(5) International Network for Educational Linguistics as a Discipline (INFELAD)

[Francis M Hult]

I think we do ourselves a disservice by thinking in terms of an
'either-or' distinction.  We should take our cue from Halliday, who has
stated of applied linguistics that it should be considered
'transdisciplinary' rather than 'inter- or multidisciplinary'
"...because the latter terms seem to me to imply that one still retains
the disciplines as the locus of intellectual activity, while building
bridges between them, or assembling them into a collection; whereas the
real alternative is to supercede them, creating new forms of activity
which are thematic rather than disciplinary in their orientation."  The
same holds true if we are to find educational linguistic inquiry to be of
serious value.  To place it within borders will only stifle what we can
do with it.  While the themes we address are linguistic and educational,
we should by no means consider ourselves limited by either of these
domains as disciplines.

By the way, I am sorry if I missed the first exchanges of this debate
but I am curious, 'educational linguistics,' what your area/context is
(who are you, where are you working, what is your background, etc.).

Best,
Francis M. Hult
Educational Linguistics Doctoral Program
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education

P.S. The above citation is from Halliday, M.A.K. (2001).  New ways of
meaning: The challenges to applied linguistics.  In A. Fill and P.
Muhlhausler (eds) The Ecolinguistics Reader: Language Ecology and
Environment(pp. 175-202).  New York: Continuum.
> Thank you for more contribution to the discipline *and* to the (virtual)
> network. However, it would be more helpful if people could really begin some
> meaningful and relevant discussions, for example, about the relationship
> between applied and educational linguistics. All are welcome to contribute
> *your* view (which doesn't have to be based on published or authoritative
> sources).
>
> Should educational linguistics belong to LINGUISTICS (like
> psycho-linguistics, socio-linguistics, etc) *or* EDUCATION (like educational
> psychology, educational philosophy, etc)? What do *you* think?
>
> As I said, no one should "chair" anything here so it's up to you to
> contribute and discuss something related to educational linguistics if you
> do care about furthering language and education studies.
>
> INFELAD
>
> *Please note that this is purely for academic/professional purposes.*
>
>
>
> >From: "Nariyo Kono" <nariyo at mindspring.com>
> >Reply-To: lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu
> >To: <lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu>
> >Subject: Re: (3) International Network for Educational Linguistics as a
> >Discipline
> >Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 23:09:13 -0700
> >
> >Yes, I would support the field.
> >My educational background/practices have been useful:
> >
> >1. when I research within communities; 2. when I challenge traditional
> >research paradigms/perspectives.
> >
> >I think that developing a network like this will be helpful as well.  It
> >might help us develop effective language policies and planning.  I would
> >support the discipline AND the network.
> >
> >Nariyo Kono, Ph.D.
> >Department of Culture and Heritage
> >The Confederated Tribes of the
> >Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon
> >P.O. Box 775 Warm Springs, Oregon 97761
> >Phone: (541) 553-2200; Fax: (541) 553-1899
> >Department of Applied Linguistics
> >Portland State University
> >P.O. Box 751 Portland, Oregon 97207-0751
> >Email: nariyo at mindspring.com
>
>
>
>
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