The word "synthetic language" is spelled as /sɪnˈθɛtɪk ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/. The first syllable "syn" is pronounced as /sɪn/ and the second syllable "thet" is pronounced as /θɛt/. The stress is on the second syllable "thet". The next syllable "ic" is pronounced as /ɪk/. The final two syllables "language" are pronounced as /ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/. The word refers to a language that uses extensive inflection or affixes to convey grammatical information, unlike isolating languages that rely on word order or syntax.
A synthetic language is a linguistic construct characterized by its complex inflectional systems, where words often incorporate multiple grammatical elements fused together to form a single word. In a synthetic language, the meaning and function of a word are determined by its internal structure or arrangement of affixes, rather than relying on strict word order or separate function words. The inflected morphology of synthetic languages allows for a more condensed expression of grammatical information, as different word elements convey various grammatical categories such as tense, person, number, case, gender, etc.
Unlike analytic languages, which rely heavily on word order and separate function words for conveying grammatical nuances, synthetic languages possess a greater degree of flexibility and rely more on internal word modifications to convey meaning. Examples of synthetic languages include Latin, Greek, Russian, Hindi, and many indigenous languages from different parts of the world.
In a synthetic language, the process of word formation includes various morphological processes such as suffixation, prefixation, or infixation, which help generate related words. These complex morphological systems enable the synthesis of meaning and grammatical information within a single word, enhancing linguistic efficiency and compactness. Additionally, synthetic languages often exhibit extensive morphophonemic alternations, where the phonological form of a word may change depending on its morphological context. This inherent complexity of synthetic languages can lead to rich and nuanced linguistic systems, facilitating the expression of precise distinctions in meaning.
The word "synthetic" has its origin in the Greek word "synthetikos", which means "putting together" or "combining". It comes from the verb "synthetos", which means "to put together" or "to arrange". In this context, the term "synthetic" implies the idea of combining or constructing something by bringing different elements together.
The word "language" comes from the Old French "langage", which has its roots in Latin "lingua", meaning "tongue" or "speech". "Lingua" further traces back to the Proto-Indo-European word "dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s", which also means "tongue" or "speech".