Linguistics

Fields of Linguistics and the Difference between Language Acquisition and Language Learning

• Applied Linguistics encompasses all applications of linguistic theory and language learning and education.
• Computational Linguistics uses computer science to study computational systems that process or analyze written or spoken natural language.
• Neurolinguistics studies the comprehension, production, and abstract knowledge of language and human brain mechanisms.
• Corpus Linguistics studies the linguistic properties of an extended passage, text, or corpus of texts.
• Forensic Linguistics deals with the interface between language, the law, and crime.
• Psycholinguistics studies the psychological and neurological factors that enable humans to acquire, use, and comprehend language.
• Sociolinguistics studies the effect of society on the way language is used.
• Anthropological Linguistics studies human communication within a sociocultural context and the origin and evolution of language.
• Pragmatics studies the ways in which a situation influences the meaning and understanding of spoken language or non-verbal communication.
• Historical Linguistics studies linguistic change over time in a particular language (family).
• Language acquisition is an unconscious process that occurs during childhood through natural communication with a caregiver.
• Language learning is a deductive process that occurs through direct instruction in the rules of language, typically in a classroom setting.

Fields of Linguistics and the Difference between Language Acquisition and Language Learning

• Applied Linguistics encompasses all applications of linguistic theory and language learning and education.
• Computational Linguistics uses computer science to study computational systems that process or analyze written or spoken natural language.
• Neurolinguistics studies the comprehension, production, and abstract knowledge of language and human brain mechanisms.
• Corpus Linguistics studies the linguistic properties of an extended passage, text, or corpus of texts.
• Forensic Linguistics deals with the interface between language, the law, and crime.
• Psycholinguistics studies the psychological and neurological factors that enable humans to acquire, use, and comprehend language.
• Sociolinguistics studies the effect of society on the way language is used.
• Anthropological Linguistics studies human communication within a sociocultural context and the origin and evolution of language.
• Pragmatics studies the ways in which a situation influences the meaning and understanding of spoken language or non-verbal communication.
• Historical Linguistics studies linguistic change over time in a particular language (family).
• Language acquisition is an unconscious process that occurs during childhood through natural communication with a caregiver.
• Language learning is a deductive process that occurs through direct instruction in the rules of language, typically in a classroom setting.

Acquisition vs Language Learning: Understanding the Differences

• Children acquire language subconsciously through natural communication with their caregiver(s).
• They repeat what is said to them and develop a feel for correct language use without being aware of grammatical rules.
• Infants acquire their first language(s) naturally, while second language acquisition may occur later and include reading and writing.
• Language learning involves direct instruction in the rules of language and a deductive approach to intonations, phonology, morphology, and syntax.
• Reading and writing are not intuitive and require learning rules for each language.
• Language acquisition and language learning are processed differently in the brain, with the Broca's area actively involved in acquisition and the Wernicke's area involved in learning.
• Language imitation theory suggests that children acquire language by copying utterances, but innateness theory proposes that children are born with an innate capacity for language development.
• The Language Acquisition Device (L.A.D.) is an innate device that allows infants to make sense of linguistic input and form hypotheses about language use.
• Cognitive theory further develops the idea of innateness and explains language use with reference to underlying mental processes.
• The role of input in first language acquisition is exemplified by "motherese," the simplified, affective language used by mothers when communicating with infants.
• Motherese facilitates language acquisition by providing clear, attention-catching input.
• Schools also play an important role in language input, as children encounter higher levels of language formality in academic settings.