A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS

APPLIED LINGUISTICS: HISTORY AND DEFINITION

Applied linguistics isn't simple to characterize since individuals would think of

numerous things when it comes to Applied linguistics. In reality, those who practice
applied linguistics don't agree upon a certain definition. Therefore, there's a crevice
that has to be filled in terms of characterizing Applied linguistics. The definition issue
is due to the need of assention on what is that to be connected? According to Kaplan
and Widdowson " A mediation between theory and practice ", as Hudson said " a
synthesis from a variety of disciplines including linguistics", and the last, Corder
implied that "presupposition of linguistics because a person cannot apply what he does
not know".

Furthermore, an excessive area of applied linguistics that is called critical applied

linguistics stress the following concerns and issues as identity, ethics, disparity, desire
and the reproduction of otherness that have not been up to now considered to be linked
to applied linguistics. What have been refered is an attempt to use applied linguistics
concerns and activities to explain and analyze what applied linguistics methods and
purposes are. This is called the ostensive definition approach.

These ostensive views have an issue since they truly don't offer
assistance in making syllabuses in Applied linguistics they don't offer
assistance in deciding what things that are required to be included in the profession.
Those who contend the dictionary definition that applied linguistics has a core do not
accept ostensive definitions. For example, Widdowson claims that applied linguistics
has got a core and he reject the claim that says that applied linguistics could be a blend
of numerous disciplines.

Widdowson and Cook claims that "the task of applied linguistics is to mediate between
linguistics and language use". In addition Guy Cook defines "the academic discipline
concerned with the relation of knowledge about language to decision making in that
real world". However the span of Applied linguistics is still unclear. He attempted to
make a boarder lines to the areas of concern in applied linguistics as consisting of
language and education, language, work and law and language, information and effect.
The most crucial thing is that applied linguistics must be seccured from the claim that
says that language is everywhere, then applied linguistics is the science of everything.

SOURCE AND TARGET

It is important to ask what the sources and the target of applied linguistics are,
ofcourse, apparently, when once mentioned applied linguistics, the first thing comes
into mind is simply linguistics as it relate to linguistics. Eventough linguistics is very
essential in Applied linguistic, it is not the only sources takes from. Applied linguistics
has other sources such as psychology, sociology, education, measurement theory and
so on. Furthermore, It is straightforward that the main target of applied linguistics has
to do with language teaching includes speech therapy, translation and language
planning.

EMERGENCE OF THE TERM APPLIED LINGUISTICS

Language Learning Journal of Michigan University in 1948, firstly mentioned in its

article the term of applied linguistics, which was called Language learning in 1967.
However, the term-applied linguistics meant the implementation of linguistics. One of
the editors has highlighted the wide range of theories and research methods that are
utilized to examine language studies in 1993. However, doing this cost a price which is
abandoning the term applied linguistics. In this journal, the editor stressed his
interpretation on applied linguistics because he thought that the reader of the journal
would understand a journal of research in language studies as a functional
interpretation of applied linguistics.

RESTRICTION OF THE SCOPE

During the 1960s and 1970, it was confessed that applied linguistics was about
language teaching. This was vital since there was a need for language teaching
especially English after the Second World War. This indicated that some of teachers,
trainers and supervisors lacked language knowledge. It is acknowledged that Applied
linguistics attempting to elucidate language problems that people face in the real
world. Then, the scope of applied linguistics should not be restricted to language
teaching only. In fact, the scope should be broadening to cover language acquisition
either the mother tongue or a target language, psych/neuro linguistics, sociolinguistics
and so on.

SOLUTION OF TERMINOLOGY PROBLEM

Corder proposed the idea that applied linguistics in only limited to language teaching.
This idea was open to feedback since applied linguistics is opened to other sources like
education, psychology, sociology and so on. Spolsky argued that applied linguistics is
educational linguistics. Other scientists claimed that applied linguistics cover an area
more extensive than language teaching. Each educational institution in America,
Europe and Australia grant a course in linguistics analysis in terms of applied
linguistics curriculum. These courses are about sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics or
second language acquisition.

REFERENCES

1."History and Definition" of Applied Linguistics, (ch.1) by Alan Davies (2007), An

Introduction to Applied Linguistics, Edinburg University Press.