Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a framework for how Applied Linguistics, Language Education and Linguistics can each contribute to ways of knowing and doing in the respective other fields. Working within Bourdieu's framework, Gunter Narr Verlag contends that 'knowing about knowledge claims and field labels is an important means by which one can control practice and identities'. Although Gunter works in Educational Leadership, her labelling construct is still very useful for conceptualizing similarity and difference within the fields of Applied Linguistics and Language Education. Definition of linguistics includes all overlapping knowledge bases that Applied Linguistics and Language Education draw on, and a shared concern with how language is organized, used and enmeshed in communities, including learning communities. The key business of linguists, applied linguists and language educators is often labelled 'language', the concept of language blurs with the concept of communication.