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Philologist: meaning, definitions and examples

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philologist

 

[ ˌfɪl.əˈlɒdʒ.ɪst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

language study

A philologist is a person who studies language in written historical sources; it is a combination of literary studies, history, and linguistics. Philologists analyze texts and try to understand their meanings, origins, and context within a culture. They may examine the development of languages and draw connections between different linguistic traditions. Philology also includes the study of literature and its historical contexts, making it an important field for understanding cultural heritage.

Synonyms

historian of language, linguist, textual analyst.

Examples of usage

  • The philologist spent years deciphering ancient manuscripts.
  • Her work as a philologist focused on the evolution of the English language.
  • A renowned philologist gave a lecture on classical literature.
  • Many philologists contribute to the preservation of endangered languages.

Translations

Translations of the word "philologist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 filólogo

🇮🇳 भाषाशास्त्री

🇩🇪 Philologe

🇮🇩 filolog

🇺🇦 філолог

🇵🇱 filolog

🇯🇵 言語学者

🇫🇷 philologue

🇪🇸 filólogo

🇹🇷 filolog

🇰🇷 언어학자

🇸🇦 فيلولوجي

🇨🇿 filolog

🇸🇰 filológ

🇨🇳 语言学家

🇸🇮 filolog

🇮🇸 fræði

🇰🇿 филолог

🇬🇪 ფილოლოგი

🇦🇿 filoloq

🇲🇽 filólogo

Etymology

The term 'philologist' is derived from the Greek words 'philos', meaning 'loving', and 'logos', meaning 'word' or 'speech'. It was first used in the 19th century as the field of philology began to emerge as a distinct discipline, encompassing both the study of language and literature. The growth of philology was closely linked to developments in historical linguistics, which sought to understand how languages change over time. Philologists often found themselves at the intersection of various academic disciplines, including history, literature, and cultural studies. As modern linguistics evolved, the focus of philology shifted slightly, but the foundational principles of analyzing language texts and understanding their context remain central to philological study today.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,028, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.