What is Language?
In this article we will discuss about what is Language and what is Linguistics? Characteristics of Language. Some common characteristics of Language. Importance of Language. And Salient features of Language. Sub-field of Linguistic.
Language
Language is derived from a Latin word “Lingua”. “Lingua” means tongue. A language is a system of communication which are used by the people of a particular region or country for writing and communication. Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols which human beings interact. Language are primary means of communication of humans which is conveyed through writing, speech or sign.
Language being the basic tool of communication, it is a system of communicating with other people for expressing an idea using sound, words and symbols. It can be formed through oral, written or either by body language on few occasions.
Characteristics of Language
· Language is a system of sounds and signals.
Importance of Language
1. Means of expression.
2. Basis of all the development.
3. Unites the people of world
4. Medium of education.
5. Simplest and easiest way of communication.
Salient features of Language
a) Every language is capable of expressing new ideas and thoughts.
b) Language being a medium of communication it has been prevalent in each and every society.
c) Language can be regarded as expressing emotion and feelings.
d) A child born in any part of the world of any ethnic group is capable of learning any language.
e) There is no assertion that there are some easy languages and some difficult languages. Every language is equally simple and difficult.
f) Every spoken language has its own grammatical aspects. Similar grammatical categories are found in all language.
g) Grammar of all languages contains rules for the formation of words and sentences.
h) Everything can be expressed in any of the language equally.
What is Linguistics?
In this article we will take about what is Linguistics? The sub-fields/branches of Linguistics. What is a Linguist?
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It is the basis for the scientific study of human languages from various aspects. The word was first used in the middle 19th century. Linguistics focusses on the systematic investigation of the properties of a particular language and its characteristics.
According to G. Duffy –
“Linguistics observes language in action as means for determination how language has developed, how it functions today and how it is currently developing.”
Important sub-fields of linguistics are as under
v Phonetics – it is the study of how speech sounds are produced and perceived
v Phonology - it is the study of sound patterns and changes
v Morphology – it is the study of word structure
v Syntax – it is the study of sentence structure
v Pragmatics – it is the study of how language is used in context
v Semantics – it is the study of linguistic meaning
v Historical Linguistics – it is the study of language change
v Sociolinguistics – it is the study of the relation between language and society
v Computational Linguistics – it is the study of how computers can process human language
v Psycholinguistics – it is the study of how humans acquire and use language
Phonetics
It is the study of sounds in a speech. Phonetics include understanding how sounds are made. It is also about understanding how the ear hears sounds. A study of phonetics involves practicing the production of sounds. The wave form of each sound can be analysed with the help of technology. In simple words we can say that it is the study of production, transmission and reception of speech sounds.
It consists of three main sun-fields:
· Articulatory Phonetics – how speech sounds are produced
Phonology
Phonology is the branch of linguistics which concerned with the study of speech sounds with reference to their pattern and distribution. The objective of phonology is to discover the principles that govern the way of sounds. It is the study of the sound system of a given language and the analysis and classification of its phonemes.
Morphology
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