Ministry of science and education

Abylai Khan university of international relations and world languages

Faculty of translation and philology
Chair of English philology

Comparison of theoretical and

applied linguistics

Done by:
Musaeva R.

Badalova S.
 Introduction
In general, “linguistics” can refer to any aspect of the study of
language as a language. On the other hand, in its specific
meaning, the word “linguistics” refers to the study of the parts
of language: the sound system (the study of which is called
“phonology”); words (the study of which is called
“morphology”); phrases and sentences (the study of which is
called “grammar” or “syntax” ); and texts (the study of which is
called “discourse,” the study of how sentences are put together
into units such as a paragraph or conversation).
In contrast, any aspect of language study outside these just
mentioned belongs to what is called “applied linguistics”.
 Theoretical linguistics
Theoretical linguistics is the branch of linguistics which inquires into
the nature of language itself.

Seeks to answer:
TL is concerned with
 What is language? constructing models of
 How does it work? linguistic knowledge,
and ultimately
 How does Universal developing a linguistic
Grammar operate? theory.
 How does language relate to
other cognitive processes?
Branches of theoretical linguistics

Phonology

Semantics Phonetics

Theoretical
linguistics

Syntax Morphology
 Applied linguistics
Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field which identifies,
investigates, and offers solutions to language-related real-life problems.

Applied linguistics seeks to

understand how to practically
apply linguistic theories to the
modern vernacular.

AL is a constantly evolving study

that changes just as frequently as
modern usage of any given
language, adapting and
presenting new solutions to the
ever-evolving problems of
linguistic discourse.
Fields connected to applied linguistics
Sociology (the scientific
Education (teaching, study of human social
behavior and the study of
learning, acquisition,
society)
assessment)

APPLIED
LINGUISTICS
Anthropology (the scientific
study of the origin and behavior
Linguistics (the study of the nature, of human, including the
structure and variation of language, physical, social and cultural
and the study of human speech, development of societies)
language form, language meaning)

Psychology (the science of mind and

behavior, and the application of such
knowledge of various spheres of human
activity such as education, health,
occupational and employment services)
Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Grammar

Descriptive grammar, on
the other hand, focuses on
describing the language as
it is used, not saying how it
should be used.

Prescriptive
grammar describes when
people focus on talking about
how a
language should or ought to
be used.
 Conclusion
Theoretical linguistics seeks to answer
fundamental questions as to what
language is; how it works; how universal
grammar (UG) as a domain-specific
mental organ operates, if it exists at all;
what are its unique properties; how
does language relate to other cognitive
processes, etc.
Applied linguistics seeks to understand
how to practically apply linguistic
theories to the modern vernacular.
In contrast with theoretical linguistics,
applied linguistics tackle "real-world
problems in which language is a central
issue"