2. Applied Linguistics (Inspirations from neighbor disciplines)
Elham Farahani; Hooshang Yazdani
Abstract
Idioms are typically considered as elements of informal, vivid, and entertaining language, and are generally thought to be unsuitable for formal contexts. However, recent studies show that idioms are increasingly used in formal communication and academic writing. In this context, this corpus-based study ...
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Idioms are typically considered as elements of informal, vivid, and entertaining language, and are generally thought to be unsuitable for formal contexts. However, recent studies show that idioms are increasingly used in formal communication and academic writing. In this context, this corpus-based study aims to offer new insights into English idioms by examining them within a corpus consisting of 5,675,554 tokens from 640 randomly selected applied linguistics research articles (RAs). To achieve this, the researchers developed a working definition and framework for identifying academic idioms within written genres like RAs. Using this framework, they compiled a list of the most common academic idioms found in the genre. Additionally, the study explored whether the frequency of these idioms changed over the period from 1980 to 2020. The findings revealed that idioms are indeed present in applied linguistics RAs and merit appropriate attention. No significant correlation was found between time and idiom usage frequency, while the writing style of authors appeared to significantly influence how often idioms are used. By identifying and analyzing the most frequent academic idioms in applied linguistics RAs, this study’s results may be valuable for EFL writing instructors, graduate and postgraduate students in applied linguistics, and developers of teaching materials.
Elham Farahani
Abstract
Teaching research methodology in applied linguistics presents a familiar pedagogical challenge: the search for a resource that effectively bridges the theoretical foundations of inquiry with the practical demands of novice researchers. Too often, the subject is perceived as a challenging topic, with ...
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Teaching research methodology in applied linguistics presents a familiar pedagogical challenge: the search for a resource that effectively bridges the theoretical foundations of inquiry with the practical demands of novice researchers. Too often, the subject is perceived as a challenging topic, with dense, voluminous texts overwhelming graduate students. It was from this dual standpoint, as an instructor seeking a user-friendly textbook and as a researcher desiring a clear reference, that I approached Hossein Nassaji’s book on applied linguistics research. The text positions itself as that essential bridge, claiming to serve both experienced researchers and newcomers eager to begin their research journey. A thorough analysis of this book reveals that it largely fulfills this promise, offering a process-based approach that is particularly valuable for classroom instruction, albeit with certain areas ripe for refinement. The book’s twenty-five chapters are systematically organized into seven thematic parts, constructing a roadmap for the research process.
