German linguistics explores the structure and use of the German language in both its contemporary form and with respect to its historical development. To ensure an adequate understanding of the research, German is considered within the context of other, more or less closely related, languages. The programme also draws upon theoretical approaches from general linguistics.

Linguistics is divided into three subareas within the German Language and Literature programme at Freie Universität Berlin: grammar, semantics/pragmatics/neurolinguistics and language change. The programme thus covers the key areas of German linguistics.