Podcast
Questions and Answers
What characterizes micro-linguistics?
What characterizes micro-linguistics?
Which linguistic study is interested in how small changes in a word can give clues to larger trends?
Which linguistic study is interested in how small changes in a word can give clues to larger trends?
What is the focus of prescriptive grammar?
What is the focus of prescriptive grammar?
Which linguistic study looks at a language across time periods?
Which linguistic study looks at a language across time periods?
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What type of linguist studies the Latin language influence on English from the Roman Empire's expansion?
What type of linguist studies the Latin language influence on English from the Roman Empire's expansion?
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Which linguistic study focuses on describing the language as it is used rather than how it should be used?
Which linguistic study focuses on describing the language as it is used rather than how it should be used?
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Study Notes
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.
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Description
Explore the differences between macro-linguistics and micro-linguistics. Learn about the study of language on a large scale and the observation of language on a small scale, including concepts like grammar, syntax, and word usage.
