Applied Linguistics
Towards a New Integration?
Lars Evensen [+–]
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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Department of Applied Linguistics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology,
PAPERBACK PUBLISHED IN JULY 2015
The nature of applied linguistics is an issue that has reappeared again and again over several decades. The established paradigm met severe difficulty during the 1960s, but has never been replaced by a coherent alternative. The major aim of this book is to present a new approach to the discussion about the nature of applied linguistics, one that investigates its deeper theory of science underpinnings. A second important aim is to explore what an alternative might look like, granted diverse developments since the original paradigm began to be questioned. Rather than argue the case for one specific alternative, the book suggest a viable tertium comparationis for intellectual discussion across current tension and disparity. Such a common ground is strongly needed within graduate and postgraduate programmes.
The first part of this book presents applied linguistics as seen within theory and history of science. The emerging picture is empirically confronted with the world of practitioners. The second part presents tentative integration, in theory of language, theory of learning and research methodology, and ends with an empirical study illustrating principles of research. The third part returns to theory of science, discussing ontological aspects of our core research object – problems of linguistic communication.
Series: Studies in Applied Linguistics
Table of Contents
Prelims
Glossary [+–] vii-ix
The nature of applied linguistics is an issue that has reappeared again and again over several decades. The established paradigm met severe difficulty during the 1960s, but has never been replaced by a coherent alternative. The major aim of this book is to present a new approach to the discussion about the nature of applied linguistics, one that investigates its deeper theory of science underpinnings. A second important aim is to explore what an alternative might look like, granted diverse developments since the original paradigm began to be questioned. Rather than argue the case for one specific alternative, the book suggest a viable tertium comparationis for intellectual discussion across current tension and disparity. Such a common ground is strongly needed within graduate and postgraduate programmes. The first part of this book presents applied linguistics as seen within theory and history of science. The emerging picture is empirically confronted with the world of practitioners. The second part presents tentative integration, in theory of language, theory of learning and research methodology, and ends with an empirical study illustrating principles of research. The third part returns to theory of science, discussing ontological aspects of our core research object – problems of linguistic communication.
Preface [+–] xi-xiv
The nature of applied linguistics is an issue that has reappeared again and again over several decades. The established paradigm met severe difficulty during the 1960s, but has never been replaced by a coherent alternative. The major aim of this book is to present a new approach to the discussion about the nature of applied linguistics, one that investigates its deeper theory of science underpinnings. A second important aim is to explore what an alternative might look like, granted diverse developments since the original paradigm began to be questioned. Rather than argue the case for one specific alternative, the book suggest a viable tertium comparationis for intellectual discussion across current tension and disparity. Such a common ground is strongly needed within graduate and postgraduate programmes. The first part of this book presents applied linguistics as seen within theory and history of science. The emerging picture is empirically confronted with the world of practitioners. The second part presents tentative integration, in theory of language, theory of learning and research methodology, and ends with an empirical study illustrating principles of research. The third part returns to theory of science, discussing ontological aspects of our core research object – problems of linguistic communication.
Acknowledgements [+–] xv-xvi
The nature of applied linguistics is an issue that has reappeared again and again over several decades. The established paradigm met severe difficulty during the 1960s, but has never been replaced by a coherent alternative. The major aim of this book is to present a new approach to the discussion about the nature of applied linguistics, one that investigates its deeper theory of science underpinnings. A second important aim is to explore what an alternative might look like, granted diverse developments since the original paradigm began to be questioned. Rather than argue the case for one specific alternative, the book suggest a viable tertium comparationis for intellectual discussion across current tension and disparity. Such a common ground is strongly needed within graduate and postgraduate programmes. The first part of this book presents applied linguistics as seen within theory and history of science. The emerging picture is empirically confronted with the world of practitioners. The second part presents tentative integration, in theory of language, theory of learning and research methodology, and ends with an empirical study illustrating principles of research. The third part returns to theory of science, discussing ontological aspects of our core research object – problems of linguistic communication.
Part I
This chapter offers a tentative framework for classifying and characterizing disciplines or sciences, developed from a field independent theory of science approach. Within such a framework it may be shown that some core characteristics of applied linguistics derive from the combined nature of its primary research aims and research object.
This chapter presents the development of two different traditions within applied linguistics. The first, older tradition takes a selection of theoretical notions as its starting point in approaching applied issues, and a second, newer tradition takes language or communication problems as its starting point. This wider approach invites considering applied linguistics as an emerging social science of its own. As this chapter shows, our historical development has implied a strong, but only partial move from the first towards the second of these two approaches. The current situation within applied linguistics is thus characterized more by tension, struggle and confusion than by consensus on any one approach.
