Afinal, como funciona a linguística aplicada e o que pode ela se tornar?

Abstract

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