OVERVIEW ON LINGUISTICS

A. Introduction
Linguistics is the study of language. It does not only study particular
languages, but also the system of human communication. Because language has a
complex structure, linguistics has many branches of study. The parts of linguistics
concerned with the structure of language are divided into some subfields, they are called
phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. Moreover, in terms of
language structure, linguistics falls into some branches, such as sociolinguistics,
psycholinguistics, ethnolinguistics (or anthropological linguistics), neurolinguistics,
and applied linguistics. Since language is very dynamic, then appeared many terms on
the study of language, such as: meta-linguistics, linguistics and computer, semiotics,
etc.
The main purpose of the study of Linguistics is to enhance our knowledge.
Since language is a fundamental need for all human interactions, so the main goal of the
study of language is to increase our knowledge and understanding related to the world.
Furthermore, this compilation on Linguistics is dedicated for brief overview on
linguistics.
B. Discussion
1.

Human Language
Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbol that are used/shared by the

members of a community for communication or interaction. There are many assumptions

on the source of human language. It is believed that human language

came from God, the nature and the human itself. Human language is very
unique ans special, it has some properties differentiating with animal language. Firs,
displacement -the ability to use time refence. Second, arbitrariness -there is not
correlation between the sound (name of the object) with the real objects. Third,
productivity -constantly create new expressions and utterances. Fourth, cultural
transmission -a language is continued from one generation to the next generation. Fifth,
duality -the same articulation among some different words.
2.

Phonology
Phonology is a branch (subfield) of linguistics which studies the sound of

language and how the sound is produced by the organs of speech (articulatory organs).
The articulatory organs are such as lips, tongue, alveolar, palate, etc. Phonology has two
branches; Phonetics and Phonemics. Phonetics is the study of how sounds are produced
through organs of speech with regarding the meaning while phonemic is the study of
how sounds are produced through organs of speech without considering the meaning.
The writing form of phonemic should be in detail while the phonetics writing form is just
in general.
There are two kinds of sounds, consonant and vowel sounds. Consonant sound
can be seen from three different perspectives. First, based on the place of articulation,
can be differentiated into seven categories: bilabials, labiodentals, dentals, alveolars,
palatals, velars, and glottals. Second, based on the manner of articulation, consonant
falls into seven categories; stops, fricatives, affricates, nasals, liquids, glides, glottal
stops and flaps. Third, Based on the strength of the sound, consonant sounds can be
divided into two: voiceless and voice sound. In the other hands, vowel sounds can be
seen from four angles (perspectives). First, based on the tongue height: High, mid, low
sounds. Second, based on the tongue advancement: Front, center, and back sounds.
Third, based on the muscular reaction: non-tense (relax) and tense sounds. The last,
based on the rounding of the tongue: round and unrounded sounds. Generally, we also
use what is called diphthongs, a single sounds consist of a combination of two vowel
sounds.
3.

Morphology
Morphology is one of linguistics branches that studies the form of language.

In each word, we have the smallest unit of meaning or grammatical function known as

morpheme. There are two kinds of morpheme. First, free morphemes, a single
morpheme which may stand alone as a word and have meaning. Second, bound
morphemes, a morpheme that usually sticked to another words form because it may not
stand alone. Free morphemes is divided into two categories: lexical morphemes, words
having the main content of the sentences or phrase, and functional morphemes,
functional words (conjunctions, prepositions, articles and pronouns). Bound morphemes
can be divided into two types, they are derivational morphemes (to change the category
of the words) and inflectional morphemes (to make clear the aspects of the grammatical
function of a word).
4.

Semantics
Semantics is the branch of linguistics which is study the meaning of words,

phrases and sentences. In understanding the meaning, we will face two terms, they are
conceptual and associative meaning. In semantic, there are some roles: first, Agent and
theme. Agent is something performs the action, while theme is something affected by the
action. Second, Instrument and experiencer. The third, location, source and goal.
There are some analysis of lexical relations: (1). Synonymy, two or more
words that have the same or closely meanings, (2). Antonymy, two or more words that
have opposite meanings, (3). Hyponymy, in which the meaning of one or two words are
included in the meaning of another word, (4). Prototypes, the characteristic instance of a
category, (5). Homophones, two or more different written words that have the same
pronunciation, (6) Homonyms, one form of words (written/spoken) that have two or
more unrelated meanings, (7). Polysemy, two or more words with the same meanings,
(8). Word play, generally used for humorous effect (9). Metonymy, the meaning of two
or more words are essentially based on similarity.
5.

Syntax
Syntax is the subfield of linguistics which studies the structure and ordering of

sentence component. It is the study of how to put words together to form phrases and

sentences. In learning Syntax, we usually make three diagrams, it is a visual

explanation of syntactic structure within a sentence/phrase. There is also phrase
structure rules, the rules stated that the structure of a phrase of a specific type will
consist of one or more words in a particular order. In order to turn those structures into
recognizable words, we need lexical rules that specify which words can be used when

we write grammatical words. Another roles is called a movement rule, the process of
moving one part of the structure to another different position.
6.

