Here's a breakdown of the key aspects of "pure linguistics":
Focus:
* Internal structure of language: It investigates the sounds, grammar, and meaning systems of a language, without considering its social or cultural significance.
* Theoretical frameworks: It often relies on formal models and theories to analyze linguistic data, aiming to develop general principles about the nature of language.
* Language universals: It seeks to identify common features shared by all human languages, suggesting an underlying universal grammar.
Examples of topics in pure linguistics:
* Phonetics: The study of speech sounds and their production.
* Phonology: The study of sound systems and how they are organized in a language.
* Morphology: The study of word formation and structure.
* Syntax: The study of sentence structure and grammar.
* Semantics: The study of meaning in language.
* Pragmatics: The study of language use in context.
Criticisms of "pure linguistics":
* Overly abstract and theoretical: Some argue that the focus on internal structure neglects the essential role of social context in language use and development.
* Limited practical applications: This approach is often seen as having limited relevance to real-world problems like language teaching or communication disorders.
Conclusion:
"Pure linguistics" is a branch of linguistics that primarily focuses on the internal structure of language and the development of theoretical models. While it offers valuable insights into the nature of language, it is not without its critics who argue for a more holistic approach that incorporates social and cultural contexts.