Linguistics and Ancient Western Linguistic Thought The Dialectic of Discontinuity and Continuity - - A Descriptive Comparative Study -

Abstract

Modern linguistics is an independent field of study, with its own principles, methodologies, and epistemological and philosophical backgrounds that emerged in the early 19th century. There is an ongoing debate about whether this science is a continuation of ancient Western linguistic thought or a complete break from it, despite its significant linguistic contributions to the field. This study confirms that modern linguistics represents both a discontinuity and a continuity simultaneously. It is a discontinuity in terms of its methodologies and a continuity in terms of its subject matter, which is language. As such, the significance and status of this science in the field of linguistics are highlighted through its study, adoption, interest, and branching out.