Applied linguistics does not lend itself to an easy definition, perhaps because, as Vivian Cook remarks: Applied Linguistics

means many things to many people What most introductions and collections try to do is to use applied linguistics concerns and activities in order to illustrate and then analyse what applied linguistics methods and purposes are. The ostensive view is defended by Spolsky: the definition of a field can reasonably be explored by looking at the professionals involved in its study Applied Linguistics [is now] a cover term for a sizeable group of semi-autonomous disciplines, each dividing its parentage and allegiances between the formal study of language and other relevant fields, and each working to develop its own methodologies and principles. Ostensive definitions are rejected by those who argue for a dictionary definition, who maintain that there is, indeed, an applied linguistics core which should be required of all those attempting the rite du passage. Widdowson, for example, argues strongly for the coherence of applied linguistics, dismissing as illogical the commonly held view that applied linguistics is a gallimaufry, a coming -together in an ad hoc way of different disciplines (Widdowson 2005). Cook agrees with Widdowson: the task of applied linguistics is to mediate between linguistics and language use Guy Cook defines applied linguistics as the academic discipline concerned with the relation of knowledge about language to decision making in the real world (ibid: He recognises that the scope of applied linguistics remains rather vague but attempts to delimit its main areas of concern as consisting of language and education; language, work and law; and language information and effect (ibid 7/8). Delimi tations of this kind are helpful, even if they remain contestable. i

increment / 'INkrJmJnt; NAmE / noun 1a regular increase in the amount of money that sb is paid for their job: a salary of 25 K with annual increments2(formal) an increase in a number or an amount incremental / %INkrJ'mentl; NAmE / adjective: incremental costs incrementally / -tJli; NAmE / adverb

-does not lend itself to an easy definition. -where fragmentation is rife -opens up a whole new array of questions

Disparity : a difference, especially one connected with

unfair treatment:

- syllabus - championing supporting

ostensive seeming sizeable considerable delimit to decide what the limits of sth are .