Understanding Linguistics: From Structure to Application
Linguistics: From Structure to Social Impact
Linguistics is the scientific study of both the structure of natural languages and the knowledge that speakers have of them. The field of linguistics may be divided in terms of three dichotomies: synchronic versus diachronic linguistics, applied linguistics versus theoretical linguistics, and microlinguistics versus macrolinguistics.
Synchronic and Diachronic Linguistics
A synchronic description of a language describes the language as it is at a given time. A diachronic description is concerned with the historical development of the language and the structural changes that have taken place.
Although scientists initially interested in linguistics during the nineteenth century were primarily interested in language change and the evolution of languages over time, the modern approach focuses on explaining how language functions at a given point in time and how speakers are capable of related mental processes.
Theoretical and Applied Linguistics
The aim of theoretical linguistics is the construction of a general theory of language structure or a general theoretical system for describing languages. The aim of applied linguistics is the application of technical discoveries and the scientific study of language to a variety of basic tasks, such as developing improved methods of language teaching.
Microlinguistics and Macrolinguistics
The terms microlinguistics and macrolinguistics are not yet well established. The first relates to a narrower perspective, and the second to a broader perspective in the field of linguistics.
From the microlinguistic standpoint, languages should be analyzed for their own sake and without reference to their social function, or the way they are acquired by children, or the psychological mechanisms underlying the production and reception of speech, or the aesthetic or communicative function of language, etc.
In contrast, macrolinguistics encompasses all these aspects of language. Several areas of recognition have macrolinguistic terminology, such as:
- Psycholinguistics
- Sociolinguistics
- Anthropological Linguistics
- Dialectology
- Mathematical Linguistics
- Computational Linguistics
- Stylistics
Structuralism in Linguistics
Structuralism, a linguistic movement, emerged in the early twentieth century and marks the beginning of modern linguistics. Its initiator was Ferdinand de Saussure, through his book Course in General Linguistics (1916). This book is based on students’ interpretations of his lectures during three years of college courses at the University of Geneva.
Structuralism emerged as a reaction to previous approaches, giving more importance to synchrony versus diachrony. In theory, the value of each language element is defined in opposition to other elements. The purpose of structural linguistics is the study of relations between elements that are part of the system. These elements are linguistic signs.
Linguistics as Social Psychology
Linguistics is a branch of social psychology and is responsible, according to Saussure, for the study of “the life of signs within social life”.
Language in Use
Sentences can serve many purposes. Such is the characteristic of language, which is an instrument operated by humans for various purposes. When a person (the issuer) says something (delivers a message) to another person (the receiver), they always try to produce an effect on the latter: to influence them.
Why do we want to influence?
What are the motives that impel us to do so? Answering this question would be very complicated and would take us beyond the scope of our analysis.
Do we always achieve influence?
Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. This depends on factors such as whether the message arrives at its destination (not such a dull message, or a letter that gets lost on the way) and whether the receiver shares the same linguistic code as the transmitter (for example, both speak the same language).