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Topics in Applied Linguistics 405-406
Definitions of Applied Linguistics from Expert
1. Applied Linguistics (AL) provides the theoretical and descriptive foundations for the investigation and solution of language-related problems, especially those of language education (first-language, second-language and foreign-language teaching and learning), but also problems of translation and interpretation, lexicography, forensic linguistics and (perhaps) clinical linguistics.’ (Dick Hudson’s online survey of BAAL British Association of Applied Linguistics members)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/AppliedLinguistics/AppLingDefining.htm
2. Applied Linguistics is an area of work that deals with language use in professional settings, translation, speech pathology, literacy, and language education; and it is not merely the application of linguistic knowledge to such settings but is a semiautonomous and interdisciplinary . . . domain of work that draws on but is not dependent on areas such as sociology, education, anthropology, cultural studies, and psychology."
(Alastair Pennycook, Critical Applied Linguistics: A Critical Introduction. Routledge, 2001)
http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/appliedlinguisticsterm.htm
3. Applied Linguistics itself may be seen as an autonomous, problem-solving disciple, concerned broadly with language (mainly, but not exclusively second language) education and language problems in society’ (Steve McDonough, 2002)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/AppliedLinguistics/AppLingDefining.htm
Similarities and Differences
Similarities
The first similarity between those three definitions of Applied Linguistics is that Dick Hudson, Alastair Pennycook and Steve McDonough have a similarity in the term of the focus or the subject of Applied Linguistics. They said that it is related to language-related problems. The second similarity is that they also stated that Applied Linguistics concerns on language education, whether it is first-language, second-language or foreign-language teaching and learning.
Differences
Alastair Pennycook gave additional information in his definition of Applied Linguistics. He said that domain of Applied Linguistics’ work that draws on but is not dependent on areas such as sociology, education, anthropology, cultural studies, and psychology. It is different with the other two experts who did not mention this additional information. Dick Hudson also gave a wider area of Applied Linguistics that is not only on language education (first-language, second-language and foreign-language teaching and learning), but also problems of translation and interpretation, lexicography, forensic linguistics and (perhaps) clinical linguistics.
The Scope of Applied Linguistics
Kaplan (1980) described the scope of Applied Linguistics by an illustration as follow:
