DEFINITIONS

· Synchronic-Linguistics. [tr. F. synchronique (F. de Saussure a 1913, in Cours de linguistique générale (1916) iii. 117).] Pertaining to or designating a method of linguistic study concerned with the state of a language at one time, past or present; descriptive, as opposed to historical or diachronic. Also transf. in Anthropology, etc. (OED)

· Diachronic-Linguistics. [tr. F. diachronique (F. de Saussure a 1913, in Cours de linguistique générale (1916) iii. 120).] Pertaining to or designating a method of linguistic study concerned with the historical development of a language; historical, as opposed to descriptive or synchronic. Also transf., in Anthropology, etc. Hence diachronically adv.; diachrony. (OED)

· Prescriptive,adj.-That prescribes or directs; giving definite, precise directions or instructions. In later use, in Linguistics: that lays down rules of usage. (OED)

· Descripive,adj.- Having the quality or function of describing; serving to describe; characterized by description.( OED)

· Interlanguage, n. Add:2. Linguistics. A linguistic system typically developed by a student before acquiring fluency in a foreign language, and containing elements of both his or her native tongue and of the target language.(OED)

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