This article was written by Elijah Emory-Muhammad of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
The English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton penned the adage “the pen is mightier than the sword” in 1839, which suggests that communication is a tool stronger than any weapon. What has refined this tool of communication is language. For thousands of years language has been a catalyst for thrilling conversations and encounters. For an even longer time, language has without a doubt been used to guarantee survival. Even though there are over 6,000 languages spoken in the world, excluding dialects, linguistics can be summed up as the scientific study of language.
The field of linguistics has researchers take a scientific approach to the literary world by questioning the nature and function of language through testing hypotheses, making keen observations and developing theories. Linguistics encompasses many other studies such as morphology and phonetics. These related studies also play a major role in delving into the wonders and mysteries of language. For example, morphology has to do with how words are actually formed, whereas phonetics takes a more psychological route by examining how humans make and perceive sounds.
Some other subfields of linguistics are syntax and semantics. According to Oxford Languages, syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences; however, the study of syntax focuses on the fundamentals that control the structures of sentences. Semantics is intertwined with linguistics as well as philosophy because it involves the meaning of words, phrases or sentences. Linguistics, along with its various subfields, acts as a crucial webbing that interconnects the bases for communication.
With all of the fields associated with linguistics, it should be no surprise that the amount of professions offered by the study is comparable to the amount of languages that are spoken throughout the world. Linguistics can open paths to teaching, forensics, publishing, diplomacy, and many more. Linguistics even plays a large role in technological development through its additions to artificial intelligence and speech recognition.
It is also common for linguists to pursue a path in academia. After extensive research and devotion to a life of science, linguists often become professors in hopes of spreading their findings throughout the scientific community. Contributions to the scientific community create a better understanding of nature, especially because linguistics has a main concern of discerning between human language and other animal communication systems.
The role that linguistics plays in certain areas and subjects is irreplaceable. History is better understood thanks to linguists’ ability to classify languages into groups, which provides insight into major and minor historical events alike. Additionally, without linguistics, speech pathologists would have a hard time helping those with speech and language disorders. Linguistics can often be one of the overlooked saviors for those 5 percent to 10 percent of Americans who may have communication disorders while still serving the thoughts of others.
By studying linguistics, people really learn how to communicate their ideas with one another more effectively. This helps deal with the nuances of speech that people may encounter in their everyday lives. Overall, linguistics helps achieve a better understanding of the world through its own specific inquiries and discoveries.
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