Language in general and language in particular can be studied from different points of view •

The field of linguistics as a whole can be divided into several subfields according to the point of view that
is adopted.

General linguistic generally describes the concepts and categories of a particular language or among all
language.

Like most academic disciplines, linguistics has been divided into numerous overlapping subfields.

In order to study language at a closer level, scholars have broken down linguistics into various branches
for easy study. We also refer to this as levels of language study.

Language, as a very complex phenomenon, has been broken down into more manageable components
for easy study. We can see these components from three (3) broad categorisations: Phonology, Grammar
and Semantics. Embedded in these 3 major categorisations of the level of language study are the forms
and functions of language. Under phonology, we study phonetics and other speech-related disciplines;
under grammar, we consider syntax, morphology and other related fields while under semantics, we deal
with meaning of utterances in their various shades. Lexical relations (antonymy, synonymy, hyponymy,
etc.) come under semantics. Other concepts such as intentional meaning, conventional meaning,
connotation, denotation, etc. all come under semantic. In addition, applied linguistics falls into this
category also. Let us see each of these branches of linguistics or levels of language study as shown
below:

Linguistics is the science of language. It is the subject whose practitioners devote their energy to
understanding why human language is the way it is. They study the history, acquisition, structure, and
use of as many languages as possible.

The work of linguists falls into two main areas: language structure and language use.

Linguists interested in language structure consider the formal properties of language, including word
structure (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), speech sounds and the rules and patterns between
them (phonetics and phonology), and meaning in language (semantics and pragmatics).

Linguists also study the way that language is used, and this can cover a very broad range of subjects,
since language enters almost every area of human activity. Examples include: psycholinguistics (the
psychology of language acquisition and use); historical linguistics and the history of languages; applied
linguistics (using linguistic knowledge to help in real-world situations like language teaching);
sociolinguistics, varieties of English, discourse analysis and conversation analysis (language use in social
contexts) and stylistics (the use of different styles in language).
Research in Linguistics

You will find examples of research that has been undertaken in each area of linguistics. Research is an
important part of what linguists do in universities. All linguists engage in research alongside teaching,
which means that they are pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the area. At Sheffield, we have
specialists teaching and researching all areas of linguistics covered on this website, and students have
the opportunity to learn about and be involved in the very latest research as part of studying for their
degree programme.

Amongst the many branches are branches of pure linguistics (morphology, syntax, semantics, phonetics,
phonology) and of applied linguistics (amongst which socio- and psycholinguistics). The difference (to
use de Saussure’s terminology) is between “langue” (pure linguistics) which studies grammatical systems
and “parole” (applied linguistics) which studies language usage

Language in general and language in particular can be studied from different

points of view. In order to study language at a closer level, scholars have broken
down linguistics into various branches for easy study. We also refer to this as levels
of language study.The work of linguists on these levels or branches falls into two
main areas: language structure and language use.

Linguists interested in language structure consider the formal properties of

language, including word structure (morphology), sentence structure (syntax),
meaning in language (semantics and pragmatics), and speech sounds and the rules
and patterns between them (phonetics and phonology). under morpholgy, we study
the internal structure of words and how they can be modified; under syntax, we
study how words combine to form grammatical sentences; while under semantics,
we deal with meaning of utterances, fixed word combinations, and how these
combine to form a meaningful sentence. In communicative acts comes the concern
of pragmatics with the effect of context on these utterances' interpretation.
Moreover, sounds in human languge can be studied according to its physical
properties as in phonetics, or according to its function as in phonology.

Linguists also study the way that language is used, and this can cover a very broad
range of subjects dsince language enters almost every area of human activity.
Examples include: psycholinguistics (the psychology of language acquisition and
use); historical linguistics and the history of languages; applied linguistics (using
linguistic knowledge to help in real-world situations like language teaching);
sociolinguistics, varieties of English, discourse analysis and conversation analysis
(language use in social contexts) and stylistics (the use of different styles in
language).

finally, we can say that Amongst the many branches are branches of pure
linguistics (morphology, syntax, semantics, phonetics, phonology) and of applied
linguistics (such as socio- and psycholinguistics). the difference lies in the fact that
pure linguistics studis structural systems while applied linguistics concerns
language usage.