Macro and Micro Linguistic Studies

Macro-linguistics vs. Micro-linguistics

• Macro-linguistics studies language on a large scale, examining development and trends of languages and usage.
• Micro-linguistics observes language on a small scale, focusing on concepts of grammar, syntax, and individual words.
• Micro-linguists analyze small changes in words or linguistic elements to identify larger trends and understand how language works.

Examples of Micro-linguistics

• Analyzing the evolution of "thou thee thy thine" to "you, you, your, yours" in modern English.
• Examining the formation of contractions (e.g., wouldn't, won't, can't, doesn't) and their evolution.

Macro-linguistics

• Studies major changes in language influenced by external forces, such as the Latin language influence on English from the Roman Empire's expansion.

Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Grammar

• Prescriptive grammar focuses on how a language should or ought to be used.
• Descriptive grammar describes the language as it is used, without prescribing how it should be used.

Diachronic vs. Synchronic Linguistics

• Diachronic linguistics studies a language across time, examining changes over time.
• Synchronic linguistics focuses on a language in a specific period of time.
• Diachronic linguistics can be used to study how language around historically marginalized groups has changed over time.