Applied Linguistics 2 nd Topic Linguistics and Applied

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Applied Linguistics 2 nd Topic Linguistics and Applied Linguistics : A difficult Relationship To

Applied Linguistics 2 nd Topic Linguistics and Applied Linguistics : A difficult Relationship To approach the three areas (Language and Education, Language, Work and Law, and Language, information and Effect ) that are included in the scope of applied linguistics, one can relate them to Linguistics, as an academic discipline which concerns with the study of language in general, looks for generalities underlying actual appearances of language and represents an abstract idealization of language rather than the way it is experienced in the real world.

One influential type of idealization is that used in Generative Linguistics introduced by Noam

One influential type of idealization is that used in Generative Linguistics introduced by Noam Chomsky from the late 1950 s onward. According to Chomsky, the proper subject matter of linguistics should be the representation of language in the mind (competence), rather than the way in which people actually use language in everyday life (performance). He claims that this internal language is essentially biological rather than social and is separate from outside experience.

This language is to be investigated not through the study of actual language use

This language is to be investigated not through the study of actual language use in context but rather through the consideration of invented sentences intuitively felt to be acceptable instances the language. In studying the relationship between the two, Applied Linguistics questioning whether such a connection can be made and, if so, what can then be made of the connection. In the same way of Chomsky’s view, Sociolinguistics focuses much on the relation between language and society. It attempts to find systematic relationships between social groups/classes and contexts and the variable ways in which languages are used.

In Functional Linguistics the concern is with language as a means of communication, the

In Functional Linguistics the concern is with language as a means of communication, the purposes it fulfils, and how people actually use their language. Recently, What is known as Corpus Linguistics concentrates on searching and studying enormous bodies of language stored in banks (databanks). Using specific types of searching, Corpus Linguistics can produce extensive information about words and expressions and their frequencies.

In comparison with Chomsky’s, these approaches to linguistic study seem much closer to the

In comparison with Chomsky’s, these approaches to linguistic study seem much closer to the reality of experience, and therefore more relevant to the concerns of Applied Linguistics. However, the purpose of Chomsky’s view and these approaches is to describe and explain and not, as in Applied Linguistics, to engage with decision making. Practically, Applied Linguistics is not simply a matter of matching up findings about language with pre-existing problems but of using findings to explore how the perception of problems might be changed.

The methodology of Applied Linguistics must therefore be complex. It must refer to the

The methodology of Applied Linguistics must therefore be complex. It must refer to the findings and theories of linguistics, choosing among the different schools and approaches, and making these theories relevant to the problem in hand. Meanwhile, it must investigate and take into account the experience and needs of the people involved in the problem itself. In doing so, Applied Linguistics establishes a reciprocal relationship between experience and expertise, between professional concerns with language problems and Linguistics.