What can linguistic approaches bring to English for Specific Purposes?
Abstract
This paper explores the various contributions that linguistics has made to English for Specific Purposes (ESP). First, we set out a broad distinction between concept-oriented and context-oriented approaches in linguistics. Although in theory these traditions are largely incompatible, there are signs that the pervasive use of corpus analysis is producing a convergence of the two. Then, we demonstrate a small number of key ideas based on the techniques and theoretical assumptions which we have developed in our own research and
teaching: 1) use of corpora to identify “lexicogrammatical patterns”, the basic buildingblocks of ESP texts, and 2) the use of phraseological training and databases to enhance the learning process and skill-set of future technical translators. Finally, we look at how other linguists have contributed to the general development of linguistic approaches over the history of the journal ASp.