Here's why:
* Synchronic linguistics focuses on how language works at a specific point in time. It examines the structure of language, including its grammar, syntax, semantics, and phonology, as they exist at that moment.
* Diachronic linguistics, on the other hand, examines how language changes over time. It traces the evolution of language features, sound changes, and the development of new words and grammatical structures.
Examples:
* Synchronic studies: Analyzing the grammar of modern English, studying the different dialects of Spanish spoken today, or exploring the semantics of a particular word in contemporary usage.
* Diachronic studies: Tracing the historical development of the English language, investigating the origin and evolution of Indo-European languages, or analyzing the process of language change in a specific community over time.
It's important to note that:
* Many linguists engage in both synchronic and diachronic studies. Understanding how language changes can provide insights into the structure of language at any given time, and vice versa.
* The focus on either synchronic or diachronic linguistics is often dependent on the specific research question being addressed.
Therefore, it's inaccurate to label modern linguistics as solely synchronic or diachronic. It encompasses both perspectives and uses them to understand language in its entirety, both how it works at a specific time and how it has evolved throughout history.