Gillispie, Brooklynn 1
EDBE 3003
Dr. Hansen-Thomas
September 9, 2008
What is Linguistics?
According to Webster’s Dictionary online the term linguistics means, “The study of human speech
including the units, nature, structure, and modification of language”. (Webster’s, 2008) The text book
breaks the definition down to simpler terms by explaining linguistics as, “the scientific study of a
language”. (Brown & Attardo, 2005) In agreement with both of these definitions one can conclude that
linguistics deals with the technical study of language. In describing the components of linguistics, the
sounds of language, the meaning of language, and the way it all fits together seem to be the key
components in the study of language.
The sounds of the language become the first and foremost piece of studying the speech. The
linguistics in this area covers the phonetics which includes the International Phonetic Alphabet or IPA.
With this alphabet, the linguists have uncovered each sound that is articulated in the mouth / nasal
region. From the smallest breath of air to the stresses that some sounds make, each is documented in
this alphabet. The IPA allows a person to transcribe a word down to the simplest of sound meaning.
Linguists are able to simplify each unit to its smallest entity.
Next, is the meaning of the language. Part of an activity in class was spent depicting the correct
noun/verb meaning of the same word that was pronounced differently depending on the variation of
the word used. Linguists must then study the parts of language and how each plays into one another.
The meaning of language must remain consistent because each person has their own way of
pronouncing and speaking that words can come out differently depending upon the person. Also,
where the speaker stresses the parts of the word can change the meaning as well.
Gillispie, Brooklynn 2
EDBE 3003
Dr. Hansen-Thomas
September 9, 2008
Last, is how it all works and fits together. This would be the syntax and semantics of it all. It
would all come together in sentences or the finished product of making the sound and portraying the
correct meaning. The next step would be to make speech actually come out either orally or written so
that it is understood and used as a benefit.
In conclusion, the linguistics of language and linguists take language done to its bare minimum
by breaking each segment into a smaller piece so that it all flows. There is so much more to speech and
writing than just words. Those words come from a tiny sound and when it is all put together it allows
communication.
Gillispie, Brooklynn 3
EDBE 3003
Dr. Hansen-Thomas
September 9, 2008
References
linguistics. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Retrieved September 9, 2008, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linguistics.
Brown, S. & Attardo, S. (2005) Understanding Language Structure, Interaction, and Variation. 2nd ed,
The University of Michigan Press, MI (p. 387).