Philological: meaning, definitions and examples
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philological
[ ˌfɪl əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl ]
study of language
Philological refers to the study of language in historical texts, focusing on its development and evolution over time. It encompasses various aspects like grammar, semantics, and linguistics as they relate to literature and written documents.
Synonyms
historical linguistics, linguistic, philological studies
Examples of usage
- She pursued philological studies at the university.
- His philological research uncovered ancient texts.
- The philological analysis revealed shifts in word meanings.
Translations
Translations of the word "philological" in other languages:
🇵🇹 filológico
🇮🇳 भाषाशास्त्रीय
🇩🇪 philologisch
🇮🇩 filologis
🇺🇦 філологічний
🇵🇱 filologiczny
🇯🇵 言語学的
🇫🇷 philologique
🇪🇸 filológico
🇹🇷 filolojik
🇰🇷 언어학적
🇸🇦 فيلولوجي
🇨🇿 filologický
🇸🇰 filologický
🇨🇳 语言学的
🇸🇮 filološki
🇮🇸 fræði
🇰🇿 филологиялық
🇬🇪 ფილოლოგიური
🇦🇿 filoloji
🇲🇽 filológico
Etymology
The term 'philological' is derived from the Greek word 'philos', meaning 'loving', and 'logos', meaning 'word' or 'speech'. As such, it denotes a love or deep understanding of language. The discipline began to take shape in ancient civilizations, particularly in Greece and later in Rome, where scholars devoted themselves to understanding texts not just in their native form, but also in their context and significance. Over time, philology evolved to encompass comparative linguistics, enabling scholars to trace the relationships between languages over time, explore their grammatical structures, and understand their historical and cultural backgrounds. By the 19th century, philology became a formal academic discipline, leading to significant advancements in both the study of language and the interpretation of literary works.