Both semantics and pragmatics study meanings.

Modern linguistics is mostly prescriptive, but sometimes descriptive.

General linguistics, which relates itself to the research of other areas, studies the basic concepts, theories, descriptions, models and methods applicable in any linguistic study.

The distinction between competence and performance was proposed by F. de Saussure.

Phonetics

Modern linguistics is different from traditional grammar.

Pragmatics is different from semantics in that pragmatics studies meaning not in isolation, but in context.

General linguistics is generally the study of language as a whole.

Syntax

Sociolinguistics is the study of language in relation to society.