Few people have a question about what linguistics is. Indeed, in fact, we are faced with this area of science almost from the first class, when we begin to study literacy. True, in our understanding, linguists are engaged in the study of one language, but this is not so. Let's see what linguistics is, who linguists are and what they do.
As you know, in the world there are many languages, each of which has its own distinctive features, the specifics of the construction of statements and so on. They are studied by such a science as linguistics. Moreover, languages can be studied both separately from each other and in comparison. People involved in such studies call themselves linguists.
In traditional philology, areas such as theoretical and applied linguistics are distinguished. The first studies only the theory of language, its structure and patterns. At the same time, the diachronic and synchronous aspects of language learning are distinguished. Diachronic linguistics studies the development of a language, its state at each stage of development, and patterns of development.
As for synchronization, then the language is being studied at the present moment of development, this is the so-called modern literary language.
Applied linguistics uses the acquired knowledge to create various linguistic programs, decrypt written language, create textbooks and even artificial intelligence.
Applied linguistics develops at the junction of several sciences. This includes computer science, and psychology, and mathematics, physics, philosophy. One cannot say with certainty that any science is not related to linguistics. All of them are closely interconnected.
It is worth noting that applied and theoretical linguistics are closely interconnected. Without theory, practice is impossible, and practice, in turn, makes it possible to verify a statement or to create new questions for research.
Like any other science, linguistics has its own sections. The main ones include phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, stylistics, punctuation, comparative stylistics and others. Each section of linguistics has its own object and subject of study.
Despite the fact that linguistics has its roots since ancient times, there are still many unresolved problems and issues that do not allow linguists to sleep peacefully at night. Every now and then new ideas, views on a particular subject arise, various dictionaries are created, the development and formation of various languages is studied, and interconnections between them are established. For decades, scientists have been struggling to create a reference metalanguage.
So what is linguistics? This is a science that has its own subject and object, studying languages and their relationship with each other. Despite its simplicity, it has many mysteries and unresolved problems that haunt more than one generation of linguists. Like any science, linguistics has its own sections, each of which is engaged in the study of a particular problem.
Now you know what linguistics is and what it is "eaten" with. We hope you found this article interesting.