1.4 Differences Between Schools and Branches

Schools refer to trends of thought, with their representative figures, works, unique ideas, methods, and influence on later development, often from a diachronic perspective. Branches refer to areas of study, with their classics, and influential figures, often from a synchronic perspective.

1.4.1 Branches of Linguistics

Distinction from within: phonetics, phonology, lexicology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

Distinction from outside language: psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, neurolinguistics, anthropological linguistics, cultural linguistics, computational linguistics, etc.

1.4.2 Schools of Linguistics

Traditional grammar (600 BC-18th century);

Historical linguistics (19th century to early 20th century);

Beginning of modern linguistics (early 20th century);

European functionalism (1920-1950);

The London School (1940-1950);

Halliday's systemic-functional grammar (1960-today);

American structuralism (1930-1950);

Chomsky's generative grammar (1957-today);

Cognitive linguistics (today).