Språkfilologi

Språkfilologi, often shortened to filologi, is the study of language in oral and written historical sources. It is the scholarly study of language in literature. Practiced primarily, but not exclusively, in the humanities, philology links linguistic and literary studies. It is concerned with the analysis of literary texts, their interpretation, and the reconstruction of their historical and cultural context.

The discipline of philology has a long history, with roots in ancient Greece and Rome, and later flourished during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Early philologists focused on the accurate transcription and interpretation of classical texts, aiming to restore them to their original form and meaning. This often involved detailed linguistic analysis, including the study of etymology, grammar, and syntax.

In modern times, philology has expanded its scope to include the study of a wider range of languages and texts, from ancient inscriptions to contemporary literature. It remains an essential tool for understanding the evolution of languages, the development of literary traditions, and the cultural history of societies. Philology can involve examining manuscripts, deciphering ancient scripts, and comparing different versions of a text to establish its most authentic form. It also contributes to our understanding of how languages change over time and how cultural practices are reflected in written records.