Linguistics

Morphology
-the study of the forms of words.
-is the study of words, how they are formed,
and their relationship to other words in the
same language. It analyzes the structure of
words and parts of words, such as stems, root
words, prefixes, and suffixes.
-Morphology is the study of the internal
structure of words and forms a core part of
linguistic study today.
Examples:
Pingelapese is a Micronesian language spoken on the Pingelap
atoll and on two of the eastern Caroline Islands, called the high
island of Pohnpei. Similar to other languages, words in
Pingelapese can take different forms to add to or even change
its meaning. Verbal suffixes are morphemes added at the end
of a word to change its form. Prefixes are those that are added
at the front. For example, the Pingelapese suffix –kin means
‘with’ or 'at.’ It is added at the end of a verb.
• ius = to use --> ius-kin = to use with
• mwahu = to be good --> mwahu-kin = to be good at
• sa- is an example of a verbal prefix. It is added to the
beginning of a word and means ‘not.’
• pwung = to be correct --> sa-pwung = to be incorrect
 Pragmatics
- the branch of linguistics dealing with language in
use and the contexts in which it is used, including
such matters as deixis, taking turns in conversation,
text organization, presupposition, and implicature.
- Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics and semiotics
that studies the ways in which context contributes to
meaning. Pragmatics encompasses speech act
theory, conversational implicature, talk in interaction
and other approaches to language behavior in
philosophy, sociology, linguistics and anthropology.
Examples:
Without the function of Pragmatics, there would be
very little understanding of intention and meaning.
We would like to demonstrate this by showing you
how life would be WITHOUT Pragmatics:
• ‘Can you pass the salt?’
Literal Meaning: Are you physically able to do this
task?
Literal Response: ‘Yes’
(Pragmatic Meaning: Will you pass me the salt?
Pragmatic Response: pass the salt to the speaker.)
 Semantics
- Semantics is the linguistic and philosophical study
of meaning, in language, programming languages,
formal logics, and semiotics.
- the branch of linguistics and logic concerned with
meaning. There are a number of branches and
subbranches of semantics, including formal
semantics, which studies the logical aspects of
meaning, such as sense, reference, implication, and
logical form, lexical semantics, which studies word
meanings and word relations, and conceptual
semantics, which studies the cognitive structure of
meaning.
Examples:
Multiple Meanings Words Without Meanings
Here are some examples of Advertisers use certain
words with more than one
words, some without any
meaning:
• A water pill at first glance
real meaning at all, to
could be a pill with water in it; convey certain impressions.
but, it is understood to be a  For example:
diuretic that causes a person • Cleans like a white
to lose water from his body. tornado
• Crash can mean auto accident,
• Do you have tired blood?
a drop in the Stock Market, to
attend a party without being • Go for the gusto
invited, ocean waves hitting
the shore or the sound of a
cymbals being struck together.
Examples:
Words That Are Plays on Words
Words can be a pun, a play on words. Puns use
multiple meanings of words and homophones
(where the pronunciation is the same but the
spelling and meaning are different).
Here are some examples of puns:
• "One morning I shot an elephant in my
pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll
never know."-Groucho Marx
• Let’s talk about rights and lefts. You’re right,
so I left.
• Seen at a pizza shop - 7 days without pizza
makes one weak.
• Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a
banana.
 Syntax
- In Linguistics, syntax is the set of rules,
principles, and processes that govern the
structure of sentences in a given language,
usually including word order. The term
syntax is also used to refer to the study of
such principles and processes.
- the arrangement of words and phrases to
create well-formed sentences in a language.
"the syntax of English"
Examples:
• Incorrect - While watching a movie, people
who text on their phone are very annoying.
• Correct - People who text on their
phone while watching a movie are very
annoying.
• Incorrect - Happy about her upcoming
promotion, the trip home was full of singing.
• Correct - Happy about her upcoming
promotion, Sammie sang all the way home.