Linguistics

Phonetics

The branch of linguistics that deals with the sounds of human speech, including their production, transmission, and perception.Studies the physical properties of speech sounds.

Phonology

The study of the systematic organization of sounds in languages, focusing on how sounds function and pattern in particular languages. It examines the rules governing sound combinations and the abstract mental representations of sounds.

Morphology

The branch of linguistics concerned with the structure and formation of words, including the study of morphemes, which are the smallest units of meaning.

Syntax

The study of sentence structure and the rules that govern the arrangement of words and phrases to create meaningful sentences in a language.

Semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies meaning in language, including the interpretation of words, phrases, and sentences.

Pragmatics

The branch of linguistics that studies how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication, including the use of language in social situations.

creativity

The ability of language users to produce and understand an infinite number of sentences, including those that are novel or previously unheard.

generality

The characteristic of language that allows it to convey meaning across various contexts and situations, enabling communication about abstract concepts, past events, and future possibilities. This property highlights that language is not limited to specific instances but can apply to a wide range of topics and scenarios.

Onset

The initial consonant sound or sounds in a syllable, preceding the vowel. This can include single consonants or clusters of consonants.

Nucleus

The vowel sound in a syllable, which is typically the most prominent part and can stand alone as a syllable.

Coda

The consonant sound or sounds that follow the nucleus in a syllable, completing the syllable structure. It can consist of one or more consonants.

Rhyme

The nucleus and coda of syllables.

Predicate

The part of a sentence or clause that expresses what is said about the subject, typically including the verb and any objects or modifiers.

VP

Verb Phrase, a syntactic unit that includes the verb and its complements, objects, and modifiers.abbreviation

NP

A syntactic unit that includes a noun and its modifiers such as determiners and adjectives. abbreviation

Subject

The noun or pronoun the performs the action of the verb in the sentence.

Parity

All languages tend to have the same total complexity.

Universality

The principle that certain linguistic features or structures are common to all natural languages. Examples include that all languages must have at least three vowels and five continents, and that all languages must have nouns and verbs.

Substantive

A word or group of words that functions like a noun in syntax.

Mutability

All natural languages change over time.

Descriptivism

The principle of describing a language as it naturally evolves.

Prescriptivism

The practice of instructing others on how to use language.

Articulatory phonetics

The study of how speech sounds are made by vocal organs.

Glottis

The area between the vocal cords that air passes through

Arytenoid cartilages

Cartilage in the glottis. In voiced sounds they pull the vocal cords together in voiceless sounds they do not.

Vocal tract

Every speech organ above the larynx.

nasal cavity

Inside of nose.

Oral cavity

Inside of mouth.