Linguistic Theory and the Real World1

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4501732
AutoresRobin Lakoff, Robin Tolmach Lakoff (0000-0002-0781-2429, University of California, Berkeley, autor correspondente)
Ano1975
Volume25
Fascículo2
Páginas309-338
Data de publicação1975-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoLanguage Learning (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0023-8333 • E-ISSN: 1467-9922
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-1770.1975.tb00249.x
OpenAlexW2059295013
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas14
Referências citadas12

Traditionally, applied linguists have looked to theoretical linguistics for help, and not vice versa, and they haven't found much enlightenment. Recent work by theoretical linguists on the interaction between language use and real world phenomena may begin to change this situation. Language teachers have realized that some aspects of language are harder to teach than others: the use of particles like "well," hedges like "sort of," and "I guess," sex link uses of various sorts, and forms marking levels of politeness. Although analogues are found between languages, exact parallelism between a form and its function in two languages seldom exists. Theoretical linguistics is becoming able to formalize the properties of this area of language use. Its discoveries could aid teachers in explaining the uses of these forms. Conversely, there is much not yet understood by theory. For one thing, we don't know which of the properties of these forms are universal. Applied linguists know where second-language learners make mistakes and what kind of errors they make. The nature of these errors should prove a diagnostic aid to theorists, showing what is common to all languages and what is not. Thus, in this area as in many others, progress can best be made by theoretical and applied linguists if they will work together as equal partners

Function (biology) · Linguistic universal · Linguistics · Politeness · sort · Theoretical linguistics · Computer Science · Historical Linguistics and Language Studies · Natural Language Processing Techniques · Philosophy · Psychology · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation