Tools for English-Spanish Cross-Linguistic Applied Research

Abstract

Empirically-based, cross-linguistic research should have a central role to play in offering solutions to applied problems. However, this role remains largely unexploited and the transformation of contrastive descriptive findings into useful applications has received little attention. Applied professionals looking for useful and reliable aids to assist them in their cross-linguistic routines see their needs ignored as supplying solutions is not generally considered as part of the research process. Part of the problem derives from the inadequacy of the existing tools for turning declarative knowledge into performative knowledge to serve particular applied purposes. This paper aims at re-defining the role of both new and already existing tools in terms of their contribution to applied research.