Quo vadis? Applied linguistics in the second decade of the 21st century 

Abstract.

QUO VADIS? APPLIED LINGUISTICS IN THE SECOND DECADE OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Iryna Biskub

Department of Applied Linguistics, Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Lutsk, Ukraine.

Abstract

Background: Summarizing the numerous attempts to define applied linguistics, we state that modern applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on numerous innovative areas of social development in which language plays an important role. Modern applied linguistics is changing under the influence of worldview shifts and various global challenges the humanity encounters in the 21st century. Within the scientific linguistics community, there's a general agreement that the primary aim of applied linguistics involves utilizing findings and approaches derived from linguistic studies and associated fields to address real-world issues.

The most noticeable change in applied linguistics at the beginning of the 21st century was its rapid development as an interdisciplinary field. In addition to the traditional vectors of applied linguistics, such as the theory and practice of teaching foreign languages, automatic text processing, machine translation, the set of issues that are considered central to the field of applied linguistics today includes topics such as language for special purposes (for example, industry communication in aviation, law, medicine, academic scientific communication). Such interdisciplinary areas as language policy and planning, language literacy, computer and digital literacy are gaining special importance.

Purpose: The article is an attempt to outlines the main thematic dominants and development trends of applied linguistics in the 21st century based on the analysis of article titles over the past five years in international scientific journal Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, which is included in the first quartile of journals indexed in the Scopus scientific metric database.

Results: According to the study findings, it's suggested that contemporary applied linguistics shouldn't be viewed merely as an academic discipline  but rather as a diverse interdisciplinary domain. This field possesses a distinctive ability to promptly address the intricate socio-political issues prevalent in today's society. In our research, we analyzed the significance of the most frequent terms (words and phrases), along with the quantitative indicators of their usage in the titles and lists of keywords of articles published in ARAL over the last five years (2018-2022) in issues 38-42. A total of 68 article titles were analyzed. The quantitative frequency calculations demonstrated that the most prevalent theme in ARAL articles is foreign language teaching/learning, which appeared in the titles of 18 articles. As evidenced by the conducted research, investigations into social justice have gained particular relevance in the realm of contemporary applied linguistics. Accordingly, within the analyzed array of article titles, the phrase "social justice" is used five times. Ten articles in the specified issues of ARAL (especially in volume 39) are dedicated to the utilization of technology and digitalization in applied linguistic studies. The theme of developing research methodologies in contemporary applied linguistics demonstrates both high frequency and relevance (9 articles). Remarkably, the represented research methods pertain to exploring new research topics (Language Aptitude) as well as employing new research techniques (Data Re-Analysis, Data Mining) and tools (Neurostimulation and Pupilometry).

The considerable attention to socially induced challenges in modern society convincingly attests to the swift response of applied linguists. This response is aimed at seeking solutions to socially significant issues that require immediate scientific exploration and action. It contributes to overcoming the global migration crisis, combating racial discrimination, and enhancing multilingual and multicultural education.

Discussion: In the complex conditions of uncertainty of the modern world the fundamental domains of applied linguistics are combined with current interdisciplinary trends, such as language policy and planning, research on media literacy, computer and digital literacy, language aptitude. In response to the social and political crises of the 21st century, new directions are emerging in applied linguistics, such as migration linguistics, linguistic and cultural decolonization, protection of racial and linguistic equality, linguistic aggression and linguistic manipulation. These questions are especially relevant for Ukrainian applied linguistic studies during the Russia-Ukraine war. It is noteworthy that they fully correspond to the thematic dominants of world applied linguistics, presented in the recent volumes 38-42 of scientific journal Annual Review of Applied Linguistics.

Keywords: applied linguistics, applied linguistics research methods, language policy and planning, methods of language learning and teaching, computational linguistics.

Vitae

Iryna Biskub, doctor of philology, professor, Head of Applied Linguistics department at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Lutsk, Ukraine. Research interests: applied linguistics, discourse analysis, communicative linguistics, cognitive linguistics, philosophy of language.

Correspondence: ibiskub@vnu.edu.ua 

Article.

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