Selected topics in applied linguisticsfor the study of English language and Anglophone cultures : Sociolinguistics, Pragmalinguistics, Psycholinguistics

ISBN 978­‑80­‑7435­‑920­‑0

https://doi.​org/​10.​31262/​978­‑80­‑7435­‑920­‑0/​2023

Horváthová, Božena – Pokrivčáková, Silvia: Selected Topics in Applied Linguistics for the Study of English Language and Anglophone Cultures : Sociolinguistics, Pragmalinguistics, and Psycholinguistics. University of Hradec Králové Press, Gaudeamus, 2023. 91 s. ISBN 978­‑80­‑7435­‑920­‑0. 1,15 MB (1,10 MiB), 16. 3. 2024

Abstract:

Applied linguistics plays a pivotal role in shaping foreign language education by informing teaching methodologies, curriculum design, assessment practices, and language policy development. The present textbook is primarily intended for graduate and doctoral students of English philology in departments preparing future teachers and intercultural mediators. It comprehensively treats three branches of applied linguistics – sociolinguistics, pragmalinguistics, and psycholinguistics. The structure and content of the text, including content questions and suggestions for independent assignments, correspond to the function of a university textbook.

The first chapter discusses sociolinguistics which is crucial for fostering effective foreign language learning and communication in diverse social contexts. Sociolinguistics, as a subfield of linguistics, focuses on the study of language in its social and cultural context, examining how language use varies according to factors such as social status, ethnicity, gender, age, and geographical region. It provides insights into the variation present in language use, both within and across different speech communities. By learning about sociolinguistic variation, students become better equipped to navigate diverse linguistic environments and interact appropriately with speakers from different languages and cultural backgrounds.

Pragmalinguistics is discussed in the second chapter. It focuses on the study of language use in context, particularly how language is used to achieve communicative goals and convey meaning beyond the literal interpretation of words and sentences. In the study of English linguistics, pragmalinguistics plays a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of how language functions in real­‑life situations and social interactions. Pragmalinguistics examines how language is used to perform speech acts such as requests, offers, apologies, compliments, and refusals. By analysing the linguistic strategies and conventions associated with different speech acts, researchers gain insights into how speakers convey intentions and interact with one another in English discourse.

Psycholinguistics, the subject of the third chapter, is the study of how language is processed and represented in the mind, providing valuable insights into learning about foreign languages. While it primarily focuses on understanding the cognitive processes involved in language comprehension, production, and acquisition, it intersects with the study of foreign language cultures, too.

The publication introduces partial results of the project VGS B4/2022 funded by the Faculty of Education, University of Trnava, Slovakia.