Course Name: Linguistics and Phonetics 1

Instructor Name: Dr. Lydia Idir

Lecture 1: Initiation into Linguistics

1. Introduction

Linguistics is a relatively unknown scientific discipline, prompting many to inquire about its

nature. The simplest definition of linguistics is that it is “the scientific study of language.”

Despite its apparent simplicity, this definition encompasses a number of significant terms that

need further clarification. Initially, the term “science” does not necessarily imply the use of

laboratory equipment or protective eyewear in the pursuit of linguistic knowledge. Instead, it

indicates that the methodology used to investigate language takes a scientific approach.

2. What is Linguistics?

The term “linguistics” has its etymological roots in the Latin word “lingua,” which means

“tongue” or “language,” and the suffix “-istics,” which denotes “knowledge and science.” The

term was first used in the late 19th century, reflecting a growing interest in the systematic and

scientific analysis of language. This etymology emphasizes the interconnection between language

and its physical manifestation (the tongue), as well as the intellectual pursuit of understanding its

knowledge.

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 This latter emphasizes two key aspects of language, as represented by the etymology of

“linguistics.”

a) Physical Manifestation

The term “lingua” refers to the “tongue,” which is a fundamental component in the

production of spoken language. This highlights the physical and biological aspects of language as

a form of communication that relies on human anatomy.

b) Intellectual Pursuit

The suffix “-istics” implies a systematic study. This emphasizes the academic and analytical

approach to understanding the complexities of language, including its structure, use, and social

implications.

Note: Linguistics is the study of human languages as a whole, rather than just one language.

Linguistics can be defined as the scientific study of any human language. It is based on a

systematic investigation of a body of data known as “human speech” within the context of

general language structure theory. In other words, it is regarded as a science in the sense that it

investigates the rules, systems, and principles of human language.

According to Lyons (1981:16) “Linguistics is commonly defined as a science of language.

The word „science‟ is crucial here. we may say that the scientific description is one that is

carried out systematically on the basis of objectively verifiable observations and within the

framework of some general theory appropriate to the data.”

Similarly, Robins (1985) asserts that linguistics is concerned with human language as a

universal and recognizable part of human behavior and of the human faculties, perhaps one of the

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most essential to human life as we know it, and one of the most far-reaching of human

capabilities in relation to the entire span of mankind's achievements.

So, linguistics is the scientific study of language, including its structure, use, and the

cognitive and social factors involved in communication. It examines how languages are formed,

how they function, and how they evolve over time.

Note: A linguist is a person who studies language in all its aspects.

3. The Purpose of Linguistics

The primary goal of linguistics is to understand the nature of language and its components.

This includes:

 Examining the unconscious knowledge that humans have about language.

 How humans acquire language.

 Documenting and analyzing the structure, rules, and patterns of languages, including

sounds, words, and sentences.

 Exploring how language is used in social contexts and how it varies across different

cultures and communities.

 How language influences the way in which humans interact with each other and think

about the world?

 What features are common to all human languages?

 How are the modes of linguistic communication (speech, writing, sign language) related

to each other?

 Analyzing how languages evolve over time and the factors that drive linguistic change.

 What distinguishes human language from other animal communication systems?

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So, linguistics tries to:

 Observe languages and to describe them accurately,

 Then, find generalizations within what has been described,

 Finally, draw conclusions about the general nature of human language.

4. The Scientific Characteristics of a Linguistic Approach (Scientificity of

Linguistics)

The term science is a key concept in the field of linguistics that needs to be defined before we

can discuss its significance in this course. The concept science implies: “The systematic study

of humans and their environment based on the deductions and inferences which can be

made, and the general laws which can be formulated, from reproducible observations and

measurements of events and parameters within the universe” (Commonwealth, 2010).

The scientificity of linguistics is based on the following criteria:

a) Exhaustiveness. Exhaustiveness in linguistics refers to a thorough examination of all

aspects (every feature and phenomenon) of language. Linguistics strives for

exhaustiveness in order to create a complete understanding of language in all its forms

and functions, ensuring that no important aspect is overlooked.

b) Consistency (Exactness). Any linguistic theory should be correct in every detail, and

valid in terms of time and place, in addition to the data collected by the researchers (no

contradictions).

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c) Economy. It refers to the principle that language tends to be efficient and concise,

minimizing unnecessary complexity.

d) Objectivity. Objectivity implies that the linguist‟s judgment and research should be based

on observable phenomena and unaffected by emotions or personal prejudices (neutral).

For a linguist, there is no primitive, pure, beautiful, cultural, and sophisticated language.

In other words, objectivity is a fundamental aspect of scientificity. The questions they ask,

the conclusions they reach, and the evidence they present must be open to public scrutiny

and testing. The usual word used to summarize this point is empirical. An empirical test is

one in which phenomena are examined under controlled, experimental conditions, with

the results available for direct observation and judgment, so that if the experiment were

repeated, the same results and popular judgments would be obtained.

e) Empiricism. Empiricism can be explained by the fact that any linguistic research should

be based on experimentation and observation, i.e., the belief that all concepts originate in

experience, that all concepts are about or apply to things that can be experienced, or that

all rationally acceptable beliefs or propositions are justifiable or knowable only through

experience.

Simply put, empiricism in linguistics means that knowledge about language

should come from observation and experience rather than just theories or assumptions.

Researchers collect data through experiments, surveys, or real-world examples to

understand how language works. This approach ensures that findings are grounded in

actual evidence.