central.
  • Includes:
    • Language Teaching and Learning
    • Content Areas

Language Teaching and Learning

  • AL is the academic study of second language learning and teaching.
  • It addresses the question of the difference between applied linguistics and TEFL.
  • In the 20th century, the focus was on:
    • Foreign language learning and teaching.
    • Experienced language teachers seeking professional advancement.
    • Curriculum, syllabus, and materials design.
    • Language teaching methodology and classroom management.
    • Teaching the four 'macro' skills, pronunciation, language testing, and teacher education.

Grounding Decisions in Understanding

  • Decisions about language teaching should be based on a strong understanding of language and how learners acquire it.
  • Draws from:
    • Semantics
    • Pragmatics
    • Psycho-linguistics
    • Socio-linguistics
    • Discourse analysis
    • Phonetics
    • Morphology
    • Phonology
    • Syntax

Mainstream Education

  • Refers to state-funded and influenced educational contexts.
  • Focuses on language and education in formal contexts.
  • Micro level: Diagnosing and resolving communication problems in professional and workplace settings.
  • Research areas:
    • Bilingualism and multilingualism and their relation to schooling and first language literacy education.
  • Macro level: Analyzing national and international language planning and policy issues.
    • Includes language maintenance and loss and promoting linguistic human rights.

Issues of Justice and Equity

  • Inform developments in applied linguistics:
    • Forensic linguistics
    • Critical discourse analysis

Forensic Linguistics

  • Applies linguistic knowledge to the legal process.

Critical Discourse Analysis

  • Identifies and critiques how linguistic choices and language practices are used to manipulate public opinion and promote the interests of powerful groups by oppressing, disadvantaging, and discriminating against others.

Scope of Applied Linguistics

  • Focuses on real-world problems where language is a central issue.
  • Includes:
    • Translation studies
    • Lexicography (dictionary compilation)
    • Stylistics (study of linguistic style in texts)
    • Computational linguistics
    • Clinical linguistics
    • Speech therapy

Perspectives on Applied Linguistics

  • Some view AL narrowly as the study of second and foreign language learning and teaching.
  • Others view it more broadly as the study of language and linguistics in relation to practical problems.

Applied Linguistic Approaches to Language Problems

  • Defined as the theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world problems where language is central.

Investigating Language Problems

  • Example: Investigating whether standards of English grammar are declining.

Investigating vs. Problematizing

  • Investigating: Offers solutions to established problems.
  • Problematizing: Identifies previously unnoticed problems.

Methods of Investigation

  • Conduct a literature review.
  • Conduct empirical research by analyzing data from learners, teachers, and other parties.
  • Conduct theoretical examination and critique underlying ideas and assumptions.

English as a Lingua Franca (ELF)

  • ELF is given the status of English as the default language for international communication.
  • ELF refers to English as a shared language of communication between non-native speakers.
  • Example: Phonological and grammatical norms.

History of AL

  • Different countries:
    • USA
    • Australia
    • Britain
    • Europe (France)

The American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL)

  • Founded in 1977.
  • Mission: to improve lives and conditions in society by advancing knowledge and understanding of language-related issues.
  • AL in North America has roots in linguistics.
  • Much work addressing real-world language issues was done by North American linguists before AL was formally recognized.

The British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL)

  • Founded in 1967.
  • Mission: to advance education by promoting the study of language use, acquisition, and teaching, and by fostering inter-disciplinary collaboration.
  • In the 1960s and 1970s, AL was largely considered to be about language teaching.

The International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA)

  • Founded in France in 1964 (Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée).
  • Deals with aspects of individual linguistic and communicative competence (e.g., language acquisition, literacy, language disorders) and language-related problems in and between societies (e.g., language variation, linguistic discrimination, multilingualism, language conflict, language policy and language planning).

The Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA)

  • Australian AL focuses on mother tongue teaching and teaching English to immigrants.
  • Shows influence from continental Europe and the US.
  • ALAA was established in 1976.
  • Baynham (2001): Applied Linguistics has broadened its scope and contributes to various areas.

Scope of AL (Mouton de Gruyter)

  • Language acquisition (L1 and L2), psycho/neurolinguistics, language teaching, sociolinguistics, humor studies, pragmatics, discourse analysis/rhetorics, text/processing/translation, computational linguistics - machine translation, corpus linguistics, language control/dialectology.

What a Degree in Applied Linguistics Cannot Do

  • Will not qualify you to work as a speech therapist, lexicographer, or translator.
  • For these careers, vocational courses are needed.
  • AL is not a vocational subject like speech therapy or translation, nor is it a non-vocational academic subject like history or sociology.

Relationship with English Language Teaching

  • AL has a significant relationship with the English language teaching profession.
  • Many AL program enrollees are EFL teachers seeking higher degrees for better jobs.
  • An AL degree is not officially recognized as a teaching qualification in most countries.
  • It is a popular avenue for professional development among language teachers, especially those aiming to work in universities.