Branches of Linguistics

 

HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OKARA 

BRANCHES OF LINGUISTICS The phenomenon of language is very complex and diverse. Linguistics is a scientific and objective field. According to Victoria A. Fromkin, “Linguistics is the scientific study of human language and languages.”    According to Jean Aitchison: “Linguistics tries to answer two basic questions: what is language and how does language work.”    As it is clear from the definition, linguistics deals with language as human activity. It involves different fields of knowledge. As it is a multi dimensional subject, it should be looked at from different perspectives. Much research has not been done on this subject in previous centuries. In 20th and 21st  centuries, latest researches have been done on this subject and the process is still going on. For convenience, linguistics has been divided into two categories: 1. Intra Disciplinary Areas  Areas 

2. Inter Disciplinary Areas  Areas  

Intra dis ci cipl plinary inary area areass  are purely linguistics. Such areas have nothing to do with other subjects or branches of knowledge. They deal only with language. Intra disciplinary areas are: a. Theoretical/General Linguistics

b. Descriptive Linguistics

c. Comparative Linguistics

d. Comparative Historical Linguistics

e. Applied Linguistics

Inter disciplinary areas   of linguistics mean that they have relations with other subjects or branches of knowledge. They consider that how language interacts with the world. Inter disciplinary areas are: a. Sociolinguistics

b. Psycholinguistics

c. Neurolinguistics

d. Geographical Linguistics

e. Philosophical Linguistics 1. INTER DISCIPLINARY AREAS OF LINGUISTICS LINGUISTICS a. Theoretical Linguistics This branch of linguistics studies language and languages in order to construct a theory of their structure and functions. It attempts to establish general principles for the study of all languages Resource Person: MUHAMMAD MUSSAWAR (M.A English; M.A TEFL)

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HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OKARA  and to determine the characteristics of human languages. Theoretical linguistics is divided into a number of separate areas. i. Phonetics

ii. Phonology

iii. Morphology

iv. Syntax

v. Semantics

b. Descriptive Linguistics This branch of linguistics establishes facts about a particular language. In theoretical linguistics, language is studied in general, but in descriptive linguistics language is described in particular. Descriptive linguistics provides the data which confirms or refutes the theories p ut forward in theoretical linguistics. For example, a general linguist might formulate the theory (hypothesis) that all languages have verbs. The descriptive linguist might discard or confirm it with reference to particular language. c. Comparative Linguistics It is a branch of linguistics which studies two or more languages in order to compare their structures and to show whether they are similar or different. It is used in applied linguistics for establishing

differences between the learner’s native language

and the target language in the

areas of syntax, vocabulary and sound systems. d. Comparative Historical Linguistics It is also called Historical linguistics/Comparative Philology/Philology. This branch of linguistics studies the history of language change and language relationships. By comparing earlier and later forms of a language and by comparing different languages, it has been possible to show that certain languages are related e.g. Greek, Latin, English and French. There are two methods of the historical study of a language. A. Diachronic (Historical)

B. Synchronic (Non Historical)

Diachronic linguistics means to study the history of language thoroughly from A to Z. Synchronic linguistics means to study the history of language at some particular time. d. Applied Linguistics It is the study of second and foreign language learning and teaching. It also deals with the study of language in relation to practical problems, such as translation, vocabulary, and grammar. Applied linguistics develops its own theoretical models of language and uses them in practical areas.

Resource Person: MUHAMMAD MUSSAWAR (M.A English; M.A TEFL)

03032461219 03032461219

 

HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OKARA  2. INTER DISCIPLINARY AREAS OF LINGUISTICS LINGUISTICS a. Sociolinguistics Sociolinguistics studies language in relation to society. It studies all the aspects of relationship between language and society. It tells us about the impact of language on society and impact of society on language. It includes bilingualism, multilingualism and standard and non standard forms of language. b. Psycholinguistics Psycholinguistics studies language in relation to psychology. It deals with language and the mind of an individual. It includes the areas like language acquisition of L1 and L2, behaviourism, and mentalism. c. Neurolinguistics It studies the psychological basis of language and language disorder. It has a deep relationship with Clinical linguistics. d. Geographical Linguistics This branch of linguistics studies language in relation to geography. It describes the variation in language with reference to the geographical changes. e. Philosophical Linguistics It studies the relation of language with philosophy. f. Anthropological Linguistics This branch of linguistics studies the relationship between language and culture in a community, e.g. its traditions, beliefs, and family structure.  All these branches of language are equally important because they bring to light the different aspects of language so that we can understand language comprehensively. Without the study of these branches, it is impossible for us to have the first hand information about the ins and outs of language.

Resource Person: MUHAMMAD MUSSAWAR (M.A English; M.A TEFL)

03032461219 03032461219