Russian has several structures within the language including but not limited to phonetics, phonology, grammar, semantics, and physical forms.
Currently, I am working on looking at Russian from several perspectives. While I most rely on the basics found within semantics, grammar, and the “medium of linguistic transition” which consists of phonology and phonetics (Crystal), I also look into how learning Russian affects my brain– psychological linguistics– and how Russian can be used in a broader setting– anthropological linguistics. These various perspectives allow me to explore my target language through multiple lenses and gain even more motivation and personal achievement from my studies.
Since I am a beginner in the language, I naturally lean toward the most simple (to me) approaches. Mostly, I am studying vocabulary and syntax, which are levels of semantics and grammar respectively.
Through the readings though, I am expanding my directory of how to approach language learning. I never really considered learning phonology as much as I have considered learning semantics and grammar. In the past, phonology has boiled down to pronouncing words correctly (enough). This more so ties into the concept of phonetics and leaves the phonology aspect of it on the sidelines. However, the reading reminded me of how intonation and stress can affect how a language is communicated and constructed in a broader sense, not just on a word-per-word basis. I will definitely integrate this into my learning to help me see the patterns with the language structure that will (hopefully) boost my rate of acquisition down the road.
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