A Brief Analysis of Comparative Linguistics and Contrastive linguistics

【Abstract】Comparison and contrast are two basic methods of linguistic research. Accordingly， there are two main branches in linguistics， namely， comparative linguistics and contrastive linguistics. This thesis will examine the relation between comparative and contrastive linguistics and further explore their influence on second language teaching and learning. Hopefully， the readers can get a better understanding of comparative and contrastive linguistics and apply these knowledge to help themselves and others learn second language more effectively.

【Key Words】Comparative linguistics； Contrastive linguistics； Second language teaching and learning

【作者簡介】趙靜，遼寧大學 外國語學院。

1. Comparison and Contrast in Linguistics

Comparison and contrast play significant role in linguistic research. When comparison or contrast is conducted， linguistic research may be distinguished in two ways. Firstly， according to the time， linguistic research can be classified into synchronic study and diachronic study. Secondly， according to the object， it can be classified into the study within the same language and the study between different languages.

Diachronic study within the same language and one between two or more different languages combine to form a branch of linguistics—comparative linguistics. And contrastive linguistics is one type of synchronic study between two or more different languages. The focus of this thesis is on comparative linguistics and contrastive linguistics.

2. Definition of Comparative Linguistics and Contrastive linguistics

Originated from the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century， comparative linguistics has a history of more than 200 years. According to Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics， “comparative linguistics” is “a branch of linguistics which studies language change and language relationships”.

Contrastive linguistics， originally called contrastive analysis， was born more than a century later than comparative linguistics. It was first proposed by American ethnographic linguist B. Whorf in 1941. In Websters Third New International Dictionary， “contrastive linguistics” is defined as “a branch of linguistics concerned with showing the differences and similarities in the structure of at least two languages or dialects”.

3. Distinctions Between Comparative Linguistics and Contrastive linguistics

4. Their Influence on Second Language Teaching and Learning

Both comparative linguistics and contrastive linguistics make great contribution to second language teaching and learning. Comparative linguistics records the historical development of the target language， and thus can give possible reasons for changes in this language. With the help of these knowledge， second language teachers can explain words and grammar more explicitly and then students may make meaningful learning instead of rote learning accordingly. Contrastive linguistics describes comparable features between the native language and the target language to find out differences. According to such differences， second language teachers can predict the possible difficult points learners may meet and give more explanation about them. Thus students may learn second language more effectively.

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