Synchronically (/sɪŋkrəˈnɪkli/), spelled with a "ch" instead of a "c", represents the adverb form of the word synchronic, meaning existing or occurring at the same time. This word is often used in linguistics to describe the study of language at a particular point in time. The "ch" sound is represented by the letters "ch" when following certain vowels or letters, such as "s" in this case, according to the phonetic rules of English spelling.
Synchronically, in the context of linguistics and anthropology, refers to the examination and analysis of language or cultural phenomena at a particular point in time. It is a term used to describe the study of a language or culture as it exists in the present, rather than considering its historical development or changes over time. The focus of synchronic analysis is on understanding the structure, organization, and functioning of a language or cultural system at a given moment.
When studying a language synchronically, linguists disregard the diachronic dimension, which refers to analyzing how the language has evolved or changed over a period of time. Instead, synchronic analysis provides a snapshot of a language's grammar, vocabulary, and usage patterns, looking at its internal structure and features as they coexist. It involves examining the relationships among various linguistic elements within a particular system, paying attention to the way they function together to convey meaning.
Similarly, in the field of anthropology, a synchronic perspective involves studying a culture or society as it exists in the present, without considering its historical development or evolution. It aims to understand the social structure, customs, beliefs, and practices of a community at a specific moment, rather than delving into its historical context or changes over time.
Overall, "synchronically" relates to the examination of language or cultural phenomena as they exist at a specific point in time, focusing on their present structure and organization.
The word "synchronically" is derived from the noun "synchrony" combined with the suffix "-ic" and the adverbial suffix "-ally".
The noun "synchrony" is derived from the Greek word "synkhronos", which is a combination of "syn" (meaning "together") and "khronos" (meaning "time"). In Greek, "synkhronos" referred to something occurring at the same time or in unison.
The suffix "-ic" in English is commonly used to form adjectives from nouns, expressing the meaning of "relating to" or "pertaining to". Thus, "synchronic" is an adjective meaning "relating to synchrony" or "occurring at the same time".
The adverbial suffix "-ally" is added to the adjective "synchronic" to form "synchronically".