Unsolved Problems in Linguistics

This article discusses currently unsolved problems in linguistics.

Some of the issues below are commonly recognized as unsolved problems; i.e., it is generally agreed that no solution is known. Others may be described as controversies; i.e., while there is no common agreement about the answer, there are established schools of thought that believe they have a correct answer.

Linguistics
Theoretical linguistics
  • Cognitive
  • Generative
  • Quantitative
  • Functional theories of grammar
  • Phonology
  • Morphology
  • Morphophonology
  • Syntax
  • Lexis
  • Semantics
  • Pragmatics
  • Graphemics
  • Orthography
  • Semiotics
Descriptive linguistics
  • Anthropological
  • Comparative
  • Historical
  • Etymology
  • Graphetics
  • Phonetics
  • Sociolinguistics
Applied and
experimental linguistics
  • Computational
  • Contrastive
  • Evolutionary
  • Forensic
  • Internet
Language acquisition
(second-language)
  • Language assessment
  • Language development
  • Language education
  • Linguistic anthropology
  • Neurolinguistics
  • Psycholinguistics
Related articles
  • History of linguistics
  • Linguistic prescription
  • List of linguists
  • Unsolved problems
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Read more about Unsolved Problems In Linguistics:  Concepts, Languages, Psycholinguistics, Translation

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