BRANCHES OF LINGUISTICS

Phonology

• First component of linguistics, derived from the Greek word "phonema," meaning sounds.
• Explores the structure and cognitive aspects of speech based on speech units and pronunciation patterns.
• Two main branches:
  • Sound Production/Articulation: Examines how speech sounds are produced.
  • Sound Distribution and Function: Analyzes how sounds are distributed and their roles in language.

Phonetics

• Studies both speech and non-speech sounds, focusing on sounds in spoken language.
• Three major branches include:
  • Articulatory Phonetics: Investigates how speakers produce sounds.
  • Auditory Phonetics: Focuses on how receivers perceive sounds.
  • Acoustic Phonetics: Studies the physical properties of sounds.
• Frequency of sound is measured in Hertz; 1 Hertz equals one cycle per second.

Sound Characteristics

• Sound qualities include pitch (highness or lowness) and loudness (measured in decibels).
• Common sound levels:
  • Whisper: around 20 dB
  • Normal tone: typically 60 dB
  • Noisy environments: above 85 dB.

Basic Concepts

• Phoneme: Smallest unit of sound in oral words.
• Phonologist: A specialist who studies sounds and their functions in language.

Morphology

• Studies the structure and classification of words in a specific language.
• Morpheme: The smallest meaningful part of a word.
• Involves understanding the arrangement and order of words, reflecting hierarchical relationships.

Semantics

• Examines the meaning conveyed by words.
• Originates from the Greek word for "significant," and involves word meanings, relationships, sentence meanings, and ambiguity.
• Analyzes word structure, formation, categories, and properties.

Syntax

• Studies the functions of language and the context of language use.
• Investigates the arrangements and sequences of words in sentences, focusing on linguistic forms and their users.