English is a Language, just like any other languages spoken by people anywhere around the world.
But more than just being a language, it is the language with the highest Global Influence.
It is spoken by approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, which is why it is considered as the world's "lingua franca (a language that is adopted as a general or common language between speakers whose native languages are different)", widely used in international activities like business (trade), computer coding, and higher education.
In education most times, it is referred to as "English Studies". And it's vastness is broader than it sounds.
According to encyclopedia, "English Studies is an academic discipline focused on the English language and its diverse uses, encompassing both literature and linguistics. It involves the study of literature written in English, the structure and usage of the language, and its role in various social and historical contexts. Essentially, it's a field that explores the English language in all its forms and applications.
BRANCHES OF ENGLISH
English Studies can broadly be categorized into two:
1. Theoretical linguistics and
2. Applied linguistics.
*Theoretical linguistics focuses on the structure and nature of language itself.
*Applied linguistics explores how linguistic knowledge can be used to solve real-world problems. Key areas within these branches include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics.
*SIMPLEST BRANCH IN ENGLISH
Is there a simplest approach to English Studies? Well, I think this depends on individual capacity or capabilities. It is subjective.
However, it wouldn't be so palatable for one to jump into "English Literature" or "Linguistics" without them having a good knowledge about "English Language Studies".
This is also because Literature and Linguistics can be so complex or complicated, especially for beginners. On the other hand, English Language studies often emphasize:
*developing strong communication,
*writing, and
*analytical skills, which are directly applicable to various professions.
Also, this branch (English Language Studies) focuses on the English language itself.
That is to say, its STRUCTURE:
1. phonetics
2. phonology
3. morphology
4. syntax
5. semantics
6. it's history
7. the variations (dialects, accents).
Don't worry yet about all these above, we would eventually get into them one after the other. This is just an introduction.
*LETTERS OF THE ENGLISH ALPHABET
Now, just for a moment, pretend like you haven't heard about the letters of the English alphabet. I believe that's one of the best ways to really have a clearer understanding, and you might just not get bored about this concept.
Different languages have various alphabets all over the world.
*French: it has 26 letters, just like the English Language, which is why, you would agree with me, that it is the closest language to English.
What differentiates it is the Accents, and other symbols known as the Diacritics.
*Chinese: I think Chinese is the most complex international language known.
It doesn't have an alphabet, like English. Rather, it uses thousands of individual characters that represent words or morphemes.
Back to English.
Below are the 26 letters of the English alphabet. In Upper and Lower cases:
Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee, Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Jj, Kk, Ll, Mm, Nn, Oo, Pp, Qq, Rr, Ss, Tt, Uu, Vv, Ww, Xx, Yy, and Zz.
Observe the below list:
1. Letter
2. Word
3. Phrase
4. Clause
5. Sentence
6. Paragraph
7. Article (Letter, Script, Speech)
9. Book (Magazine, Literature - Poem, Play, Essay, Novel)
1) Letter:
A letter (Alphabet) is simply a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech. It is actually any of the symbols of an alphabet, from A-Z.
2) Word:
It is single; it is distinctive; it could be just a unit letter or a group of letters; and it is a distinctively meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.
Few examples:
1. A
2. I
3. Me
4. Wisdom
5. Free, etc.
3) Sentence:
A Sentence can be a STATEMENT, a QUESTION, or an EXCLAMATION.
It is a group of well arranged words to make a complete sense.
However, sometimes a group of well arranged words might not be complete enough to make a complete sense: it might just give you an idea (but not complete), and it is usually a part of a sentence. We call it a PHRASE, or a CLAUSE (depends on the presence of a Subject, or a Verb, or both).
Some examples of Sentences:
1. I am the first son of my parents.
2. Are you the first son of your parents?
3. It is my right as the first son!
Now, take note:
I. A statement sentence must end with a Fullstop (.)
A statement simply expresses a complete thought.
II. A question statement must end with a question mark/sign (?)
III. An exclamatory sentence must end with an exclamation (!)
For better understanding, a Sentence is usually divided into two parts: the SUBJECT and PREDICATE.
The "Subject" is the performer of the action in a given sentence, or the person/thing that is being spoken about. The 'person' could either be a 'noun or a pronoun '.
While the predicate is whatever is being spoken concerning the subject, or whatever is being said that the subject did or performed in the given sentence.
Let's have a look at the example below:
* The cat was sleeping under the bench.
"The cat" is the Subject of the sentence, while "was sleeping under the bench" is the predicate.
Also, note, Subjects and Predicates can be seen in two forms: Simple and Compound.
In the Sentences below,
1. The cute, white cat drank her milk and slept in her room.
Simple Subject: "cat"
Compound Subject: "The cute, white cat"
Simple Predicate: "drank and slept"
Predicate: "drank her milk and slept in her room".