Linguistics deals with language and the various issues concerning language. It is a conglomerate composed of over 70 academic subjects, covering seven major areas: language structure, language function, language application, human language learning, machine language learning, language and physiology, and language and cognition. Linguistics as an academic subject in its very nature can be categorized under three themes: scientifi c, technological and artistic. It thus transcends humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The objective of linguistic studies is to understand the rules and regulations of languages. Language technology is about the application and exploitation of language for instrumental purposes with an aim to benefit the human race; the artistic aspects of language and its writing system can be utilized for fostering the aesthetic sense of the public. To understand the nature of linguistics is significant and far reaching as it is conducive in integrating linguistic theories and disciplinary framework of linguistics study, so that it enables us to shift the focus of seeking to answer fundamental questions concerning constructing models of linguistic knowledge to practical application. More generally, this shift also contributes to rectifying discipline categories that are currently adopted in Chinese universities, ultimately leading to furthering linguistic studies. The outcome of linguistic studies should be made applicable in other academic subject and society.
