Linguistic Foundations: From Comparative Philology to Applied Linguistics Theory
Comparative Philology’s Impact on Language Teaching
Comparative Philology significantly influenced language teaching, particularly until the 1950s. Its impact was most evident in the grammar-translation method, which centered on translating one language into another, mirroring the traditional approach to ancient Greek and Latin.
Grammar-Translation Method: Focus on Rules
This method emphasized the importance of teaching grammar, vocabulary, and rules, often at the expense of communicative competence. The rationale was that mastering rules prevented errors, aligning with the method’s core maxim: perfection. Making mistakes was considered unacceptable.
19th Century Natural Sciences & Language Evolution
The 19th century saw a significant influence from the natural sciences, leading to the concept of a biological or genetic degree of languages, implying that languages evolve. The discovery of Sanskrit, revered as the most perfect and ancient language, also played a crucial role in this developing understanding.
Genetic Languages, Universals, and Typologies
The concept of genetic languages fostered the hypothesis of language universals – common features shared among related languages. Languages began to be viewed as evolving from a common ancestor, leading to distinct linguistic developments. This new theoretical framework enabled discussions on language typologies, based on differences between languages, and subsequently paved the way for the development of dialectology.
The Need for a Theoretical Model in Applied Linguistics
Applied Linguistics (AL) requires its own robust theoretical foundation to address the challenges it faces as a discipline. Like any other academic field, AL would benefit from a solid theoretical framework. Establishing its own principles would offer stability and assurance to linguists working in the field. Moreover, an independent theoretical framework would eliminate the need to borrow concepts from other disciplines or rely on vague, abstract ideas, thereby making AL a complete and fully independent discipline.
Applied Linguistics vs. Linguistics Applied: Complementary Roles
Given that Applied Linguistics (AL) often borrows theoretical elements from other disciplines, Linguistics Applied (LA) is equally essential. While distinct, AL and LA are complementary, both necessary for a comprehensive understanding of language. They contribute to both pure linguistic theory and the analysis of real-world language problems.