Linguistics Linguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning. It also studies the uses of language in everyday life, the ways in which it varies across society and evolves over time, and how it is mastered by children. Social Anthropology Social anthropology is the study of human conduct and thought. Societies around the world vary enormously socially, culturally and politically. The study of these variations, and the common humanity that underlies them, is at the heart of social anthropology. There are close links between social anthropology and sociology, human geography, development studies, history, archaeology, and philosophy.