Question:
Submitted by Mehran Darabi, Azad University, Iran
- What is the position of applied linguistics in relation to other language-related disciplines?
- What are some future directions in applied linguistics? Are corpus linguistics and CALL possible future directions?
Dr. Richards responds:
Applied linguistics refers to the study of language in relation to real-world issues. Language teaching is one branch of applied linguistics, but applied linguistics also sometimes includes such things as language and the law, language planning, and language in the media. Applied linguistics differs from other fields of language study that may have a descriptive or explanatory purposes but do not seek to resolve issues in education or society.
Corpus linguistics and CALL have been a part of applied linguistics for many years. More recent issues in applied linguistics include World Englishes, the use of technology and the internet in language learning and teaching, translanguage language use as well as identity in language learning.