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27 May 2017 || ig || May Study Challenge

Day 27: What subject is the easiest for you? 

I’m majoring in English literature and linguistics, and the linguistics part is definitely my favourite. Today’s prompt gave me the chance to compile this masterpost on linguistics - I hope you enjoy it! :) 

1. What’s linguistics?  Linguistics is the study of a language itself, i.e. its grammar, structure, syntax, acquisition etc. It’s about finding patterns within a language, analysing its development and acquisition, and comparing different languages. 

2. What do linguists study?  There are different levels of language you can study, the main ones being phonetics (sounds/physical), phonology (sounds/cognitive), morphology (words), syntax (sentences), semantics (meaning), and pragmatics (usage). An intro to linguistics class will cover the basic aspects of all of those (maybe focussing on the first four though). 

There are many more specific fields of linguistics that overlap with other disciplines, for example: 

historical linguistics

mathematical linguistics

computational linguistics

sociolinguistics

psycholinguistics

dialectology

and more!

3. How many languages do I need to speak?  You should speak the language you want to study in very well (aka on an academic level so you can follow the lessons at university). It’s completely possible to study linguistics in your second language (as I am with English) or any other one if you’re good at it. There’s no need to speak several languages. It might help you in the sense that you’re already familiar with grammar systems and terminology, though (Latin helped me the most here, but it’s not a prerequisite!). Many linguists speak or learn several languages because they have an interest in them, not because they’re forced to do so by their discipline. I, for example, voluntarily want to learn more languages the more I learn about their linguistic specialties because it makes me curious and fascinates me. :) 

side note: Learning about linguistics might make it much easier for you to learn languages! It makes you see parallels especially within one language family, IPA helps with pronunciation, and you’ll know what to look for in a grammar book. Self-teaching languages has become a lot easier for me ever since I started linguistics. 

4. What can I do with a linguistics degree?  There are many different options! Many go into teaching (either in schools or at university) - however, careers as a translator, an interpreter, an editor, in journalism, writing, and even law are possible, depending on other subjects you’re taking, the level of your degree (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate), and any specialisations you might have. I myself want to become a university professor in this field! :)  More info: 1 2 3

5. Examples?  Some key people (obv not all of them): 

Noam Chomsky

Edward Sapir

Roman Jakobson

John Searle

Ferdinand de Saussure (you can’t escape him)

Wilhelm von Humboldt

Some Concepts and Theories: 

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Speech Act Theory (Austin)

Saussure’s Signs (Semiotics)

Descriptivism vs. Prescriptivism

Prototype Theory

6. Resources!

Introduction to Linguistics

another Introduction to Linguistics

Why Major in Linguistics? 

Linguistic Society of America

this tumblr blog

 @allthingslinguistic is amazing!

podcast recs by @superlinguo

international phonetic alphabet (IPA)

Intro to Branches of Linguistics

I hope this was somewhat helpful! If you have any more questions about what it’s like to study linguistics or something like that, feel free to send me an ask :) 

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new(ish) studyblr

hey, i’m anarien! i discovered studyblr a few weeks ago and have been posting sporadically, but since tomorrow’s the start of my new semester, i thought i’d make it official. i do really well in school but have a hard time staying motivated, and i’m an expert procrastinator. :P

>> studying physics, french, trig, history

>> my favorite supplies are staedtler triplus fineliners, prismacolor colored pencils, pentel energel pens and my leuchtturm1917 bullet journal. just got some mildliners but haven’t had the chance to try them out. :)

>> i post occasional ghibli gifs

>> main blog (i follow back as this): anarialaurelin

>> lots of sideblogs: doctor who (tardis-ten), sherlock (its-a-death-frisbee), marvel (asgardians-asslmbled)

>> inspired by @elkstudies, @sherlockstudies, @lets-talk-about-studying, @studyign

wish me luck!

#text

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13.02.2016

I actually didn’t notice my alarm going off so I woke up super late and missed two potentially productive hours :(( but I still managed to get a nice&bright spot at my fav library thanks to my lovely friends✨✨

four days until my finals. almost done!!!! (in the picture: my statistics study guide, ipad&notes, lovely matching pens and lemon water which is super good and refreshing!!!)

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22/02/2016 • Ancient Greek final tomorrow

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If you want to make something happen, you have dedicate yourself each day for it.

attackonstudying (via attackonstudying)

#mo

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I wish my room was big enough for a study table.

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Quick morning editing before enjoying our last full day in sunny LA ☀️ #rhymes 😝 #TheDreamcatcher

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13.02.16 · All ready for the new semester ✍🏼📖💕

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Mini Taobao Stationery Haul

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#mo

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everybody thinks reading is such a romantic activity…ah but we lit students know…

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This week in pictures. It’s been sunnier, productive and busy 😊

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My campus makes me want to study and do homework

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Monday mayhem.

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doing some dissertation work! loving my new bullet journal lay out. my new muji pens are great!