Elementos para la discusión de las relaciones entre lingüística teórica y lingüística aplicada

Abstract

This article deals with the traditional distinction between theoretical and applied linguistics. The author questions applying a concept of science which derives from natural sciences to linguistics and argues that linguistics; as a human science; can only take experience as its starting point. It is argued that it is necessary to rethink the relationship between theoretical and applied linguistics and to stress the importance of the latter as a discipline with a social base. According to the author it is important to go beyond the distinction between the two linguistics in so far as any approach to language must generate a theorethical frame work capable of explaining and justifying it.