1. Definition of Applied Linguistic

Some definition according to the sources:
Applied Linguistics is, in our view, a coherent activity which theorizes through
speculative and empirical investigations real-world problems in which language
is a central issue. By careful selection of topic (and of author) we intend to
offer a coherent account of applied linguistics as an independent and coherent
discipline, which, like similar vocational activities (for example general medicine,
business studies, applied psychology, legal studies) seeks to marry practical
experience and theoretical understanding of language development and language
in use.
Source: The Handbook of Applied Linguistics Team Nanban - e-book

Language teaching and applied linguistics are fields which have their own
core subject matter and which also draw on a number of complementary
fields of study. Among the core subject matter disciplines are second
language acquisition, methodology, testing, and syllabus design. The
complementary fields of study include both the language based disciplines
such as linguistics, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics, as well as the
education based disciplines such as curriculum development, teacher
education, and evaluation. The result is that students taking courses in
language teaching and applied linguistics encounter a large number of
specialized terms which frequently occur in articles, books and lectures.
Source: Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics (e-book)

Applied linguistics is an umbrella term that covers a wide set of numerous areas of study connected by the focus on the language that is actually used.
Source : Kamil Wisniewski , Anglozof.com

According to Widdowson (1979) in Hrehovcik (2005: 215), Applied Linguistics is a spectrum of inquiry which extends from theoretical studies of language to classroom practice.  

2. The Scope of Applied Linguistic

Phonetics

Phonetics is the scientific study of speech sounds. It studies how speech sounds are articulated, transmitted, and received.

Phonology

Phonology is the study of how speech sounds function in a language, it studies the ways speech sounds are organized. It can be seen as the functional phonetics of a particular language.

Morphology

Morphology is the study of the formation of words. It is a branch of linguistics which breaks words into morphemes. It can be considered as the grammar of words as syntax is the grammar of sentences.

Syntax

Syntax deals with the combination of words into phrases, clauses and sentences. It is the grammar of sentence construction.

Semantics

Semantics is a branch of linguistics which is concerned with the study of meaning in all its formal aspects. Words have several types of meanign.

Pragmatics

Pragmatics can bedefined as the study oflanguage in use. It deals with how speakers use language in ways which cannot be predicted from lingistic knowledge alone, and how hearers arrive at the intended meaningof speakers. PRAGMATICS =MEANING-SEMANTICS.

Sociolinguistics

Sociolinguistics studies the relations between language and society: how social factors influence the structure and use of language.

Psycholinguistics

Psycholinguistics is the study of language and mind: the mental structures and processes which are involved in the acquistion, comprehension and production of language.

Neurolinguistics

Neurolinguistics is the study of language processing and language representation in the brain. It typically studies the disturbances of language comprehension and production caused by the damage of certain areas of the brain.

Stylistics

Stylistics is the study of how literary effects can be related to linguistic features. It usually refers to the study of written language, including literary text, but it also investigates spoken language sometimes.

Discourse analysis

Discourse analysis, or text linguistics is the study of the relationship between language and the contexts in which language is used. It deals with how sentences ins poken and written language form larger meaningful units.

Computational linguistics

Computational linguistics is an approach to linguistics which employs mathematical techniques, often with the help of a computer.

Cognitive linguistics

Cognitive linguistics is an approach to the analysis of natural language that focuses on language as an instrument for organizing, processing, and conveying information.

Applied linguistics

Applied linguistics is primarily concerned with the application of linguistic theories, methods and findings to the elucidation of language problems which have arisen in other areas of experience. 

 

The conclusion to my definition from my sources:

Applied linguistics are fields which have their own core subject matter and which also draw on a number of fields of study, in which the disciplines are second language acquisition, methodology, testing, and syllabus design. It is the unity of knowledge of some language studies that can be used to influence language performance.

Name : Swastika Mahatmarani

SRN : 2201410045