What are the four types of linguistics?

Four Main Types of Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, and it encompasses several major branches. The four primary types (or branches) of linguistics are:

Phonetics and Phonology
- Phonetics studies the physical sounds of human speech—how they are produced, transmitted, and received.
- Phonology examines the abstract, systematic organization of sounds in languages.
Morphology
- This branch focuses on the structure and formation of words, analyzing how morphemes (the smallest meaningful units) combine to create words.
Syntax
- Syntax is the study of sentence structure and the rules that govern the arrangement of words and phrases within sentences.
Semantics and Pragmatics
- Semantics is concerned with meaning in language—how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning.
- Pragmatics explores how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication.

Together, these core areas form the foundation of linguistic study, addressing the sounds, structure, meaning, and usage of language.