Major Areas or Domains of Linguistics:

 

Linguistics can be divided into two sections-
1.       Theoretical or descriptive linguistics
2.       Applied linguistics
 
1.       Theoretical linguistics:
Theoretical linguistics is the branch of linguistics that focuses on understanding the fundamental structures and rules of language.  Theoretical linguistics is concerned with theories or description and analysis of the ways a language operates. The elements of this linguistics are phonetics, phonology, Morphology, syntax, and semantics.
a) Phonetics:
The study of how sounds of human speech are made is known as phonetics. It helps us to understand the articulatory, auditory, and acoustic process of producing speech sounds.
b)  Phonology:
Phonology is the study of the selection and organization of sounds in a particular language. It covers phonemics (synchronic phonology) and diachronic phonology.
c)  Morphology:
Morphology is the study of word structure. It is the grammar of words. It is that part of grammar that is connected to the study and analysis of the structure and study classes of words.
d)  Syntax:
Syntax is the grammar of the sentence. It includes the study of forming and understanding correct sentences.
e)  Semantics:
Semantics deals with how meaning is encoded in a language. It focuses on meaning- how words and sentences convey ideas. It explains antonyms, synonyms, homonyms, polysemy, contradictions, and transformations of the language. Its small unit is ‘sememe’. Sememe is the smallest function unit of meaning.
·       Synonyms:
A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning in a particular context. It can be used interchangeably in sentences to avoid repetition and improve writing style.
 ·       Antonyms:
An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. It helps to understand contrasts in language and expressions more clearly.
·       Homonyms:
Words that have the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings and origins. For example, ' right and ‘write’ have the same pronunciation but different spelling and meaning. The word ‘right’ means correct, and the word ‘write’ means scribble.
·       Polysemy:
 Some words have the same spelling and pronunciation but multiple meanings. the coexistence of many possible meanings for a word or a phrase. For example, major. This word has different meanings depending on its usage. Sometimes, major means ‘a financial institution’.  Again, bank means ‘the side of a river’.
f)  Pragmatics:
Pragmatics is the study of language in context. It focuses on how meaning is influenced by context, speaker intention and social norms.
 
2.       Applied linguistics:
The application of the concept and the method of linguistics which deals with the practical problems involving language is called applied linguistics. It’s not just about learning languages but using linguistic knowledge in a practical setting. The elements of applied linguistics are-
o   Language teaching and learning- it includes language acquisition, teaching and learning methods, curriculum design and assessment, etc.
o   Translation and interpretation:
o   Forensic linguistics
o   Discourse analysis
o   Clinical linguistics
o   Sociolinguistics,
o   Psycholinguistics and
o    Stylistics.
 
o   Sociolinguistics:
Sociolinguistics is the study of how language is influenced by social factors such as culture, class, ethnicity, and region. It explores the interaction between language and the structure and function of society. It is a society where men acquire and use language. For example, dialect, code-switching, etc.
 
o   Psycholinguistics:
It is the branch of linguistics that deals with the relationship between language and mind. It studies how the human mind processes language.  The word ‘psycholinguistics’ comes from ‘psycho’ (the mind or mental process) and ‘linguistics’ (the scientific study of language). It focuses on the psychological and neurobiological factors that allow humans to acquire, use, understand, and produce language.

o   Stylistics:

The study of the aesthetic uses of languages. Particularly the use of language in literature.  It enhances the beauty of literary works by using its aesthetic aspects like the ironic use of words, comic efforts, archaism, etc.