1. What is Micro-Linguistics?
How does it examine
language in social context with reference to internal
structure?
What is Micro-Linguistics?
Micro-linguistics studies the structure of language from
inside—how it is made, how words are formed, how
sentences are built, and how meanings are formed.
It does not study culture or society. It focuses on the
"language system" itself.
Main Areas
Phonetics – Study of speech sounds (e.g., /p/ and /b/)
Phonology – How sounds work in a language
Morphology – How words are formed (e.g., “un” +
“happy” = “unhappy”)
Syntax – Sentence rules (e.g., Subject + Verb + Object)
Semantics – Literal meaning of words and sentences
What is Internal Structure?
It means the rules and parts inside the language, like:
Phonemes (smallest sound units)
Morphemes (smallest meaning units)
Grammar rules (how we form correct sentences)
Does it Study Language in Social Context?
Normally, no. Micro-linguistics does not focus on society or
culture. But in modern linguistics, some studies combine
both (e.g., how dialects affect grammar).
Conclusion
Micro-linguistics gives us a clear view of how language
works from the inside. It helps in learning grammar,
sentence structure, and word formation.
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2. Define Linguistics as the Study of Language. How
does it fulfill the criteria of a scientific study?
What is Linguistics?
Linguistics is the scientific study of language—how it is
structured, how it works, and how it changes.
Why is it a Science?
It uses scientific methods:
1. Observation – How people speak or write
2. Data Collection – Real language from books,
conversations, media
3. Analysis – Studying rules of grammar, sentence
structure
4. Hypothesis – Making guesses about how language
works
5. Testing – Checking those guesses in different
languages
Scientific Features
Empirical – Based on facts and real data
Objective – No personal opinions
Systematic – Follows clear methods
Predictive – Can explain future language change or
errors
Conclusion
Linguistics is not just about learning grammar. It is a
proper science that helps us understand language in a
deep, logical, and organized way.
3. Differentiate Micro and Macro Linguistics with
regard to Linguistic Data
Micro-Linguistics
Micro-linguistics is the study of the internal structure of
language. It focuses on how language is formed and
functions at the level of sounds, words, and sentences.
In micro-linguistics, the data comes from:
● Speech sounds (phone)
● Word formation (morphemes)
● Sentence patterns (syntax)
● Literal meanings (semantics)
The aim is to study these elements without considering
external influences like society or culture. For example, a
micro-linguist may analyze how the past tense is formed in
English (e.g., walk → walked) using rule-based structures.
Macro-Linguistics
Macro-linguistics studies language in use, including
how people speak in real life, how society influences
language, and how language varies across regions and
groups.
The data in macro-linguistics includes:
● Social speech patterns
● Regional dialects and accents
● Cultural influences on language
● Language learning and brain processing
For example, a macro-linguist might study how people in
different cities use different words for the same object, or
how language reflects gender roles in society.
Conclusion
Micro-linguistics studies what language is made of, while
macro-linguistics studies how language is used in
real-world settings. Both provide different types of data
that help us understand language more completely.
Q4: Linguistics as Study of Language – Distinguish
Between Phonology and Phonetics
Phonetics
Phonetics is the study of how speech sounds are
produced, transmitted, and heard. It deals with the
physical side of sounds, like the movement of the tongue,
lips, and vocal cords.
Phonetics answers questions like:
● How do we pronounce the sound /t/?
● What is the difference in airflow between /p/ and /b/?
● How do we hear and recognize sounds?
● There are three main branches of phonetics:
1. Articulatory phonetics – How sounds are made
2. Acoustic phonetics – The physical properties of
sounds
3. Auditory phonetics – How sounds are heard
Phonology
Phonology is the study of how sounds work in a particular
language system. It focuses on the rules and patterns that
sounds follow to make meaning.
Phonology answers questions like:
● Why is /k/ in "cat" and "kite" considered the same
sound in English?
● What makes two words like “bat” and “pat” different in
meaning?
● How do certain sound changes affect meaning?
Phonology studies phonemes (meaningful sound units)
and how these phonemes interact and change based on
their position in a word or sentence.
Conclusion
Phonetics is about the physical production and hearing of
sounds, and it applies to all human languages. Phonology
is about the sound system within a specific language,
focusing on how sounds function to create meaning. Both
are essential for understanding how spoken language
works.
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5. How Semantics Deals with Meaning Construction in
Linguistic Context
What is Semantics?
Semantics is the study of meaning in language—what
words, phrases, and sentences mean.
How It Works
Lexical Semantics – Meaning of individual words
Sentence Semantics – Meaning of full sentences
Denotation – Dictionary meaning
Connotation – Emotional or cultural meaning
Example
Word: Home
Denotation: A place where you live
Connotation: Love, safety, comfort
How Meaning is Built
Word Choice – Words carry specific meaning
Word Order – Grammar changes meaning
Sentence Context – Helps avoid ambiguity
Semantics vs Pragmatics
Semantics = What is said
Pragmatics = What is meant in context
> E.g., "Can you pass the salt?" is semantically a question
but pragmatically a polite request.
Conclusion
Semantics helps us understand and explain meanings
clearly and logically. It is key for reading comprehension,
communication, and precise writing.
