Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS (SEE 1)

Canoza, Andres Miguel V.

BSEd 1-E (English)

LINGUISTICS AND ITS BRANCHES

Linguistics
The word ‘linguistics’ has been derived from the Latin word lingua, which means tongue,
and istics, which means knowledge or science. Linguistics is, thus, the scientific study of
language. Linguistics also has the framework and theoretical methods that can be categorized as
the scientific method, specifically tailored for human and social studies. Language analysis is
systematically conducted within the framework of a general theory of language structure
(Jufrizal, 2017).

I. Descriptive Linguistics
According to Prasad (2019), descriptive linguistics focuses on the description and
analysis of how a language operates and is used by a given set of speakers at a given time. He
elucidated it as the fundamental aspect of the study of languages. He further stated that it
explains how a language works, rather than how a language should be and its relation with other
languages. Descriptive language also describes the language systematically at all levels, such as
phonology, morphology, syntax, and syntactic analysis.

A. Phonology
Phonology involves the examination of speech sounds and their role within the
sound structure of a specific language, encompassing both phonemics and phonetics
(Prasad, 2019).
Phonemics
It explains the theoretical and comparative dimensions of sound. More
precisely, it pertains to a linguistic aspect focused on categorizing, analyzing,
establishing connections, and recognizing environmental alterations in the
phonemes of a language (Kortmann, 2020).
Phonetics
This discipline delves into the processes of speech, including anatomy,
neurological aspects, speech pathology, and the articulation, classification, and
perception of speech sounds. It is regarded as a pure science and does not
necessarily require exploration in the context of a specific language. The practical

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS (SEE 1)

applications of this field are diverse, encompassing areas such as phonetic

transcription, language instruction, speech therapy, and communications
engineering (Prasad, 2019).

B. Morphology
As per Prasad (2019), morphology explores the patterns of word formation by
combining sounds into minimal units of meaning, termed morphemes. He further stated
that it involves the regulations guiding the combination of morphemes, incorporating the
addition of prefixes and suffixes to construct words. Prasad's research clarifies that
morphology also investigates alterations in the construction of words, such as the
transformation of the morpheme 'do' into 'does,' 'did,' and 'done.' These modifications
may signify a shift in either tense or number.

C. Syntax
Syntax is a branch of grammar that studies the arrangement of words in sentences.
It describes the grammar and lexis of sentences, examining how words combine to form
phrases, phrases combine to form clauses, and clauses combine to form sentences. Syntax
encompasses the description of the rules governing the positioning of elements such as
nouns, noun phrases, verbs, verb phrases, adverbs, and adverbial phrases within sentences
and their respective functions (Prasad, 2019).

D. Syntactic Analysis
As defined by Kortmann (2020), syntactic analysis focuses on the structural
dimension of language, investigating the different elements within a sentence. This marks
a new perspective in grammar, proposed by linguists like Ferdinand de Saussure, Franz
Boas, Edward Sapir, and Bloomfield. This linguistic approach is commonly referred to as
structuralism.

II. Historical Linguistics

Prasad (2019) defined historical linguistics as the study of the developments in languages
over time, exploring how languages change from one period to another and examining the causes
and consequences of such changes. Prasad noted that it must be based on the description of two
or more stages in the development of the language under study.

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www.neust.edu.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS (SEE 1)

III. Comparative Linguistics

Comparative linguistics deals with the differences among languages. If Hindi is
contrasted with Urdu or Tamil with Telugu, such distinctions fall under the umbrella of
comparative linguistics. It is based on the synchronic description of languages (Kortmann, 2020).

IV. Other Branches of Linguistics

Modern linguistics has seen the emergence of various branches that explore both the
inner workings of the human mind and the external dynamics of society and social relationships.
These newly developed branches include psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, anthropological
linguistics, and ethnolinguistics.

A. Psycholinguistics
According to Prasad's study (2019), psycholinguistics investigates mental
processes, including thought and concept formation. The concept was developed in the
early sixties and has covered a broad spectrum, ranging from phonetics to language
pathology. However, it is now confined to the areas of language and linguistic theory that
psycholinguists tend to focus on. The field has been significantly influenced by the
generative theory and what are referred to as mentalists.

B. Sociolinguistics
Sociolinguistics is a branch of linguistics which examines how language and
society interact, where society plays a significant role in language. For example,
language undergoes changes in form and structure based on social conditions, such as
social class, gender, religion, and cultural groups (Prasad, 2019).

C. Anthropological Linguistics
Anthropological linguistics is a subset of sociolinguistics, focusing on a particular
aspect of the development of language within human society and its contribution to the
shaping of culture (Prasad, 2019).

D. Ethnolinguistics
Ethnolinguistics is a specific field within sociolinguistics that examines language
variations arising from social interactions among specific human races and cultures.

Transforming Communities through Science and Technology Email: coedresoffice.neust@gmail.com

www.neust.edu.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS (SEE 1)

These variations often result from speakers' migration or their residence in border areas
(Prasad, 2019).
REFERENCES

Jufrizal, M. (2017). Language and linguistics. Pustaka. Ut. Ac. Id, 38(3), 20-21.
Kortmann, B. (2020). English linguistics: essentials. Springer Nature.
https://books.google.com.ph/books?
id=0PoFEAAAQBAJ&dq=main+branches+of+linguistics&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Prasad, T. (2019). A course in linguistics, third edition. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
https://books.google.com.ph/books?
id=J7eoDwAAQBAJ&dq=branches+of+linguistics&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Transforming Communities through Science and Technology Email: coedresoffice.neust@gmail.com

www.neust.edu.ph