Mapping applied linguistics has always been an effective guide in aiding both students and practitioners specialized in the field of language and linguistics. The book daily earns considerable reputing from a wide range of scholars for providing them with a wide range and innovative approach to the entire scope of the art of language and applied linguistics. The book successfully covers the continuously expanding and diverse range of theories, issues and methods faced by practioners and students alike. All this has only been possible through incorporating into the book a wide range of socio cultural and cognitive perspective. the book is ideally suited for student new to the field of study through its highly practical orientation approach (Hall, 2011). The book creatively provides an in-depth analysis and coverage of: • Language planning and policy.• World Englishness and language variations• Translation and multilingualism • Forensic linguistics and lexicography• Language disorders and literacy, language education and teaching.
The book also successfully integrates international examples and real life data in its quest for passing knowledge and information to its esteemed readers. In addition to this, the book also provides practice exercise and further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter. The book also features a complete glossary of important terms and a wide range of field work suggestions.The interactive and companion website provides an immense wealth of additional resources. There is of great essence to students studying TESOL, applied linguistics, education and general linguistics at their master’s degree or advanced undergraduate levels (Hall, 2011).. There is also an ideal gateway for language and linguistic practioners in their fields of expertise to better understand the expansive scoop of their work.The ten ways we are led astray in language and linguistics is basically a conventional theory of language use majorly covering common sense beliefs. And the consequences that comes with language spell. Almost every culture from the varied communities have strong beliefs about the nature of their language and other languages with which applied linguists can only ignore at their own peril.
Recent advancement in research and other scholarly articles in the in the largely diverse field of study aim at bringing new aspects, and perspectives on practical issues facing languages and languages users across the globe. The body of education conducted in this field also advances that we must be aware of these cultural variations affecting perceptions towards different languages among different communities and cultures. If we don’t get aware of these varied perceptions, it is easy to be led astray by the numerous tempting but misleading courses of cultural beliefs and practices (Hall, 2011)..
The first dead end is that people tend to think in language. Research shows that a majority of people in the society relate language with thought itself. This has led to the belief that we think according to our languages. This is supported by the fact that in some language classes, many has experience a situation where they are told to try and not think in their first language. In addition to this, it is a common scenario to dream in the language that one is currently learning. At many times, we wrap our beliefs according to our languages. This has been the basis of constructing many of the beliefs and perceptions towards the world. However this does not mean that our varied languages and thoughts are one and the same thing.
There is a belief that children are always taught their first language either by parents or teachers. In learning our first languages, imitation plays an important role in respect to some aspects of the language and linguistics. Instructions and imitation are not the only aspects where children learn their first language. Imitation is a crucial aspect for language development especially in relation to physical expressions and manifestation. Imitation cannot explain how the children grasp the symbolic meanings.childen understands their first language easily when are young because their brains are not occupied by many things (Hall, 2011)..
It is also believed that language reflects the intelligence of the people. The use way in which people use their language will reflect their various levels of intelligence. The test of basic English is commonly used to reflect the academic success. Language plays a major role in literacy and culture of the people therefore constitutes the intelligence of the people. Knowledge is basically measured and contained in a given language. It is also a channel of conveying the message.
Another common belief is that people who speak two languages are always confused; it is argued that knowing two languages will slow someone’s capability of thinking making it difficult to grasp concepts or it may slow the learning process. It is argued that this will make coherence difficult and people will not be able to perfect the two languages.
Another dead end is that languages are contaminated by the influence of other languages. This tends to interrupt the flow of thoughts which makes languages to assimilate new words making languages lose originality (Hall, 2011)..
Another dead end is that a nation should have only one national language for the public address. This makes it not easy to master other languages since people will concentrate heavily on one language.
The last dead end is a combination of all other dead ends which says that languages tend to exist independently of the users or the use of the language. It argues that language is beyond our scope and imagination in terms of history and purpose.
References
Altarriba, J., & Isurin, L. (2013). Memory, language, and bilingualism: Theoretical and applied approaches.
British Association for Applied Linguistics, Spelman, M. K., & Thompson, P. (2002). Unity and diversity in language use: Selected papers from the Annual Meeting of the British Association for Applied Linguistics held at the University of Reading, September, 2001. London: British Association for Applied Linguistics, in association with Continuum.
Hall, C. J., Smith, P. H., & Wicaksono, R. (2011). Mapping applied linguistics: A guide for students and practitioners. Milton Park, Abingdon: Routledge.
Lawal, A., Isiugo-Abanihe, I., Ohia, I. N., & Ubahakwe, E. (2002). Perspectives on applied linguistics in language and literature: In honour of Professor Ephraim Ebolinye Ubahakwe. Ibadan: Stirling-Horden Publishers (Nig.
Miller, K. S. (2002). Unity and diversity in language use: Selected papers from the Annaul Meeting of the British Association for Applied Linguistics held at the University of Reading, September 2001. London: Continuum international publishing group.
