15/12/2020
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👉The key difference between linguistics and literature is that linguistics refers to the systematic study of a language whereas literature can be defined as the study of written works within a language.
👉This clearly highlights that the main difference between these two fields of study are grounded on structure and content though both have the commonality of language as a basis for their works.
👉This article will attempt to define these two terms, linguistics and literature, while providing an understanding of the differences that exist within the two fields.
⭕What is Linguistics?
👉The human languages which enable us to communicate with one another have very systematic structures.
👉Linguistics is a field that studies these structural aspects of a language.
👉Hence, it can be defined as the systematic and scientific study of a language.
👉It encompasses the study of language in relation to its nature, organization, origin, contextual impact, cognitive and dialectical formation.
👉Linguists are concerned with the nature of languages, their systematic component, the commonalities and differences that exist among human languages and the cognitive processes that come into play.
👉The field of linguistics is made up of a number of parts that create the totality of linguistics.
👉They are:
🔴Phonetics (the study of the physical nature of speech sounds)
🔴Phonology (the study of the cognitive nature of speech sounds)
🔴Morphology (the study of word formation)
🔴Syntax (the study of sentence formation)
🔴Semantics (the study of meaning)
🔴Pragmatics (the study of the usage of language).
👉Other than these there are other disciplines that are connected to linguistics such as
🔴Psycholinguistics.
🔴Sociolinguistics.
🔴Dialectology.
🔴Ethno-linguistics, etc.
⭕What is literature?
👉Literature includes written works that belong to many genres ranging from poetry and dramas to novels. Literature is a work of art.
👉It is a creation of a world that allows the reader to not only dive into an alien world, but also allows the reader to reflect on various issues.
👉It is not merely a recital of the ordinary speech but contains artistic value.
👉There are different forms of literature mainly prose and poetry.
👉Prose includes dramas, novels and short stories whereas poetry refers to a more melodious and rhythmic work of art.
👉Unlike in linguistics, literature is devoid of rigidity in the structure and its relationships.
👉It is not limited to a certain sphere and has a vast canvas.
👉If we look at the English literature, the literary works are divided into different eras also known as literary periods in English literature for the purpose of studying, such as:
🔴The renaissance.
🔴The romantic period.
🔴The Victorian period so on and so forth.
👉For each period there are contemporary writers, poets and playwrights that were prominent figures of the time in terms of their literary work.
🔴For example,
👉in the Victorian period:
🔴Alfred Lord Tennyson.
🔴The Bronte sisters.
🔴Robert Browning
and
🔴Thomas Hardy were prominent figures who gained popularity either among the societies at the time or else later in for the significance of their contribution to literature.
