What is applied linguistics?

Applied linguistics is a field of study that focuses on the practical application of linguistic
theories, methods, and principles to address real-world issues related to language. It is the
application of our knowledge of language in solving problems.
Applied linguistic is closest to life, it is interested in solving real life situation. It linguistic
has to do with what one needs language for.
More so, applied linguistics is the act of trying to solve language related problems that people
encounter in real life encounters. It is a very practical and scientific discipline that anticipate
likely linguistic challenges of language users and tries to proper solution to them. It is an
activity which explain real world.
Applied linguistics is the act of trying to solve language related problems that people
encounter in real life encounters. It is a very practical and scientific discipline that anticipate
likely linguistic challenges of language users and tries to proper solution to them. It is an
activity which explain real world.
Applied linguistics refer to the application of linguistics to the study and language learning,
language planning, management of language defects, communication between group,
lexicography, translation, etc.
Applied linguistics encompasses a wide range of areas and applications, including but not
limited to:
Language Teaching and Learning: Applied linguists work to improve language education
by developing effective teaching methods, materials, and assessments. They aim to enhance
language acquisition and proficiency in both second language (L2) and foreign language (FL)
contexts.
Sociolinguistics: Applied sociolinguistics examines language variation, language change,
and language attitudes in different social and cultural contexts. This information can be used
to address issues related to language policy, dialect preservation, and language planning.
Language Policy and Planning: Applied linguists work on language policy development,
language revitalization, and language preservation efforts. They address issues related to the
use and status of languages in multilingual societies.
The application of our knowledge of language to the activities of the world, how language
can be deployed. Nigeria has the largest number of languages, over 500. We use language to
solve language problems. Various scholars who worked on applied linguistics have agreed
that applied linguistics is basically interested in providing solutions to various problems of
the society. Applied linguistics provides answers to questions such as; how can we teach
language better? In other words, how can we be better teachers of language? What kind of
individual differences do we have in language learning? What are the social influences
affecting learning? How can we write a valid language examination? How can we design the
appropriate to language teaching in terms of curriculum formulation and implementation for
various group of people and community?
Davis and Elder (2006:11) explained that Applied linguistics is an actual which explains
thorough speculative and empirical investigations of real world problems in which language
is the central issue.
Translation and Interpretation: In the field of translation and interpretation, applied
linguists play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and culturally sensitive communication
between languages. They work on issues related to language equivalence, cultural nuances,
and effective cross-linguistic communication.
From above listed field, we can see that applied linguistics is a multidisciplinary field,
drawing on insights and methodologies from linguistics, psychology, education,
anthropology, sociology, and other related disciplines. Its primary goal is to solve practical
problems related to language and communication, making it a valuable field in addressing the
complex linguistic challenges that arise in diverse social, cultural, and educational contexts.
Having talked about applied linguistics, now, let us explain contrastive analysis.
What is contrastive analysis?
Contrastive analysis is a linguistic and language learning theory that emerged in the mid-20th
century. It is a method of comparing two languages to identify the similarities and differences
between them, primarily to understand the challenges and errors that learners of one language
might face when learning another. The primary goal of contrastive analysis is to predict and
explain the difficulties that learners may encounter in the process of acquiring a second
language.

