The Cambridge Introduction to Applied Linguistics

We define Activist Applied Linguistics (AAL) as doing applied linguistics together with communities in order to make positive social change. In addition to studying social justice issues involving language, activist applied linguists partner with community members to define problems, co-create solutions, and carry out meaningful action toward equity in society. AAL does not occur in a vacuum; it grows and unfolds in specific contexts with common goals and intentional power sharing among applied linguists and communities. AAL is grounded in applied linguistics theory and provides a lens on social equity that focuses on language and its relationships with power. It questions and considers roles that language, its use, users, contexts, language ideologies, and language policies have in creating, perpetuating, or disrupting disparities in society. It applies this lens to take informed action along with others. For these reasons AAL’s contributions to activism are both significant and unique.