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1 Linguistics Fun Facts

The document discusses linguistics, defining language as a system of sounds and symbols used for communication. It highlights common misconceptions about linguists, outlines various subfields within linguistics, and emphasizes the importance of studying language. Additionally, it explores the future of linguistics in the context of modern communication methods like texting and their impact on language use.

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Gwennlyn Archedera
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13 views15 pages

1 Linguistics Fun Facts

The document discusses linguistics, defining language as a system of sounds and symbols used for communication. It highlights common misconceptions about linguists, outlines various subfields within linguistics, and emphasizes the importance of studying language. Additionally, it explores the future of linguistics in the context of modern communication methods like texting and their impact on language use.

Uploaded by

Gwennlyn Archedera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Linguistics

The Study of Language


By Lorelei Logsdon

Image from politicalhumor.about.com


What is “Language”?
 a language is made
up of sounds
and/or symbols
with agreed-upon
meanings and is
used as a means of
communication
(both verbal and
non-verbal)
amongst a group of Photo from www.inmagine.com

people.
Language Fun Fact
 Did you know the reason we’re taught not
to end sentences with prepositions is
because an 18th-century English
clergyman published a grammar book in
which he arbitrarily decided to base
English grammar rules on Latin?

Well, I’ll be!


Common Misconceptions
 “A linguist is
Image from newscientist.com

someone who just


knows lots of
languages.”
Image from joehageonline.com

 “A linguist is
someone who just
knows lots of big
words.”
So then which of these
does a linguist do?

• Studies lots of different languages

• Studies how children learn language

• Studies conversations

• Studies speech sounds

• Studies language structure

• YES, all of the above, and much more!


Language Fun Fact
 Did you know that
sandwiches got their name
from the fourth Earl of
Sandwich, who wrapped
bread around the meat so
it wouldn’t drip grease on
his playing cards? Image from dvo.com
The field of Linguistics
has many subfields
 Anthropological linguistics  Neurolinguistics
 Applied linguistics  Philosophy of Language
 Cognitive science  Phonetics
 Computational linguistics  Pragmatics
 Corpus linguistics  Psycholinguistics
 Discourse Analysis  Semantics
 Ecolinguistics  Semiotics
 Forensic Linguistics  Sociolinguistics
 Historical linguistics  Syntax
 Lexicography  Typology
 Linguistics and Literature  Writing Systems
 Morphology  Xenolinguistics
The study of languages
originating from alien species!
Why study Linguistics?
Because language is fascinating!
Language Fun Fact
 The same /k/ sound is
produced in a different
place in the mouth
depending on what
sounds will be coming
after it (“eep" vs. “ool")
Image from www.solec.org

Even our tongues are ------


lazy!
efficient!
Direct or Indirect?
Gender Differences in Language

 Why do men say,


"Open the
window," but
women say, "Boy,
it sure would be
nice if we could get
a breeze in here"? Image from ac-nancy-metz.fr
Jobs Available to Linguists
Some examples…
 Teaching English as a second
language (TESL)
 Research jobs with companies such
as Microsoft, Apple or IBM
 Government jobs with the FBI or
CIA
 Teaching at a community college or
university
 Field work documenting language
in a foreign country
 Or use your linguistic skills in the
fields of anthropology, law, library
science, psychology, or sociology.
Language Fun Fact

 Did you know that "nice" used to mean


"ignorant" thousands of years ago?

 Meanings assigned to words in any


language are completely arbitrary. We've
all simply agreed upon the meanings we
give to words.
Future of Linguistics
 What will texting do to our ability to write?
“OMG! I'm omw, will u b there 2? TTFN!”

Artist unknown

 Email, texting and instant messaging are


replacing older forms of communication.
What will the consequences be?
Future of Linguistics

 How can we help


bridge the cultural gap
between employees
working together from
different parts of the
world?
Image from www.copansystems.com
Want More?
 Linguistic Society of America http://
www.lsadc.org/

 Do you speak American? http://


www.pbs.org/speak/

 Language Links http://


linguistlist.org/sp/LangAnalysis.html

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