Applied Linguistics

Lecture # 7

Language variation language varies in geographical and social space. Causes behind language variation Roles of participants, function of speech event,

nature of medium, roles of a person, professions

Language varieties: Code, register, pidgin, creole, dialect etc.

Review of Lecture # 6

Definition: The use of language –related research in a wide variety of fields, including language acquisition, language teaching, literacy, literary studies, gender studies, speech therapy, discourse analysis, censorship, workplace communication, media studies, translation studies, lexicography, and forensic linguistics.

Applied Linguistics

Introduction: Applied Linguistics is the

collective term for the various applications of linguistic (and phonetic) scholarship to related practical fields – foreign language, teaching, lexicography, translation, speech pathology and therapy, error analysis etc.

Applied Linguistics

In the widest sense, Applied Linguistics

borders on other disciplines e.g. sociology, anthropology, psychology, biology, stylistics etc.

Speech therapists, literary critics, translators, communication engineers, language teachers, syllabus formers, educational planners, text book writers, dictionary makers have found linguistics useful for their work

Applied Linguistics (Intro..)

Applied Linguistics is a consumer, or user,

not a producer of theories.

An inter-disciplinary area of study

It uses knowledge of how languages work within different applied settings.

Applied Linguistics (Intro..)

It examines the structure of

language & its role in communication.

It explores how children acquire language.

It studies how second language learners develop skills.

Applied Linguistics (Intro..)

The study investigates how the

social & cultural environment interacts with language.

It talks about the practical application

of language

Applied Linguistics (Intro..)

Use in language Writing better text books, translating them

and teaching them becomes easy if a person knows a language and its structure.

A language learner can learn a language more easily if he knows the system and sounds than through haphazard, hit or miss manner

Applied Linguistics

Use in language (contd..) A foreign language learner can acquire

accurate pronunciation with the help of phonetics.

Researchers can conduct research on language if they are aware of the rules of the language and the variations in language while moving across disciplines and geographical regions

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Use in Psychology & Neuro-surgery Psychologists and neuro-surgeons interested

in brains and principles of learning A child’s attempt to learn a language, his

ability to categorize, his loss of control over his linguistic skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening with understanding), his conceptual capabilities and failures – all help the specialists.

Applied Linguistics (contd..)

Use in communication media Engineers who know properties of speech

design better telephones – that operate when you dictate rather than dial a number

Dictation typewriter instead of touch-typewriter

translation work by machines instead of humans

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Use in media (contd..) Better radios and televisions People associated with media can take

help from speech therapists, if they need

Sound effects on microphones can be improved- helps sound engineers

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Use in law Voice print unique like thumb- impression Officers of law can apprehend criminals

by the help of tapes of recorded conversations

Use in Philosophy Philosophers can take fresh look at

controversies

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Use in Philosophy (contd..) Philosophers, by their acquaintance with

linguists can try to resolve some old controversies – rationalists’ point of view and empiricists’ point of view about the nature of learning

Can also study structure of meaning and validity of forming linguistic universals

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Use in Sociology Sociologists can look at the interaction of

social groups, role of languages and dialects in group dynamics, problems created by bilingualism, polylingualism etc.

Anthropologists can study a community better

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Use in Mathematics Mathematicians interested in the formal

properties of natural languages and how meaning is mapped into sound.

Such information useful in devising computer languages

Teachers of composition can diagnose students’ problems and suggest remedies

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

study for personal satisfaction Study of language satisfies intellectual

urge Knowledge of mysteries of language

gives us satisfaction and pleasures Language can be studied for its own

sake just like literature

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Conclusion Study of linguistics quenches linguistic thirst

Gives knowledge of the properties and mysteries of knowledge

Illuminates ancient and pre-historic culture Helps in improving and reforming spellings,

vocabulary, pronunciation, usage, interpretation.

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Conclusion (contd…) Some day advances in linguistics

may help in creation of some new international language.

Advances may help in developing new kinds of talking machines

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

Conclusion (contd…) Advances may help in

understanding the language of any other species, if found on any other planet.

The study is also useful in the information of scripts and spellings.

Applied Linguistics (contd…)

The study is also useful in production

of teaching materials, dictionaries, grammars and text books.

Applied linguistics has extended its boundaries so much that it has entered the domains of several fields of knowledge and provided remedial measures to remove several problems

Applied Linguistics (contd..)