Theoretical linguistics (including traditional descriptive linguistics) is concerned with understanding the fundamental nature of language and developing a general theoretical framework for describing it. Linguistics encompasses many branches and subfields that span both theoretical and practical applications. Subdisciplines such as biolinguistics (the study of the biological variables and evolution of language) and psycholinguistics (the study of psychological factors in human language) bridge many of these divisions. Traditional areas of linguistic analysis correspond to phenomena found in human linguistic systems, such as syntax (rules governing the structure of sentences) semantics (meaning) morphology (structure of words) phonetics (speech sounds and equivalent gestures in sign languages) phonology (the abstract sound system of a particular language) and pragmatics (how social context contributes to meaning). It is considered a scientific field as well as an academic discipline it has been classified as a social science, natural science, cognitive science, or part of the humanities. Linguistics is concerned with both the cognitive and social aspects of language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Linguistics is the scientific study of human language.

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