1. Characteristics of Language
Language is arbitrary, meaning there is no natural connection between words and their meanings. It
is conventional because it depends on social agreement among speakers. Language is systematic
and follows grammatical rules. It is productive, allowing speakers to create infinite sentences.
Language is dynamic as it changes over time, and it is uniquely human.
2. Main Branches of Linguistics
The main branches of linguistics include Phonetics (study of speech sounds), Phonology (sound
systems), Morphology (word structure), Syntax (sentence structure), Semantics (meaning), and
Pragmatics (meaning in context).
3. Phonetics and Phonology
Phonetics studies the physical aspects of speech sounds, while Phonology studies how sounds
function within a language. Phonetics is universal and physical; phonology is language-specific and
abstract.
4. Morphology
Morphology studies the structure of words and morphemes. Example: books = book + -s;
unhappiness = un + happy + ness.
5. Syntax
Syntax studies sentence structure and word order. Example: She is reading a book (correct) vs
Reading she book a is (incorrect).
6. Semantics and Pragmatics
Semantics studies literal meaning, while Pragmatics studies meaning in context. Example: “It’s cold
here” may pragmatically mean “Close the window.”
Language is arbitrary, meaning there is no natural connection between words and their meanings. It
is conventional because it depends on social agreement among speakers. Language is systematic
and follows grammatical rules. It is productive, allowing speakers to create infinite sentences.
Language is dynamic as it changes over time, and it is uniquely human.
2. Main Branches of Linguistics
The main branches of linguistics include Phonetics (study of speech sounds), Phonology (sound
systems), Morphology (word structure), Syntax (sentence structure), Semantics (meaning), and
Pragmatics (meaning in context).
3. Phonetics and Phonology
Phonetics studies the physical aspects of speech sounds, while Phonology studies how sounds
function within a language. Phonetics is universal and physical; phonology is language-specific and
abstract.
4. Morphology
Morphology studies the structure of words and morphemes. Example: books = book + -s;
unhappiness = un + happy + ness.
5. Syntax
Syntax studies sentence structure and word order. Example: She is reading a book (correct) vs
Reading she book a is (incorrect).
6. Semantics and Pragmatics
Semantics studies literal meaning, while Pragmatics studies meaning in context. Example: “It’s cold
here” may pragmatically mean “Close the window.”
