Difference between revisions of "Linguistics"
m (Text replacement - "http://" to "https://") |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]] | [[Image:lighterstill.jpg]] | ||
| − | [[Image:Language.jpg|right|frame|<center>[ | + | [[Image:Language.jpg|right|frame|<center>[https://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521559676 Cambridge Ency. of Language]</center><center>by [[David Crystal]]</center>]] |
'''Linguistics''' is the [[scientific method|scientific]] study of [[language]], encompassing a number of sub-fields. An important topical division is between the study of language structure ([[grammar]]) and the study of [[meaning]] ([[semantics]]). Grammar encompasses [[morphology]] (the formation and composition of [[word]]s), [[syntax]] (the rules that determine how words combine into [[phrase]]s and [[sentences]]) and [[phonology]] (the study of sound systems and abstract sound units). [[Phonetics]] is a related branch of linguistics concerned with the actual properties of speech sounds ([[phone]]s), non-speech sounds, and how they are produced and [[speech perception|perceived]]. | '''Linguistics''' is the [[scientific method|scientific]] study of [[language]], encompassing a number of sub-fields. An important topical division is between the study of language structure ([[grammar]]) and the study of [[meaning]] ([[semantics]]). Grammar encompasses [[morphology]] (the formation and composition of [[word]]s), [[syntax]] (the rules that determine how words combine into [[phrase]]s and [[sentences]]) and [[phonology]] (the study of sound systems and abstract sound units). [[Phonetics]] is a related branch of linguistics concerned with the actual properties of speech sounds ([[phone]]s), non-speech sounds, and how they are produced and [[speech perception|perceived]]. | ||
| − | Over the twentieth century, following the work of [ | + | Over the twentieth century, following the work of [https://www.chomsky.info Noam Chomsky ], linguistics came to be dominated by the [[Generative grammar|Generativist school]], which is chiefly concerned with explaining how human beings [[language acquisition|acquire language]] and the biological constraints on this acquisition. Generative theory is [[Language module|modularist]] in character. While this remains the dominant paradigm, Chomsky's writings have also gathered much criticism, and other linguistic theories have increasingly gained popularity; [[cognitive linguistics]] is a prominent example. There are many sub-fields in linguistics, which may or may not be dominated by a particular theoretical approach: [[evolutionary linguistics]] attempts to account for the origins of language; [[historical linguistics]] explores language change and [[sociolinguistics]] looks at the relation between linguistic variation and social structures. |
| − | A variety of [[intellect|intellectual]] disciplines are relevant to the study of language. Although certain linguists have downplayed the relevance of some other fields [ | + | A variety of [[intellect|intellectual]] disciplines are relevant to the study of language. Although certain linguists have downplayed the relevance of some other fields [https://www.chomsky.info/books/architecture01.htm Interview with Noam Chomsky], linguistics, like other sciences is highly interdisciplinary and draws on work from such fields as [[psychology]], [[informatics]], [[computer science]], [[philosophy]], [[biology]], [[human anatomy]], [[neuroscience]], [[sociology]], [[anthropology]], and [[acoustics]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistics] |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
[[Category: Linguistics]] | [[Category: Linguistics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:21, 13 December 2020
Linguistics is the scientific study of language, encompassing a number of sub-fields. An important topical division is between the study of language structure (grammar) and the study of meaning (semantics). Grammar encompasses morphology (the formation and composition of words), syntax (the rules that determine how words combine into phrases and sentences) and phonology (the study of sound systems and abstract sound units). Phonetics is a related branch of linguistics concerned with the actual properties of speech sounds (phones), non-speech sounds, and how they are produced and perceived.
Over the twentieth century, following the work of Noam Chomsky , linguistics came to be dominated by the Generativist school, which is chiefly concerned with explaining how human beings acquire language and the biological constraints on this acquisition. Generative theory is modularist in character. While this remains the dominant paradigm, Chomsky's writings have also gathered much criticism, and other linguistic theories have increasingly gained popularity; cognitive linguistics is a prominent example. There are many sub-fields in linguistics, which may or may not be dominated by a particular theoretical approach: evolutionary linguistics attempts to account for the origins of language; historical linguistics explores language change and sociolinguistics looks at the relation between linguistic variation and social structures.
A variety of intellectual disciplines are relevant to the study of language. Although certain linguists have downplayed the relevance of some other fields Interview with Noam Chomsky, linguistics, like other sciences is highly interdisciplinary and draws on work from such fields as psychology, informatics, computer science, philosophy, biology, human anatomy, neuroscience, sociology, anthropology, and acoustics. [1]