This chapter presents an empirical investigation of the fit between the two traditions presented in the previous chapter on the one hand, and teacher and student perceptions of problems in language teaching/learning, on the other.
Part II
This chapter is devoted to discussing ontological concepts like communication and discourse, as these concepts have been understood at different points in the historical development of applied linguistics. On the basis of this discussion, the chapter further presents an integrated approach.
5. Approaches to learning [+–] 99-122
This chapter focuses on a discussion of locus. It has been widely assumed that the prime locus of language learning is the central nervous system of the individual learner. As learning certainly has to somehow affect the individual learner in this way, the chapter is trying to answer to what extent and in what sense can learning to communicate be thought of as a purely individual process. Moreover, the chapter discusses critically some currently dominant conceptualizations of learning as viewed from an alternative Vygotskyan approach.
6. Approaches to research methodology [+–] 123-144
This chapter presents a methodological approach that seems coherent with the epistemological basis, theory of communication and theory of learning presented in the earlier chapters of this book. The suggested methodological approach is meant to serve as a point of reference for what it is believed to be the most pressing general agenda, the communicability and possible synergy in today’s maturing applied linguistics – current research beyond ‘linguistics applied’.
7. A methodological illustration [+–] 145-172
This chapter illustrates the methodological discussion of the previous chapter. The illustration was taken from a longitudinal participatory action research (PAR) project that started in 1992, with data collection going on until 1998. The practical-educational background for the project was the Norwegian efforts since the mid-1980s to develop further a process oriented approach to the teaching of writing. Moreover, the chapter illustrates how a set of relations may first be identified in specific local situations and then exploited abductively to form hypotheses across similarly designed cases. If similar sets of relations can be identified across situationally different cases, it is an argument for potential generalization across qualitative studies. The chapter also discusses certain limitations of the suggested methodology.
Part III
8. A relational way ahead? [+–] 175-194
This chapter makes an attempt to explore further into the nature of the proposed links between an epistemological and historical understanding, on the one hand, and theory of communication and learning as well as methodology on the other hand. The chapter further argues that all the proposed approaches to metatheory, theory and methodology have a relational perspective in common.
End Matter
References [+–] 195-217
The nature of applied linguistics is an issue that has reappeared again and again over several decades. The established paradigm met severe difficulty during the 1960s, but has never been replaced by a coherent alternative. The major aim of this book is to present a new approach to the discussion about the nature of applied linguistics, one that investigates its deeper theory of science underpinnings. A second important aim is to explore what an alternative might look like, granted diverse developments since the original paradigm began to be questioned. Rather than argue the case for one specific alternative, the book suggest a viable tertium comparationis for intellectual discussion across current tension and disparity. Such a common ground is strongly needed within graduate and postgraduate programmes. The first part of this book presents applied linguistics as seen within theory and history of science. The emerging picture is empirically confronted with the world of practitioners. The second part presents tentative integration, in theory of language, theory of learning and research methodology, and ends with an empirical study illustrating principles of research. The third part returns to theory of science, discussing ontological aspects of our core research object – problems of linguistic communication.
Index [+–] 218-235
The nature of applied linguistics is an issue that has reappeared again and again over several decades. The established paradigm met severe difficulty during the 1960s, but has never been replaced by a coherent alternative. The major aim of this book is to present a new approach to the discussion about the nature of applied linguistics, one that investigates its deeper theory of science underpinnings. A second important aim is to explore what an alternative might look like, granted diverse developments since the original paradigm began to be questioned. Rather than argue the case for one specific alternative, the book suggest a viable tertium comparationis for intellectual discussion across current tension and disparity. Such a common ground is strongly needed within graduate and postgraduate programmes. The first part of this book presents applied linguistics as seen within theory and history of science. The emerging picture is empirically confronted with the world of practitioners. The second part presents tentative integration, in theory of language, theory of learning and research methodology, and ends with an empirical study illustrating principles of research. The third part returns to theory of science, discussing ontological aspects of our core research object – problems of linguistic communication.
ISBN-13 (Hardback)
9781845536237
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£100.00 / $125.00
ISBN-13 (Paperback)
9781781792551
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£24.95 / $29.95
ISBN (eBook)
9781781793190
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£24.95 / $29.95
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Publication
01/05/2013
Pages
252
Size
234 x 156mm
Readership
academics
Illustration
9 figures
