This document outlines the main branches of linguistics, including theoretical (general) linguistics, descriptive/applied linguistics, micro linguistics, and macro linguistics. Theoretical linguistics is concerned with frameworks for describing languages, concepts and categories, and theories about universal aspects of language. Descriptive and applied linguistics describe data to confirm or refute language theories and apply concepts in areas like language teaching. Micro linguistics takes a narrow view of language structure, while macro linguistics takes a broad view relating language to other sciences and its application in daily life. Specific branches covered include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and more.
