After all, how does Applied Linguistics function and what can it become?

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss criteria to defi ne the functioning of appliedlinguistics. We start from a broad historical overview of theoretical andapplied science so as to open a debate on the characterization of appliedlinguistics provided by Maingueneau (1996). To the features offered bythe author we added two other criteria, which will also be submitted to acritical review. The conclusions indicate the pertinence of a redefi nitionof the social dimension of applied linguistics as it has been developed inthe area, in order to overcome the more or less accidental role it regularlyseems to play.