Question

Synchronic linguistics studies language:

• A. Across time
• B. At a specific moment in time
• C. In social contexts
• D. In written form

Answer 1

Answer:

B. At a specific moment in time

Synchronic linguistics is the study of a language at a specific point in time, such as the present. It's also known as descriptive linguistics or general linguistics. 

What it studies

• Structure and usage

  Synchronic linguistics analyzes how a language's grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation work together. 

• Rules

  Synchronic linguistics describes the rules of a language at a specific time, even if they were different in the past. 

How it's different from diachronic linguistics

• Time

  Synchronic linguistics studies a language at a specific point in time, while diachronic linguistics studies a language over time. 

• Perspective

  Synchronic linguistics looks at a language as static, while diachronic linguistics looks at how a language changes over time. 

Who introduced the term? 

• Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913) first distinguished between synchronic and diachronic linguistics.

Example 

• Examining modern Greek as it is spoken today without considering its historical evolution from ancient Greek