Specializations in Linguistics
Phonetics
The study of the sounds of human speech, focusing on the physical properties of speech sounds, their production, transmission, and perception.
Phonology
The study of how sounds function in particular languages or in a broader linguistic or sociolinguistic context, including sound patterns and systems.
Morphology
The study of the structure of words, including the formation and composition of words and their meaningful components, called morphemes.
Syntax
The study of sentence structure and the rules that govern the composition of phrases and sentences in languages.
Semantics
The study of meaning, focusing on how meaning is constructed in language, including word meaning, sentence meaning, and context.
Pragmatics
The study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language, including the relationship between signs and their users.
Sociolinguistics
The study of how language varies and changes in social groups, exploring the relationships between language and society.
Psycholinguistics
The study of the psychological processes underlying language comprehension, production, acquisition, and representation in the mind.
Neurolinguistics
The study of how language is processed in the brain, including the neurobiological mechanisms that support linguistic functions.
Applied Linguistics
The application of linguistic theories and methodologies to solve real-world problems related to language, including language teaching and policy.
Historical Linguistics
The study of the history and evolution of languages over time, including language change, language families, and etymology.
Computational Linguistics
The study of using computer algorithms and models to process and analyze human language, including natural language processing and machine translation.
Language Acquisition
The study of how individuals acquire language, focusing on the processes involved in learning a first or second language.
Discourse Analysis
The study of language use beyond the sentence level, focusing on the organization of language in texts and conversations and the context in which communication takes place.
Cognitive Linguistics
The study of language through the lens of cognitive processes and the relationship between linguistic and mental representations.
Field Linguistics
The study of languages through direct observation and data collection in natural settings, often involving the documentation of underdescribed or endangered languages.
Bilingualism and Multilingualism
The study of language use among individuals and communities that speak multiple languages, including the cognitive, social, and cultural aspects of bilingual or multilingual communication.
Corpus Linguistics
The study of language as expressed in corpora (bodies of text) and the use of computational tools to analyze language patterns and usage.
Language and Gender
The study of how language relates to gender identity and how language reflects, constructs, and reinforces gender roles.
Forensic Linguistics
The application of linguistic knowledge to legal issues, including the analysis of language in legal contexts and the use of linguistic evidence in court.
Language Contact and Change
The study of how languages interact and influence each other, leading to changes in language structure and patterns of use.
Translation Studies
The study of the process of translating text from one language to another and the theoretical, cultural, and practical aspects of translation.
Language Policy and Planning
The study of how governments and institutions influence language use and status through legislation, education, and other means.
Indigenous Languages and Cultures
The study of indigenous languages, including their documentation, preservation, and revitalization in the context of cultural heritage and identity.
Language Variation and Change
The study of the processes of language variation and historical development through sociolinguistic and dialectical perspectives.
Sign Language Linguistics
The study of sign languages, their structure, and use, including the comparison with spoken languages, and the cultural implications of sign language communication.
Language and Thought
The study of how language influences cognitive processes and the ways people conceptualize and interpret the world.
Critical Discourse Analysis
The examination of language as a means of social power and inequality, focusing on how discourse shapes and reflects societal issues.