One of the most remarkable aspects of the human mind is the ability to acquire and use the rich and complex system of knowledge that is language. At an age when tying one's shoelaces still presents a major challenge, virtually all children are already quite competent in the language of their environment. These observations have led to two of the primary questions confronting linguists: "What is it that humans know when they know a language?" and "How do humans acquire that knowledge?" As we begin to answer these and related questions, we find fascinating insights into the nature of human cognition.

Two central areas within linguistic study are theoretical linguistics and historical linguistics. There is also a tremendous variety of interdisciplinary work between linguistics and other fields.

Theoretical Linguistics

Theoretical linguists seek to describe and explain the complexities of the human linguistic system. They have determined that, in spite of the many superficial differences across languages, all human languages have the same fundamental structure and, at the deepest levels, work in the same way. Typically, the field is broken down into three sub-fields: syntax (sentence structure); phonology (sound structure); and morphology (word structure).

Historical Linguistics

Historical linguists examine the ways in which languages change over time and also how languages are related to one another. This often involves looking at many different types of historical records, from rock inscriptions such as the Karkemish inscription above to birch-bark manuscripts. Using a variety of methods, historical linguists are also able to reconstruct what languages were like in earlier historical periods.

Interdisciplinary Areas

Neurolinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Biolinguistics, Anthropological Linguistics, Psycholinguistics