Linguistics, the classics & Microlinguistics

What is the difference between philology and linguistics?

Philology studies historical written texts in cultural context. Linguistics studies language (especially spoken) as a system, often synchronically.

What are the three major dichotomies in linguistics?

1. Synchronic vs Diachronic

2. .Theoretical vs Applied

3. . Microlinguistics vs Macrolinguistics

What is synchronic linguistics?

The study of a language at a particular point in time. It focuses on how a language functions now (e.g. modern English syntax).

What is diachronic linguistics?

The study of language development over time, such as changes from Old English to Modern English.

What is the difference between theoretical and applied linguistics?

Theoretical linguistics develops models of how language works. Applied linguistics uses these models in real-world contexts like teaching and translation.

What is microlinguistics?

The study of internal language structures (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics).

What is macrolinguistics?

The study of language in its broader social, cultural, psychological, and historical context.

Name 4 subfields of macrolinguistics.

Sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, historical linguistics.

What is phonology?

The study of how sounds function in a particular language as a system of meaning-distinguishing units.

What is phonetics?

The study of human speech sounds, how they’re produced and perceived.

What is morphology?

The study of the internal structure of words and how they're formed from smaller units (morphemes).

What is syntax?

The study of sentence structure, including phrase and clause construction.

What is semantics?

The study of meaning in language, especially at the word and sentence level.

What is pragmatics?

The study of meaning in context, focusing on how speakers use language in social situations.

How do microlinguistics and macrolinguistics complement each other?

Microlinguistics explains how language is structured internally; macrolinguistics explains how it's used and evolves in the real world.

What is a morpheme?

Morphemes are the smallest grammatical units. Words consist of one or more morphemes.

A morpheme doesn’t always equal a syllable. Explain.

• Morphemes are like puzzle pieces. Each piece (morpheme) has its own picture (meaning)

• Syllables are like beats in music.

  • In the word ‘cat’, there is one beat (syllable) and one picture (morpheme)

    • In the word ‘ba-na-na’, there are three beats (syllables) but one picture (morpheme)

Explain: derivation and zero derivation

• Derivation → adding suffixes→ shy+ ly→ shyly

• zero derivation→ ‘work’ can be a noun and a verb without it changing.

What is compounding?

• Two existing words that form a new one when combined.

  • eg: dog + catcher = dog catcher

What is abbreviation

• a shortenend form of a word

  • Asap, e.g.

What is an acronym?

• Abbreviation formed from the letters of the word/

  • e.g. NASA

What’s a maxim?

A general truth, a fundamental principle or a rule of conduct.

Give the 4 maxims of conversation.

• Quantity

• Relevance

• Manner

• Quality

Maxim: Quantity. explain

Say neither more or less than the discourse requires.

Maxim: Relevance. explain

Be relevant

Maxim: Manner.explain

Be brief and orderly: avoid ambiguity and obscurity

Maxim: Quality.explain

Do not lie: do not make unsupported claims.