Some Practical Applications of Linguistics
F.C. Stork, J.D.A. Widdowson · 2014
Language is such a fundamental and important part o f human behaviour, particularly in an advanced literate society, that the nature and structure o f language is worth studying in its own right and the science o f linguistics, or General Linguistics as it is sometimes called, does ju st that. In the preceding chapters we have surveyed briefly some o f the main trends and cross currents in linguistic thought and we have shown how the work o f lin guists, particularly in the twentieth century, has increased our understanding o f what is involved in the use o f language as a means o f communication. So far, however, we have said nothing about the use made of this new knowledge in practical activities, but since language is basic to our personal and social lives it would be very surprising indeed if the better understanding of language did not have wider applications in many disciplines and fields o f human experience.