Pragmatics
Pragmatics is one of linguistics branches studying the speakers meaning. This

study relates to the indirect meaning, so the understanding of the context is really
emphasized. In pragmatics, we also use the term of reference, the using of pronoun to
refer to something/people, Inference, the use of another things name to refer another
different thing, Anaphora, referring back, Presupposition, what a speaker/writer
assumes had already been known by the listener/reader. Then, Speech act is used to
describe some actions (requesting, commanding, questioning, inform, etc). The last term
is Politeness, considering of someones position in a conversation.
7.

Discourse Analysis
Discourse Analysis is one of linguistics branches which is typically concerned

with the study of language in texts and conversation. The term of discourse is usually
known as language beyond the sentence. In terms of Interpreting discourse, we deal with
some terms. First cohesion, the connections that exist in texts. Second, concept of
coherence, it is not what words or structures have, but that is what is in peoples mind.
So people are who make the sense of information they get. The next is speech events, the
variation way of what people say and do to communicate their meaning in different
situations.
Furthermore, in Learning discourse, we will face the theory proposed by Paul
Grice, the co-operative, which makes the conversation more effective based on the
information needed. The point in the theory is what is called Gricean maxims; the
quantity, quality, relation, and manner maxim. The action indicates that we are
concerning those maxims while being a participant in a conversation is called hedge. The
term of implicature is also really common in understanding the conversation, that is
when someone implies something in conversation. The key to understand the implicature
is the background knowledge of the conversational context.
8.

Neurolinguistics
Neurolinguistics is the subfield of linguistics which studies the relationship

between language and the brain. There are two specific area of language in the brain, the

first is called Brocas area. It is the part relating to the speech producing. The second is
Wernickes area which concerns with the speech comprehension. The damage on the
both areas effecting on a specific language impairment. Some people are also damaged
from another language disorder which is known as Aphasia, a damage of language
function which causes the difficulty in understanding or producing language. Many
researches have been done on the brain study, one of them is known as dichotic listening
test. It is one of experimental techniques which proved that the left hemisphere is more
dominance for syllable and word processing rather than right hemisphere. Further, by
understanding how language is processed in the brain, linguist differentiated some
particular sensitiveness of language learning known as the sensitive period for language
acquisition, it is generally well known as the term critical period.
9.

Anthropological linguistics
Anthropological linguistics is a subfield of linguistics which studies the

relationship between language and culture, in which the language knowledge take role
as a source of information in the study of culture. This study also concerns with the
interferences of human culture toward the process of language production and changing
or the influent of language toward culture.
10. Psycho Linguistic
Psycho Linguistic is the subfield of linguistics which studies how language is
processed in the mind. For first language acquisition, there are some acquisition
schedules on a child, they are: (1). Cooing, the beginning use of speech-like sounds, (2).
Babbling, the producing of many different vowel and consonant sounds, (3). The oneword stage, starting to produce many kinds of recognizable single-unit utterances, (4).
The two-word stage, the using of two different words in the same time, (5).Telegraphic,
the child can get the word order correct and other linguistics inputs such as morphology,
syntax, etc are begun. For second language acquisition, there are many factors effecting,
such as environment, teaching methods, child improvement, motivation, etc. Among all
of the factors, the most important aspect is learners motivation. There are two kinds of
motivation, internal and external motivation. Internal motivation comes when they need
to study the L2 because they like it. External factors is also important, means that they
want to learn the L2 to achieve some purposes, such as social and communication
purposes. Furthermore, input of language is really needed in this process. Children will

get their communicative competence through the process. The competences are in
grammatical, sociolinguistics, and strategic competence.
11. Sociolinguistics
Sociolinguistics is the branch of linguistics studying the relationship between
language and society and how language is used in society. Sociolinguistics may help us
to understand why people speak differently in various social contexts, and help to
understand the social relationships in a community. In understanding the society, people
may have sociolinguistics competence which is enables the hearers and the speakers in
understanding and distinguishing the social context. We know hat people also adjust the
way they talk to their social situation. Therefore, sociolinguists also studies the dialect,
accent, vocabulary and another linguistics features based on the region.
12. Applied Linguistics
Applied linguistics is a branch of linguistics which explores the relations
between theory and practice in language. It is used to identify problematic or
challenging issues involving language in many different contexts, then to find out
practical solutions that may be useful for the people in those contexts. For instance, we
will be able to find an ideal methods and techniques to teach the students in a more
effective and efficient way. The others advantages of learning applied linguistics are to
develope specialized knowledge of theory and practice in target areas of language
teaching, technology, and sociolinguistics/intercultural issues as well as to develop an
ability to apply our knowledge to professional and practical tasks in teaching and other
areas.
13. Language and Machine
In this global day, machine is used as the mean of communication and
information. Therefore, linguistics also covers the study in language and Machine.
Machine is used for translating and spreading the information.

C. Conclusion
Language is a complex structure, therefore linguistics has many branches of
study. Since Linguistics covers the knowledge of the language as well as the knowledge

beyond the language (meta-linguistics). Thus, it is important for students in English

Language Teaching Programme to study and have a deep understanding on all of the
subfields of linguistics.