What is 'Linguistics?'

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It is a multi-disciplinary field that encompasses various sub-fields, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Linguistics also encompasses the study of language acquisition, language use, and language change.

Phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds, including their production, perception, and acoustic characteristics. Phonology is the study of the organization of speech sounds in a particular language, including the rules governing the way sounds are combined to form words and sentences.

Morphology is the study of the internal structure of words, including the rules governing the formation of words from smaller units called morphemes. Syntax is the study of the rules governing the way words and phrases are combined to form sentences.

Semantics is the study of the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences, including the relationships between words and the way meaning is conveyed through language. Pragmatics is the study of how language is used in context, including the ways in which meaning is conveyed through non-linguistic cues such as tone of voice and body language.

The study of language acquisition examines how children and adults acquire language, including the cognitive, social, and neurological processes involved. The study of language use examines how people use language in different contexts, including the ways in which language varies across cultures, regions, and social groups. The study of language change examines how languages change over time, including the processes that drive language change and the effects of change on different aspects of language.

Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field, and it draws on insights and methods from fields such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and computer science.