Semestre1

Lecture 1

                             General Introduction: Branches of Linguistics

Linguistics, the scientific study of language, has several subfields depending on the perspective of study. It can focus on languages generally or specifically, analyze their historical development (diachronic) or current state (synchronic), and explore language as a system (micro-linguistics) or in broader contexts (macro-linguistics). It can be theoretical or applied to practical fields.

1. General vs. Descriptive Linguistics:

• General linguistics studies language universally, providing concepts and categories.
• Descriptive linguistics examines specific languages, using general linguistics' concepts to confirm or refute hypotheses.

2. Diachronic vs. Synchronic Linguistics:

• Diachronic linguistics studies language changes over time (historical).
• Synchronic linguistics examines language at a specific point without considering history (non-historical).

3. Microlinguistics vs. Macrolinguistics:

• Microlinguistics focuses on language structure and system, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
• Macrolinguistics explores language in broader contexts, including:
• Sociolinguistics: Language and society.
• Psycholinguistics: Mental processes in language use and learning.
• Neurolinguistics: Brain functions in language processing.
• Discourse Analysis: Structure of larger language units (e.g., conversations).
• Forensic Linguistics: Language and law.
• Computational Linguistics: Language processing through technology.
• Anthropological Linguistics: Language and culture.
• Cognitive Linguistics: Interaction of language and cognition.

4. Theoretical vs. Applied Linguistics:

• Theoretical linguistics focuses on developing language theories without practical application.
• Applied linguistics addresses real-world problems using insights from linguistics and other disciplines.

 

Lecture 2

                           Definition of Applied Linguistics

Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to address practical language and communication issues by applying theories, methods, and findings from linguistics and related disciplines. Despite its diverse scope, it primarily focuses on real-world problems where language plays a central role.

Key Definitions:

1. International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA):
   Describes applied linguistics as addressing practical language and communication problems through linguistic theories, methods, and results.
2. American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL):
   Views the field as a knowledge-generating discipline using insights from humanities and social sciences to tackle language-related issues.
3. Widdowson (1984):
   Applied linguistics leverages theoretical language studies to solve real-world problems.
4. Brumfit (1991):
   Focuses on providing solutions to language-centered issues in practical settings.
5. Schmitt & Celce-Murcia (2010):
   Applied linguistics uses knowledge about language, its learning, and usage to address real-world problems.
6. Cook (2003):
   Positions applied linguistics as bridging language knowledge with real-world decision-making.

Common Themes in Definitions:

• Practical orientation: Solutions to real-world problems.
• Interdisciplinary approach: Drawing from linguistics, psychology, sociology, and education.
• Expanding scope: Reflecting the evolving role of language in diverse contexts.
• Outcomes: Recommendations for policy-making, education, and communication.

 

 

 

 

Lecture 3

                      The Need for and Scope of Applied Linguistics

Real-World Problems Addressed by Applied Linguistics:

Examples of practical issues include:

• Diagnosing and addressing language development disorders (e.g., speech therapy).
• Analyzing linguistic patterns in forensic investigations.
• Enhancing language learning and teaching effectiveness.
• Standardizing language usage in policy-making and planning.
• Improving communication in workplace and legal contexts.
• Developing educational tools and strategies for multilingual settings.

Key Questions Explored:

Cook (2003) highlights critical language-related questions, such as:

• Should children maintain their dialect or adopt the standard form of a language?
• How should schools handle multilingual education?
• What constitutes effective language translation or interpretation?

Scope of Applied Linguistics:

Based on McCarthy (2001) and Cook (2003), applied linguistics spans the following areas:

1. Language and Education:
• First Language Education: Focus on native language skills development.
• Additional Language Education: Includes second and foreign language acquisition.
• Clinical Linguistics: Application of linguistic science to speech and language disorders.
• Language Testing: Assessment of linguistic proficiency and achievement.
2. Language, Work, and Law:
• Workplace Communication: Examining language use in professional settings.
• Language Planning: Developing language policies and educational frameworks.
• Forensic Linguistics: Analyzing language in legal processes and investigations.
3. Language, Information, and Effect:
• Literary Stylistics: Analyzing linguistic choices in literature.
• Critical Discourse Analysis: Exploring how language conveys ideology and power.
• Translation and Interpretation: Studying the process of converting text or speech between languages.
• Lexicography: Compiling dictionaries and language reference materials.
• Information Design: Presenting language effectively in advertisements and technical materials.

Expanded Scope by Groom and Littlemore (2011):

• Language Teaching Methodology: Identifying effective teaching techniques.
• Syllabus and Materials Design: Structuring learning resources.
• Second Language Acquisition: Understanding how second languages are learned.
• Sociolinguistics and Critical Discourse Analysis: Investigating language-society relationships.
• Translation Studies: Examining choices in translation for naturalness and fidelity.

Applied linguistics is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that addresses a broad spectrum of language-related problems in education, law, communication, and beyond. Its evolving scope reflects the complexities of language use in modern society, offering solutions grounded in linguistic theory and empirical research.

 

Lecture 4

                      First and Second Language Acquisition

1. Definition of First and Second Language Acquisition

• Language Acquisition: The process of gaining linguistic competence, whether in a first or second language.
• First Language Acquisition :
• Refers to how children unconsciously acquire their mother tongue during early childhood, typically by the age of three.
• Terms such as "first language," "native language," and "mother tongue" are often used interchangeably.
• Second Language Learning :
• Learning a language other than thefirst language, often through formal instruction or exposure.

 

Lecture 5

                 Five Hypotheses about Second Language Acquisition

1. The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis

• Distinction: Adults develop competence in a second language through acquisition and learning:

2. The Natural Order Hypothesis

• Observation: Grammatical structures are acquired in a predictable sequence, regardless of first language background.

3. The Monitor Hypothesis

4. The Input Hypothesis

• Key Proposition: Language acquisition occurs when learners are exposed to comprehensible input slightly beyond their current level (i+1i + 1i+1).

5. The Affective Filter Hypothesis

• Concept: Affective factors (e.g., motivation, self-confidence, anxiety) influence language acquisition.

Lecture 6

                                        Societal Multilingualism

Societal multilingualism refers to the coexistence and regular use of more than one language within a single society, where different languages are employed across various domains of daily life such as education, administration, media, and interpersonal communication. In such contexts, languages may serve different functions depending on the situation, the speakers involved, and the institutional setting. Societal multilingualism often develops as a result of historical contact, migration, colonisation, or globalisation, and it shapes patterns of interaction and communication within the community. The presence of multiple languages influences language policies, educational practices, and public discourse, requiring individuals and institutions to navigate linguistic diversity in systematic ways. As a result, societal multilingualism becomes a defining feature of how communication is organised at the collective level and how linguistic resources are managed within a society.

Lecture 7

                                         Language and Identity

Language plays a central role in human life because it goes beyond the simple exchange of information and becomes deeply connected to how individuals understand themselves and the world around them. Through language, people express thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and experiences, and these expressions contribute to shaping personal and collective meanings. Language allows individuals to name realities, describe social practices, and transmit knowledge across generations, which gives it a powerful role in shaping perspectives and ways of thinking. In educational, professional, and everyday contexts, language influences interaction, interpretation, and understanding, making it an essential element in how people construct meaning and relate to others. For this reason, discussions of identity often take language as a starting point, since it provides the symbolic resources through which individuals articulate their sense of self and make sense of their social experiences.