Linguistics

Linguistics

What is Linguistics?
 

Linguistics is defined as the scientific study of language.
 

1) What is a language?             

 

when we say that linguistics deals with the study of language, it does not mean any particular language because Language, in general, is the ability of human beings to produce meaningful sounds with the help of vocal tract (lungs, vocal cords, tongue, lips etc.). There is no single definition of language. Different linguists have defined it in different ways. Sapir (1921) defines it as a purely human, non-instinctive method of communication through volumtarily produced symbols.

This definition indicates that only human beings are capable of using a language as their communication system. Although other animals do have their communication systems but they can not use language as their means of communication. Language is also non-instinctive as it is learned in a social setup. It is not something that human beings are born with. If a child is kept in complete solitude where there is no human communication via language then the child will not be able to use language unless s/he is exposed to it.