Ancient Script to Modern Ink: A Resource Guide for Linguistic Anthropology

Linguistic anthropology may be thought of as the study of how social life is influenced by everyday language. A branch of anthropology, linguistics initially grew out of the ambition to document languages that were considered endangered. However, over the last century, this study has gone on to include nearly all aspects of the structure and usage of language. This branch of anthropology is concerned with a few goals; It is interested in how communication is shaped by language, how language shapes social identity, how language orders cultural beliefs, and how a cultural representation of social and natural words is developed by language. The following is a resource for specific fields and interesting topics in linguistics.

Sociolinguistics

• Information Page on Sociolinguistics: A web page dedicated to explaining the concept behind sociolinguistics.
• Overview of Sociolinguistics: A web page that succinctly goes over the key points of sociolinguistics.
• Key Points of Sociolinguistics: A web page that summarizes the key components of sociolinguistics.
  
• Definition of Sociolinguistics: A definition of sociolinguistics that covers all the major points.
• The Fundamentals of Sociolinguistics: PBS web page that delves into the particulars behind this study.
• Introduction to Sociolinguistics: A brief explanation of the study for those new to it.

Historical Linguistics

• Definition of Historical Linguistics: Web page that establishes the definition of historical linguistics.
• Historical Linguistics in Writing System: Website that integrates the concept of historical linguistics with ancient writing systems.
• Divisions of Historical Linguistics: Explanation of how historical linguistics can be divided further into sub-disciplines.
• Historical Linguistics Introduction: Web page that introduces visitors to the concept of this study.
• Historical Linguistics Clarified: A clarification of what historical linguistics involves.
• On Diachronic Linguistics, Variation, and English Phonology: An article about the diachronic linguistics, another name for historical linguistics, of the English language.
• Comparative Linguistics: The methodology and history behind this sub-field of historical linguistics.

Phonology

• Definition of Phonology: Website providing the basic definition of phonology and lessons on the subject.
• Explanation of Phonology: A write-up that explains the fundamentals of phonology.
• Phonology Introduction: Web page that introduces readers to the subject of phonology.
• Phonemes and Phonology: Web page that talks about phonemes, the smallest segment or unit of sound.
• Phonology Video: Video clip that relates to a lesson on phonology.
• Phonology of Middle English: Website that explores the phonology of Middle English before the "Great Vowel Shift" that led to the sounds of modern English.
• Segmental Phonology Website: Website that instructs visitors on the principles of segmental phonology with a consonant table, vowel table, and language and sound index.

Syntax

• An Explanation of Syntax: A web page that offers the reader an explanation of the concept of syntax.
• Syntax and Sentence Structure: A lesson on syntax and the English sentence structure.
• Syntax and Language: A discussion of the role of syntax in language.
• Syntax from Shakespeare’s Viewpoint: A web page that explains the role of syntax in sentence structure.
• The Syntax of Natural Language: An online textbook which gives specific details about the syntax of the English language.

Semantics and Semiotics

• The Basics of Semantics: Web page that talks about semantics and its principles.
• The Meaning of Semantics: A quick walkthrough on what semantics entails.
• Semantics Explained: Web page that uses diagrams to explain what semantics is about.
• Terminology in Semiotics: A web page that shows visitors the different terms used in semiotics.
• Semiotics Defined: A web page that briefly explains semiotics and provides further links on the subject.
• General Overview of Semiotics: A web page that explains semiotics in a general way.

Applied Linguistics (Field Linguistics)

• Definition of Applied Linguistics: The International Association for Applied Linguistics gives a short definition of what this linguistics field is all about.
• Applied Linguistics Explained: A brief explanation of what applied linguistics professionals do.
• Applied Linguistics: From the Past to Today: An article that traces applied linguistics from the past to the present.
• The Truth about Applied Linguistics: An article that goes into the details of what’s involved with applied linguistics.
• Applied Linguistics Clarified: A write-up that explains to individuals what applied linguistics covers.

Famous Linguists

• Jean Francois Champollion: Web page examining the contributions of this linguist.
• Noam Chomsky: Biography of this left-winger and anti-war linguist.
• Chomsky's Revolution in Linguistics: An article about Noam Chomsky's contributions to the field of linguistics.
• Leonard Bloomfield: Biography of this linguist who led the onset of structural linguistics.
• Ferdinand de Saussure: Web page featuring lectures of this Swiss linguist.
• Edward Sapir: Biography of this linguist who specialized in American structural linguistics.

Careers in Linguistic Anthropology

• Why Major in Linguistics?: The Linguistic Society of America's guide to help an individual decide if a major in linguistics is right for them and what types of jobs one can apply for after graduating.
• Linguistic Anthropology Career Information: Information on what students should study to be linguistic anthropologists.
• Employment: Information on where employment in linguistic anthropology can be found.
• Job Information: Web page that collects information on what is required to be a linguistic anthropologist.
• Job Description: Website of Bureau of Labor Statistics goes into the nature of the work of anthropologists including linguistic ones.