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armchair linguistics

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

Any linguistic enterprise employing introspection rather than empirical methods, such as elicitation.

informal, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Armchair linguistics does not have⟳ a good name⟳ in some linguistics circles. A caricature of the armchair linguist is something like⟳ this. He sits in a deep soft comfortable armchair, with his eyes closed and his hands clasped behind his head. Once in a while he opens his eyes, sits up abruptly shouting, "Wow, what a neat fact!", grabs his pencil, and writes something down. Then he paces around for a few hours in the excitement of having come⟳ still closer to knowing what language is really like⟳.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

armchair psychologist armchair psychology armchair quarterback armchair tick armchair traveller Armchairs

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