Linguistics

STUB

Linguistics is the science of language and languages.

Subtypes or branches

• theoretical linguistics, applied linguistics
• general linguistics, descriptive linguistics
• historical linguistics
• psycholinguistics
• sociolinguistics
• documentary linguistics

Origin

The term arose in the first half of the 19th century, apparently under the influence of German (Linguistik) and/or French (linguistique). The OED's first attestation is from 1837 ("linguistic").

• "We may call the science of languages linguistic, as it is called by the best German writers." (Whewell 1837 I. p. cxiv) (cited after OED)

References

• Whewell, William. 1837. History of the inductive sciences, from the earliest to the present times.

other languages

German Linguistik, Sprachwissenschaft