THE MAIN PARADIGMS OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IN LINGUISTICS

Abstract

This chapter critically examines the main scientific paradigms that have shaped the discipline of linguistics, tracing their historical development, philosophical underpinnings, and methodological implications. Drawing on Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolutions, it identifies major shifts from traditional and structuralist approaches to the generative paradigm, and further to cognitive, functional, and sociolinguistic frameworks. The analysis delves into the ontological, epistemological, and axiological commitments inherent in each paradigm, contextualizing their emergence within the broader history of language study. By synthesizing these perspectives, the chapter illuminates the dynamic, often pluralistic, nature of linguistic science, highlighting its evolving understanding of knowledge creation and its increasingly interdisciplinary reach.