Introducing Applied Linguistics Tópicos de LA Profa. Marília Mendes Ferreira 2016/1

Series Editor´s preface “The view taken of applied linguistics in the (...)series is that of a theorising approach to practical experience in the language professions, notably, but not exclusively, those concerned with language learning and teaching. It is concerned with the problems, the processes, the mechanisms and the purpose of language in use.”p.vii Theorising= two-way relationship between theory and practice

Preface “(...) Applied Linguistics (...) is best understood by doing it rather than by studying or reading about it”

Chapter 1: history and definitions -Difficult to define -Best understood by practice, experiencing -“amelioration of language problems” (p.1) what kind of content will lead to skills to achieve this goal? -”to solve or at least ameliorate social problems involving language” (p.1) -applied= “put to practical use, x too theoretical, abstract”p.2 Applied implies applying a previous conceived theory? Can applied be also theory? How is this application done? Critically? Uncousciously?

Linguistics Discipline which studies human language and aims to provide an idealization (model, abstraction) of language that explains its behavior. A particular view of linguistics is given here: Chomskian one which concentrates on competence rather than performance. Idealized language, idealized speaker → sentence Applied linguistics emerged due to extreme formalism of Linguistics 1980´s linguistics also has become interested in more language use related issues.

Who does AL? 1) Applied + linguistics (traditional view) Linguists who are not formalist adopt this position Linguistics already concern for language use, its use in the community so it is an issue of using linguistic knowledge to solve these problems Linguistics Applied linguistics

2) Applied linguistics encompass Linguistics (extreme view) Underlying argument: all knowledge should be of practical use Applied linguistics linguistics

3) Linguists who are involved in applied /practical issues Insufficient knowledge, need to work with other professionals Who really does that? Anyone? What is the training of an applied linguist?

AL x L AL is not a sub-field of L; it does not further develop linguistic knowledge AL is concerned about solving language problems BUT Some expect that AL should have some linguistic component in its course but not the other way round. Some AL views Pit Corder: linguistics applied (AL depends on linguistics) Van Els, David Ingram- linguistics is one source of knowledge to AL (AL does not depend solely on linguistics) Kaplan, Widdowson, Brrumfit: AL should develop its own theories (AL should be a discipline, not dependent on other fields)

Another definition of applied linguistics “the theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world problems in which language is a central issue.” (p.9) Brazil nowadays (in pairs discuss it) National curriculum base Refugees and their communication needs Literacy –citenzenship in Brazilian society What else?

The role of applied linguistics 1)The study of L2 or FL learning and teaching 2)The study of language and linguistics in relation to practical problems Fields: Sociology, psychology, anthropology, information theory, linguistics Practical issues: syllabus design, speech therapy, language planning

Definition of applied linguistics “the application of linguistic theories, descriptions and methods to the solution of language problems which have arisen in a range of human, cultural and social contexts”. (p.10) Which view is this one? Subject or discipline view? Hallyday et al. (1964:138) “Applied linguistics starts when a description is specifically made, or an existing description used, for a further purpose which lies outside the linguistic sciences” (p.10)

Criticism of AL Favours the language of imperalism (Phillipson, 1992) Sampson: Linguistics should not be concerned about application

Praise for AL Honorable role “focus on inquiry, critical self-examination, new ideas, enriched the profession” (p.10) Solve problems

Al: source of change? Human issues desire for change

Linguistics applied Origin: European philological tradition (Jakobson) Language teaching is part of linguists´problem USA: linguistic description for cultural analysis (anthropology) Application of linguistic theories Applied Linguistics BAAL (1965) Had first hand experience on social problems linguistis were addressing AL- way to look and conceptualize the problems (p.14)

Language as part of cultural artifact (USA) X GB Language for communication Context of situation – comes from linguistics to solve problems Linguistics applied

Origins of AL New vocational need US teaching languages during and after II world war Feeling to go beyond language description 1948 a conference was organized in USA to discuss issues of language learning and teaching A jornal was launched: Language learning 1956 : school of AL in University of Edingburgh, UK 1959: a center for AL in Washington, DC,USA 1964: National associations got together to form AILA (International Association of Applied Linguistics) 1967:BAAL Australia: AL focuses on immigrants´languages

Homework 1) Chapter 2 Read and summarize (due on 29/02) 2) In pairs choose a problem suitable to AL From Brazil Should involve language use in society Current (from the past 2 years at most) The text should have Statement of this problem, explanation of it, explanation why it is an AL issue, and how Al researchers are dealing with it (find 2 references and summarize them explaining how they are dealing, discussing, ameliorating, solving the problem). (Due on 07/03) Class 29th (lab class)