What is the study of language processing and structure called?

The study of language processing and structure is referred to as linguistics. This field encompasses a broad range of topics, including syntax, phonetics, semantics, and morphology, which collectively define how language is structured and functionally processed. Linguistics examines the underlying principles governing the formation, meaning, and use of language across different contexts, providing a foundational understanding of how language works in human communication.

While psycholinguistics focuses specifically on the psychological processes that underlie language comprehension, production, and acquisition, applied linguistics is concerned with practical applications of language studies, such as teaching and language policy. Sociolinguistics looks at how language varies and changes in social contexts, studying the intersection of language and society. Therefore, linguistics serves as the overarching discipline that includes these various subfields, making it the most accurate answer to the question regarding language processing and structure.