philology

/fəˈlɑlədʒi/

/fɪˈlɒlədʒi/

Philology means the study of language. Not learning specific languages per se, but grammar and history, and how sounds and meanings change over time.

If you study philology, you don't need anyone to tell you that the word philology comes from the Greek philologia "love of learning." It's one of the words ending in -logy, which means "study." Think biology (life), archaeology (ancient things), psychology (the mind), sociology (society).

Definitions of philology

1. noun

   the humanistic study of language and literature
   synonyms: linguistics

   types:

   dialectology

   the branch of philology that is devoted to the study of dialects

   lexicology

   the branch of linguistics that studies the lexical component of language

   onomastics

   the branch of lexicology that studies the forms and origins of proper names

   toponomy, toponymy

   the branch of lexicology that studies the place names of a region or a language

   type of:

   arts, humanistic discipline, humanities, liberal arts

   studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)