2017م - 1444هـ
An_Introduction_to_Applied_Linguistics_I



An Introduction to Applied Linguistics



Introduction :



Applied Linguistics (AL) is considered a new and burgeoning

discipline. “Applied Linguistics . . . has undergone a significant

broadening of its scope and now contributes its theoretical perspectives to

a range of areas” (Baynham, 2001, p. 26). However, what exactly is

meant by AL is quite controversial and somehow vague. It is described

differently by many scholars. Davies (2007) brought a group of

descriptions of AL by some prominent figures:

A mediation between theory and practice (Kaplan and Widdowson

1992: 76); a synthesis of research from a variety of disciplines,





including linguistics (Hudson 1999); ‘it presupposes linguistics …

one cannot apply what one does not know’ (Corder 1973: 7); it is

‘understood as an open field, in which those inhabiting or passing

through simply show a common commitment to the potential value

of dialogue with people who are different’ (Rampton 1997: 14). (p.