When the concept of theoretical linguistics is taken to refer to core or internal linguistics, it means the study of the parts of the language system. This traditionally means phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Pragmatics and discourse can also be included; delimitation varies between institutions. Furthermore, Saussure's definition of general linguistics consists of the dichotomy of synchronic and diachronic linguistics, thus including historical linguistics as a core issue.9
See also: Theory of language
There are various frameworks of linguistic theory which include a general theory of language and a general theory of linguistic description.10 Current humanistic approaches include theories within structural linguistics and functional linguistics. In addition to the humanistic approaches of structural linguistics and functional linguistics, the field of theoretical linguistics encompasses other frameworks and perspectives. Evolutionary linguistics is one such framework that investigates the origins and development of language from an evolutionary and cognitive perspective. It incorporates various models within generative grammar, which seeks to explain language structure through formal rules and transformations. Cognitive linguistics and cognitive approaches to grammar, on the other hand, focuses on the relationship between language and cognition, exploring how language reflects and influences our thought processes.11
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Graffi, Giorgio (2009). "20th century linguistics: overview of trends". Concise Encyclopedia of Philosophy of Language and Linguistics. Elsevier. pp. 780–794. ISBN 9780080965017. 9780080965017 ↩
Harris, Tony (2001). "Linguistics in applied linguistics: a historical overview". Journal of English Studies. 3 (2): 99–114. doi:10.18172/jes.72. Retrieved 2020-08-03. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/28064313 ↩
de Saussure, Ferdinand (1959) [First published 1916]. Course in General Linguistics (PDF). New York: Philosophy Library. ISBN 9780231157278. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-08-08. Retrieved 2020-08-03. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) 9780231157278 ↩
"General linguistics". University of Helsinki. 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-03. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-arts/research/disciplines/languages/general-linguistics ↩
Linguistic Theory ScienceDirect. Retrieved 19 May 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/linguistic-theory ↩