What is linguistics

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It includes the following subareas : phonetics the study of the production, acoustics and hearing of speech sounds phonology the patterning of sounds morphology the structure of words syntax the structure of sentences semantics meaning pragmatics language in context It also includes explorations into the nature of language variation i.

Many of our students pursue teaching in countries such as Russia or Japan. Receive a B. Morphology and syntax are concerned with the study of the internal structure of words and sentences.

Apart from the study of the sound systems of languages and word and sentence structure, linguists seek to specify the meaning behind words and combinations of words. This investigation is known as semantics. Semanticists also compare the meanings of these combinations when they interact with contextual information, a subfield known as pragmatics.

Linguists investigate how people acquire their knowledge about language, how this knowledge interacts with other cognitive processes, how it varies across speakers and geographic regions, and how to model this knowledge computationally. They study how to represent the structure of the various aspects of language such as sounds or meaning , how to account for different linguistic patterns theoretically, and how the different components of language interact with each other.

Many linguists collect empirical evidence to help them gain insight into a specific language or languages in general. How do languages differ, and to what extent are the differences systematic, i. How do children acquire such complete knowledge of a language in such a short time? What are the ways in which languages can change over time, and are there limitations to how languages change?

What is the nature of the cognitive processes that come into play when we produce and understand language? What is Linguistics? Studying Linguistics When you study linguistics at any level, you gain insight into one of the most fundamental parts of being human- the ability to communicate through language. Issues in Linguistics Learn more about a range of issues that linguists are working to address through their participation in the LSA.

The Science of Linguistics Linguists are not only polyglots, grammarians, and word lovers.