Introduction to Language & Linguistics

INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE

Having the ability for spoken, written, and, in instances of sign language, signed words is referred to as language. Our social connections are shaped by language, which also gives our life structure. One of the characteristics that distinguishes us as humans is complex language. Grammar and lexicon are two ideas that distinguish language from other notions.

1. Grammar & Lexicon
Each language has its own unique set of rules. The term "grammar" refers to these standards. The grammar of a language has been ingrained by its speakers, including its exceptions. Every aspect of language has rules, including how words, phrases, and sentences are put together.

Each language has its own regulations that serve as a structure for effective communication. Every language used by humans has a lexicon, which is the collection of all its words. Humans are capable of communicating an unlimited quantity of ideas by combining words according to grammatical principles to create logical sentences.

INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS

1. Phonetics & Phonology

When studying language, linguists use an objective approach, applying scientific techniques and thorough research to develop theories about how people learn, use, and even misuse language. To understand more about language from the perspective of psychology, it is helpful to comprehend the various fields of linguistics.
Phonology is the study of phonemes, which refer to the speech sounds of a particular language, whereas phonetics refers to individual speech sounds or the science of speech. Both of these disciplines include all human speech and the sounds that distinguish distinct languages, and they strongly overlap in certain subfields of study.

2. Morphology

The analysis of words and other significant linguistic constructions such as suffixes and prefixes is known as morphology. The link between words like "dog" and "dogs" or "walk" and "walking," as well as how individuals distinguish between such words, would be relevant to morphologists.

According to a German Linguist, Hasplemath (2002:2), Morphology is the study of systematic covariation in the form and meaning of words. By this meaning, it can be inferred that words have a system. This system is connected to another system, or in other words, each words is connected to other word.

3. Syntax

The study of the structure of sentences and phrases, or the way people arrange their words so they make sense when they speak, is known as syntax. Every language has fundamental syntax rules, which together with morphological rules make up the grammar of each language.
The difference between "Emmie walked the dog" and "The dog walked Emmie" is an illustration of how syntax affects language. The words must be in the correct order for the sentence to convey the intended meaning since the arrangement of the phrases is not always random.

4. Semantics & Pragmatics

In general, semantics is concerned with how statements are understood. A person who analyses semantics has an interest in words along with what they indicate or point to in the real world.
As an example, someone yelling "Fire!" has a totally different meaning if they're on the receiving end of a seven-gun salute than it would if they are sitting in a full movie theatre. Pragmatics is an expansive field that explores how the context of a phrase influences meaning.