Contrastive analysis is also the study of two languages with the aim of pointing out their
structural differences and similarities for academic use or societal benefit. It was formulated
in Lado's (1957) Linguistics across cultures in which he noted that structures that are similar
to the learner's first language structure will be easy to learn while those that are different will
be difficult to learn.
Language Comparison: Contrastive analysis involves comparing two languages, often a
learner's native language (L1) and the target language (L2) they are trying to learn. For
instance: Omo dudu (In yoruba) Black boy (in English).
Error Analysis: It focuses on identifying potential areas where learners are likely to make
errors when transferring elements from their native language to the target language.
Contrastive analysis (CA) states that where structures in the L1 differed from those in L2,
errors that reflected the structures of L1 would be produced. For instance, a Yoruba speaker
would say, Omo pupa (a fair complexioned person). An inadequate transfer of structures,
"person fair" (Light complexioned person) since the adjective comes after the noun.
In yoruba language, there is need for learners of yoruba to know that in that construction, the
reverse is the case in English. Even the lexical item "pupa" which means "red" in yoruba is
not translated "red" when it relates to complexion. There are even some direct transfers of
structural forms, the L1 to L2 that are still common among young people these days. For
instance, is your mother at home? Won sinile (No, they are not at home).
“Won” (in Yoruba) is “they” in English and it is a plural pronoun which has been used for a
singular person.
Interlanguage: Contrastive analysis considers the concept of interlanguage, which is the
evolving, transitional state of language proficiency, as learners progress from their native
language to the target language. Interlanguage reflects the influence of the native
language on the learner's developing proficiency in the target language.
Linguistic Elements: Linguistic elements that are compared in contrastive analysis can
include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
Cultural Factors: Besides linguistic elements, contrastive analysis can also involve
comparing cultural norms, values, and communication styles in the two languages.
Pedagogical Implications: The results of contrastive analysis can inform language
teaching methodologies and materials, helping educators design more effective
instruction by addressing the specific challenges faced by learners.
Purpose of contrastive analysis
1. Identify Similarities and Differences: Contrastive analysis aims to uncover the
similarities and differences between languages, focusing on various linguistic aspects
such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. By
doing so, it provides a structured way to understand how two languages function and
where they diverge.
2. Predict Language Transfer: One of the key goals of contrastive analysis is to predict
areas where learners are likely to make errors due to the influence of their native
language on the target language. This helps language instructors anticipate and
address common challenges faced by learners, reducing the potential for mistakes.
3. Inform Language Instruction: Contrastive analysis provides valuable insights for
language educators. It helps them design more effective teaching methods, materials,
and curricula by tailoring instruction to the specific needs of learners. Teachers can
focus on teaching the aspects of the target language that differ significantly from the
learners' native language.
4. Improve Communication: Understanding language differences between L1 and L2
can enhance communication and reduce misunderstandings between speakers of
different languages. For example, in business or diplomacy, recognizing potential
areas of miscommunication can lead to more effective cross-cultural interactions.
5. Enhance Translation and Interpretation: In the fields of translation and
interpretation, contrastive analysis aids professionals in producing more accurate and
idiomatic translations and interpretations. It helps identify potential pitfalls in
transferring meaning between languages.
6. Promote Multilingualism and Cultural Understanding: Contrastive analysis
contributes to multilingualism by promoting awareness of language variations and
diversity. It can lead to a greater appreciation of different cultures and their linguistic
expressions.09
 7. Guide Language Policy and Planning: Governments and institutions can use
contrastive analysis to make informed decisions about language policy and planning.
This includes decisions related to education, language revitalization efforts, and
language standardization.
8. Support Language Research: Contrastive analysis serves as a foundation for
linguistic research by providing a structured framework for comparing languages.
Researchers can delve deeper into the linguistic and cognitive processes involved in
language acquisition and transfer.

Applied Linguistics and Contrastive Analysis

Applied linguistics is a subfield of linguistics that uses linguistic theory, rules, and techniques
to solve real-world problems. Contrastive analysis is a branch of applied linguistics that
compares two or more languages to identify their similarities and differences. Contrastive
Analysis is used in a variety of applied linguistics fields, including second language
acquisition (SLA), translation, and language teaching.
Relationship between Applied Linguistics and Contrastive Analysis
Contrastive Analysis is a valuable tool for applied linguists because it can be used to predict
areas of difficulty for second language learners (L2 learners). For example, if an L2 learner's
first language (L1) and target language (TL) have different grammatical structures, the
learner is likely to make errors in the TL. By identifying these areas of difficulty, applied
linguists can develop teaching materials and strategies to help L2 learners overcome them.
Contrastive Analysis is also used in translation to identify potential problems that may arise
when translating from one language to another. For example, if a source text contains a
cultural reference that is not found in the target language, the translator will need to find a
way to convey the meaning of the reference to the target audience. Contrastive Analysis can
help translators to identify these potential problems and to develop strategies for overcoming
them.
Examples of the Application of Contrastive Analysis in Applied Linguistics
Second Language Acquisition
Contrastive Analysis can be used to predict areas of difficulty for L2 learners. For example,
research has shown that L2 learners often make errors in the TL that are similar to errors that
they make in their L1. This is because L2 learners tend to rely on their L1 knowledge when
they are learning a new language.
Contrastive Analysis can also be used to develop teaching materials and strategies that are
tailored to the specific needs of L2 learners. For example, a teacher of English as a second
language (ESL) might use Contrastive Analysis to develop a lesson on the English verb tense
system. The teacher would first identify the differences between the verb tense systems of
ESL and the students' L1s. Then, the teacher would develop activities and exercises that help
the students to learn the English verb tense system.
Translation
Contrastive Analysis can be used to identify potential problems that may arise when
translating from one language to another. For example, if a source text contains a cultural
reference that is not found in the target language, the translator will need to find a way to
convey the meaning of the reference to the target audience.
Contrastive Analysis can also be used to develop translation strategies. For example, if a
translator is translating a text from a language with a complex grammatical structure to a
language with a simpler grammatical structure, the translator may need to break down the
text into smaller units and then translate each unit separately.
Language Teaching
Contrastive Analysis can be used to develop language teaching materials and strategies. For
example, a teacher of English might use Contrastive Analysis to develop a lesson on the
English pronunciation system. The teacher would first identify the differences between the
pronunciation systems of English and the students' L1s. Then, the teacher would develop
activities and exercises that help the students to learn the English pronunciation system.
Contrastive Analysis can also be used to assess the language proficiency of learners. For
example, a teacher might use a Contrastive Analysis test to assess the English grammar
knowledge of ESL students. The test would contain items that are designed to identify areas
where the students are making errors.
Conclusion
Contrastive Analysis is a valuable tool for applied linguists because it can be used to predict
areas of difficulty for L2 learners, identify potential problems that may arise when translating
from one language to another, and develop language teaching materials and strategies.