UNIT-II

What is Linguistics?

Linguistics is a scientific study of language. It shares with other sciences a

concern to be objective, systematic, consistent and explicit in its account of language.
The field of linguistics includes both science and humanities. Linguistics is learning
about language rather than learning a language. In linguistics we investigate the
mechanism of a language. While speaking a language we are using the sounds, words,
etc. of that language; behind these uses is the mechanism which enables us to do so.
We study language because it is important for us to understand this mechanism.

Linguistics as a Science:

Linguistics is a science, in both general and specific terms. We use the term
'science' for any knowledge that is based on clear, systematic and rational
understanding.

Linguistics studies language: Language is a phenomenon which is both objective and

variable. It has a concrete shape and occurrence. A linguist studies the components of
a language, eg: He observes the occurrence of speech - sounds, or the way in which
words begin or end. Language, like other phenomena, is objective because it is
observable with the senses.

Observation leads to processes of classification and definition. Linguistics

observes the features of language, classifies these features as being sound features of
particular types, or words belonging to particular classes on the basis of similarity or
difference with other sounds and words.

Linguistics is also a social science because it studies language which is a form

of social behaviour and exists in interaction between human beings in society.
Linguistics is both an empirical science and a social science. It is part of the study of
humanities as well. In understanding language, humankind can understand itself.

Scope of Linguistics:
Descriptive linguistics:
Descriptive linguistics is concerned with the description and analysis of the
ways in which a language operates and is used by a given set of speakers at a given
time.
- Robins
 Modern linguistics is mainly descriptive because it attempts to describe fully
and accurately the structure of a language as it exists at a given time. It is a
synchronic study of language. It describes systems in a language at all levels of
structure: The phonological level or system of sounds, the morphological level or
system of word formation, the syntactic level, or level of sentence formation, and the
semantic system or level of meaning.

Levels of Levels of
Analysis Structure
Phonetics and Sounds
Phonology
Morphology Word Formation
Syntax Sentence
Formation
Semantics Meanings
Discourse Connected
Sentences

The main concern of modern linguistics is to describe a language, to study its

nature, and to establish a theory of language. That is, it aims at studying the
components of the language system and to ultimately arrive at an explanatory
statement on how the system works. Modern linguistics is generally known as
descriptive.

Modern descriptive linguistics is based on a structural approach. The terms

synchronic and diachronic given by Saussure (1916) are used to distinguish between
the description of a stage of a language at a given time and the description of changes
that take place in language during the passage of time.

Comparative linguistics:

Comparative linguistics is concerned with comparing two or more languages.

When the history of these languages is compared with a view to discovering the
historical relation between these languages, it is known as comparative historical
study. The comparative and historical methods are based on discovering relationships
between languages.

Proto – Indo – European

(some of its branches)
 Germanic
Italic Greek Slavic Indo - Iranian

English Latin Russian

German Czech and
Dutch French so on Indic Iranian
Spanish
Portuguese Sanskrit Persian
Italian and Hindi Pashto
Others Gujarati and and
others others

Linguistics look for sound correspondences and build cognates. A cognate is a

word which is related genetically to other words which together form a set of cognates
descended from a proto-language.
frater (Latin)
brother (English)
bhrata (Sanskrit)

These are cognates belonging to a set relating to a word which may have excited
in Proto-Indo-European. When two or more descriptions of language are contrasted
(eg: Tamil and Hindi), it is known as contrastive linguistics.

Anthropological Linguistics:
The study of language variation and use in relation to the cultural patterns and beliefs of the
human race, is investigated using the theories and methods of anthropology.
Applied Linguistics:
The application of linguistic theories, methods and findings to the elucidation of language
problems that have arisen in other domains is known as Applied Linguistics. The term is especially
used with reference to the field of foreign language learning and teaching.
Biological Linguistics:
The study of the biological conditions for language development and use in human beings is
known as Biological Linguistics.
Clinical Linguistics:
The application of linguistic theories and methods to the analysis of disorders of spoken,
written, or sign language is known as Clinical Linguistics.
Computational Linguistics:
The study of language using the techniques and concepts of computer science, especially
with reference to the problems posed by the fields of machine translation information retrieval, and
artificial intelligence is known as Computational Linguistics.
Educational Linguistics:
The application of linguistic theories and methods to the study of the teaching and learning
of a language in schools and other educational settings is known as Educational Linguistics.
Ethnolinguistics:
The study of language in relation to ethnic types and behaviour, especially with reference to
the way social interaction proceeds is known as Ethnolinguistics.
Geographical Linguistics:
The study of the regional distribution of languages and dialects, seen in relation to
geographical factors in the environment is known as Geographical Linguistics.
Mathematical Linguistics:
The study of the mathematical properties of language, using concepts from such fields as
algebra, computer science and statistics is known as Mathematical Linguistics.
Neurolinguistics:
The study of the neurological basis of language development and use in human beings,
especially of the brain’s control over the processes of speech and understanding is known as
Neurolinguistics.
Philosophical Linguistics:
The study of the role of language in the elucidation of philosophical concepts, and of the
philosophical status of linguistic theories, methods and observation is known as Philosophical
Linguistics.
Psycholinguistics:
The study of the relationship between linguistic behaviour and the psychological processes
(eg: memory, attention) that underlie it is known as Psycholinguistics.
Sociolinguistics:
The study of the interaction between language and the structure and functioning of society is
known as Sociolinguistics.
Statistical Linguistics:
The study of the statistical or quantitative properties of language is known as Statistical
Linguistics.
Theological Linguistics:
 The study of the language used by biblical scholars, theologians and others involved in the
theory and practice of religious belief is known as Theological Linguistics.