Definition

INTRODUCTION
TO LINGUISTICS
Definitions Instructor: Prof. Dr.
Siusana Kweldju
Linguistics is one of the compulsory subjects in English Language Education

Program, as it acts as the standard for linguistic competency. How do we define
linguistics?
1 The simplest definition of linguistics is that it is the science of language.
2 Linguistics is the scientific study of language (Wardhaugh, 1972:213).
3 Linguistics is the study of human speech including the units, nature,
structure, and modification of language.
4 Linguistics is a study to observe language in action as a means for determining how
language has developed, how it functions today, and how it is currently evolving.” (G.
Duffy)
5 Linguistics is a study that is concerned with the nature of human language, how it is
learned and what part it plays in the life of the individual and the community.” (S. Pit
Corder)
6 Linguistic is the scientific study of language which must conform the
following requirements: (a) Linguistics must have a subject matter. The
subject matter of linguistic is all the system of articulated sound used today
by humans in their carrying on of their affairs, that is all living language. It
is also include records language that have been used at some time in the
past, namely records and magnetic tapes.
(b) Linguistic produce careful objective descriptions. The method of
observation used by linguits various, including simple listening, phonetic
transcription, and the use of various instruments, such as oscilographs,
sound spectograps, and kymograps. Record made in these way constitute
various kinds of objective description (Francis, 1958: 15-7).
7 Linguistics is the study of the knowledge systems that enables speakers of
the language to communicate with each other, to express ideas, hypotheses,
emotions, desires, and all the other things that need expressing. In all their
aspects:
(a) how is such a knowledge system structured,
(b) how is it acquired,
(c) how is it used in the production and comprehension of messages,
(d) how does it change over time?
Linguists consequently are concerned with a number of particular questions
about the nature of language.
(a) What properties do all human languages have in common?
(b) How do languages differ, and to what extent are the differences
systematic, i.e. can we find patterns in the differences?
(c) How do children acquire such complete knowledge of a language in
such a short time?
(d) What are the ways in which languages can change over time, and are
there limitations to how languages change?
(e) What is the nature of the cognitive processes that come into play
when we produce and understand language?
8 Linguistics is the systematic study of the structure and evolution of human
language, and it is applicable to every aspect of human endeavor
9 Linguistics is defined as the scientific study of language .It is
the
systematic study of the elements of language and the principles governing
their combination and organization. Linguistics provides for a rigorous
experimentation with the elements or aspects of language that are actually
in use by the speech community. It is based on observation and the data
collected thereby from the users of the language, a scientific analysis is
made by the investigator and at the end of it he comes out
with a
satisfactory explanation relating to his field of study. This sort
of
systematic study of language has rendered the traditional method
language study outmoded or unfit for any theorization. (Sreekumar, 2011 :
20
Linguistics is defined as the scientific study of language .It is
the
with a
of
20
Linguistics is defined as the scientific study of language .It is
the
with a
of
20
Linguistics is defined as the scientific study of language. It is
the systematic study of the elements of language and the principles
governing their combination and organization. Linguistics provides for a
rigorous experimentation with the elements or aspects of language that are
actually in use by the speech community. It is based on observation and the
data collected thereby from the users of the language, a scientific analysis is
with a satisfactory explanation relating to his field of study. This
sort of systematic study of language has rendered the traditional
method language study outmoded or unfit for any theorization (Sreekumar,
2011:20).
10 Linguistics is a study that focuses on theories of language structure,

variation and use, the description and documentation of contemporary
languages, and the implications of theories of language for an understanding
of the mind and brain, human culture, social behavior, and language
learning and teaching.

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INTRODUCTION

Linguistics is one of the compulsory subjects in English Language Education

10 Linguistics is a study that focuses on theories of language structure,

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