1. What is Linguistics? The word ‘ linguistics’ has been derived from Latin. Linguistics Etymologically, therefore, linguistics is the scientific study of language. But it is not the study of one particular language but of all human languages in general. © Dr. K. T. Khader Lingua = tongueistics = knowledge or science

2. -It is scientific because it follows the general methodology of science (controlled observation, hypothesis, formation, analysis, generalization, prediction, testing for further observation, and confirmation, modification or rejection). - So linguistics is that science which studies the origin, organization, nature and development of language descriptively, historically, comparatively and explicitly and formulates the general rules to language. © Dr. K. T. Khader

3. - A linguist is a person who studies language in all its aspects. P.S. A person who knows several languages is a polyglot. A linguist in not necessarily a polyglot and a polyglot may not be a linguist. - The linguist identifies and describes the units & patters of the sound system, the words & morphemes, and the phrases & sentences, that is, the structure of language. © Dr. K. T. Khader

4. What is the aim of linguistics? linguistics has two major aims:  To study the nature of language and establish a theory of language,  To describe a language and all languages by applying the theory established. © Dr. K. T. Khader

5. Branches of Linguistics A full understanding of the branches of linguistics can be represented by the following figure borrowed from Jean Aitchison: © Dr. K. T. Khader

6. -In the centre is phonetics, the study of human speech sounds. - A phonetician is concerned with the actual sounds, the raw material out of which languages is made. - Phonology ( sound patterning) © Dr. K. T. Khader