Which subfield of anthropology specifically focuses on language?

Linguistic anthropology is the subfield of anthropology that specifically focuses on language, including its role in social life, the ways it shapes cultural identities, and how it evolves over time. This field examines not only the structure and use of language but also how language reflects and influences cultural practices, social relationships, and power dynamics within a society.

Linguistic anthropologists study various aspects of language, such as syntax, semantics, phonetics, and discourse, as well as how language interacts with other factors such as ethnicity, gender, and social class. This subfield is crucial for understanding the nuances of human communication and the cultural contexts in which language operates.

In contrast, the other subfields—cultural anthropology, archaeological anthropology, and biological anthropology—each have distinct areas of focus. Cultural anthropology explores cultural beliefs, practices, and social structures; archaeological anthropology investigates past human societies through material remains; whereas biological anthropology examines the biological and physical development of humans. These fields may touch upon language in certain contexts but do not focus on it as a primary subject of study like linguistic anthropology does.