What is linguistics

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Abstract

The chapter also presents a short history of linguistics to serve as cohesive background to the material presented by other contributors to the Routledge Handbook of Linguistics. This history focuses on the western classical tradition that forms the basis for present day linguistics, but also notes the existence and current relevance of other traditions. It includes assessment of the beliefs of those who have practised linguistic analysis and been enthused by the scholarly investigation of language and languages from ancient times through to today.