Grammatology is the study of written language and literature. This field of linguistics and literary criticism is characterized by its focus on the structure, function, and social context of writing systems. Synonyms for the term grammatology include writing studies, literary theory, linguistics, and literary criticism. Other related fields include genre studies, rhetorical theory, and text linguistics. Grammatologists often explore how writing systems reflect cultural values and identity, whether through the analysis of particular texts or broader trends in literary history. The study of grammatology is an important aspect of understanding the role of written language in shaping society and culture.