Characteristics of Theoretical and Applied Sciences Applied Linguistics and General Linguistics as Models

Abstract

Applied sciences developed more extensively during the twentieth century than ever before, to the point that nearly every scientific discipline came to have one or more applied branches. This development resulted from the scientific cooperation that emerged among various disciplines, whether closely or distantly related. Human beings, by nature, tend to prefer the practical to the theoretical because of their innate inclination towards what is useful and convenient.

This article discusses the characteristics and objectives of both theoretical and applied sciences, as well as the significance and scope of each. It proceeds from the problem of the confusion between what is theoretical and what is applied. Some studies are described in their titles as either theoretical or applied, although their content does not reflect such a classification. I shall therefore attempt to identify clear characteristics that distinguish theoretical research from applied research.

The article follows the plan outlined below: the emergence of applied linguistics, its concept and boundaries, its relationship with other sciences, and the characteristics and objectives of both applied and theoretical sciences.