synchronic linguistics

synchronic linguistics
n.
the branch of linguistics that analyzes the structure of a language or languages as static, at a given point in their history

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      the study of a language at a given point in time. The time studied may be either the present or a particular point in the past; synchronic analyses can also be made of dead languages, such as Latin. Synchronic linguistics is contrasted with diachronic linguistics (or historical linguistics; q.v.), the study of a language over a period of time. In the 20th century, synchronic description has come to be regarded as prior to diachronic description; the latter presupposes that synchronic descriptions at various stages of the development of a language have already been carried out. Previously, linguists had placed emphasis on diachronic linguistics. The terminological distinction between synchronic and diachronic linguistics was first made by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913).

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • synchronic linguistics — n. the branch of linguistics that analyzes the structure of a language or languages as static, at a given point in their history …   English World dictionary

  • synchronic linguistics. — See descriptive linguistics. * * * …   Universalium

  • synchronic linguistics — noun the study of a language without reference to its historical context • Hypernyms: ↑linguistics …   Useful english dictionary

  • synchronic linguistics. — See descriptive linguistics …   Useful english dictionary

  • synchronic linguistics — one who studies the language of a specific period of time at great depth …   English contemporary dictionary

  • linguistics — /ling gwis tiks/, n. (used with a sing. v.) the science of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and historical linguistics. [1850 55; see LINGUISTIC, ICS] * * * Study of the nature and structure of… …   Universalium

  • synchronic — adjective Date: 1833 1. synchronous 2. a. descriptive 4 < synchronic linguistics > b. concerned with events existing in a limited time period and ignoring historical antecedents • synchronical adjective • synchronically adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • synchronic — syn•chron•ic [[t]sɪnˈkrɒn ɪk, sɪŋ [/t]] adj. ling. of or pertaining to the study of a language as it exists at one point in time without reference to its history: synchronic linguistics Compare diachronic • Etymology: 1825–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • synchronic — /sɪŋˈkrɒnɪk/ (say sing kronik) adjective 1. synchronous. 2. studying phenomena at a given time or stage without reference to historical data. 3. descriptive or classificatory: synchronic linguistics. Compare diachronic. {Late Latin synchronus +… …  

  • Linguistics — is the scientific study of language, encompassing a number of sub fields. An important topical division is between the study of language structure (grammar) and the study of meaning (semantics). Grammar encompasses morphology (the formation and… …   Wikipedia

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