The Relevance of Applied Linguistics in Relation to Language and Communication Studies: A Worldwide Overview

Abstract The paper outlines the peculiarities of Applied Linguistics as a branch of science and specialty provided by universities worldwide. Its scope, relevance in modern labour market and immediate relation to communication and language studies have been analyzed. Its advantages as a flourishing educational program for tertiary education and as an occupation in modern digital world with diverse realms of communication and language application have been substantiated. A wide range of activities pressuposed by Applied Linguistics study have been outlined: researching language in classrooms (classroom-based research); work with different kinds of written and spoken texts (corpus linguistics); approaching language learning (learner autonomy); testing and assessment of language learning; expanding vocabulary (including multiword expressions); dictionary making; interpretation and translation; studies of bilingualism and multilingualism. It has been determined that five most important concepts are basic for understanding the relation of Applied Linguistics to language and communication studies: Functional Linguistics, Language and its Application, Communicative Competence; Cognitive Discourse Analysis, Conceptual Blending Theory, and Contemporary Discourse Analysis; Barriers in Specialized Translation fields and their overcoming (by means of technology); Linguistics and Culture; Language hierarchy, authority, policy, and planning. Applied Linguistics program in tertiary education provides students with necessary studies in relation to language and communication in terms of language communication, its components, conditions of successful communication and cooperation; language etiquette; speech codes, their switching and mixing; speech acts and their types; context of culture, situation and co-texts; assembling and working with corpora; researching collocations and units of meaning. Undergoing the program of Applied Linguistics in tertiary education students can broaden knowledge of linguistics and language; deal with contemporary issues concerning the diversity of languages and cultures in societies; learn and teach foreign languages; eliminate language and communication gaps between people of different cultures; enhance the development of languages and communication skills.