Linguistics:- Synchronic and Diachronic

After the 20th century when the study of language is regarded as a separate branch. The term Linguistic was coined. Modern linguistics is defined as a specific discipline and as a self-enclosed and autonomous system worthy of study in its own right.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Scientist of other disciplines studies the respective subjects' matter collect data, do various experiments, and propose theories. Likewise, a linguist does. He or She goes to various community meetings people asks about the history, historical changes, and variations they know regarding own their languages at the same time a linguist also goes through lots of historical texts for evidence or concrete proof. After collecting all this data he or she does some scientific experiments puts forward his theory and also classifies the language based on that experiment.

The scientific study reveals that language change with the passage of time and change is natural. for example-  some languages change can be linked to major political and social events Such as war, invasion, revolution, etc. These changes are natural, neither for good nor for bad but as per the suitability. Language change can be studied along two dimensions Diachrony (historical) and Synchrony (at a particular period).

Synchronic-  Synchronic linguistics is also known as descriptive linguistics. It is a study of language at a given point in time. However, this point of time can also be a specific point in the past. This branch of language attempts to study the function of language without reference to later or earlier stages. This field analyses and describes how language is actually used by a group of people in a speech community. This involves analyzing grammar, classification, and arrangements of features of the language.

Synchronic variations of English can be studied under three headings-

• Variation due to language contact:-  It often happens that a language comes in contact with another language. And this gives rise to the new varieties of language that continue to exist along with the original language. Some of the varieties of English are- Indian English, Pigeon language, Creole, and Esperanto.

• Varieties of Dialect:-  The variety of language according to the user is called dialect which is determined by a speaker's social and geographical background. Further dialection is also determined by social hierarchy and social class.

• Register:-  Some individual uses different varieties of language depending On the situation is called register.

Diachronic:- The diachronic approach tracks the historical development of language and records the changes that have taken place in between successive time points of time. Therefore diachronic is equivalent to historical. for example-  The way in which the French and Italian have evolved from Latin and Hindi from Sanskrit. It also investigates language changes.

          Some diachronic variations in language are:-

• The meaning of a word may be changed as a result of repeated use in a particular kind of context. Sometimes a change results from a word retaining its original form, but because its meaning changes because of the object it stood for has changed.  e.g.-  originally, the word "Pen" stood for feathers. Later feathers is used for writing so "Pen" acquired a new meaning.

•  An extension has taken place in a large number of English words e.g.-  "journey" means a day's walk or ride. Now, the Journey may be a week journey or half-yearly.

• The transition of a proper name to a common word may also result in changes e.g.-  the word "boycott" is derived from Captain Charles C Boycott.

•  Loss of sound /r/medially before consonants and finally (unless the next words begin with a vowel) took place.