M. A. I english P. C3 & C6 Modern Linguistics title pmd

Check your progress - I 
I. 
Answer the following questions in one word, phrase or sentence 
each.
1) 
Define linguistics.
2) 
What is the object of study of linguistics?

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3) 
What does ‘monolingual’ mean? 
4) 
What is ‘creole’?
II. 
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words/ expression.
1) 
Milton invented _________ to substitute ‘Hell.’ 
2) 
‘Pidgin’ is a __________ language.
3) 
Language is a __________ phenomenon.
4) 
_________ is an arbitrary system of communication.
Subject Matter - II 
1.4 Nature of Linguistic Enquiry 
In the definition of linguistics above we have used the word ‘scientific’. 
Let’s try to understand why linguistics is a science.
In a very general sense, we use the term ‘science’ for any knowledge 
which is based on some clear, systematic and rational understanding. The 
process followed in science is empirical i.e. it is always based on the logically 
proven data using certain procedure. In the pure sciences, the process 
followed includes different stages such as primary observation, statement of 
problem, hypothesis, observation, experimentation, collection of data, 
analysis of data, hypothesis testing and conclusion. However, the same 
procedure is not applicable in human sciences. For example, in political 

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science or philosophy, problems are different but they need to be addressed. 
Often they are presented in the form of logical arguments asthe empirical 
study is not possible due to multiple dimensions of the issue. Most of the 
times, there are possibilities of personal interest of the researcher. Hence, a 
scientific study has to be objective as well. Only objectivity in enquiry can 
lead the researcher to the root cause of the problem or discovery. It is 
expected that science provides explanation after adequate observation of 
data and it is consistent i.e. there is no contradiction between different parts 
of the explanation or statement. All of them must be logically and empirically 
connected to each other. All the observations must be presented in a precise 
and non-redundant language. Everything must be stated in a straightforward 
way and roundabout way should be strictly avoided so as to make the 
observations clear to the readers. Let’s see if Linguistics follows these 
criteria.
The object of study of linguistics is language. Almost all the languages 
have similar characteristics. Most of the languageshave definite shapes, sets 
of classifiable vocabulary and sets of sentence structures. Pictorial 
languages are exceptions to them. However, all these languages can be 
studied using certain common criteria. Linguistsidentify those common as 
well as particular criteria for each language while studying it. They identify the 
components of language the way physicists and chemists do with materials 
to determine their nature. Linguists observe speech-sounds, word formation, 
arrangement of words into phrases, clauses and sentences, etc. They use 
their senses to identify these elements. Our senses are at work when we 
listen, speak or read something.
After observation comes the stage of classification. In any science, 
observable phenomenon must have a precise explanation. The explanation 

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should elaborate the nature of that phenomenon. For example, chemists 
classify elements as metals and non-metals; biologists classify living things 
as plants and animals. In the same way linguists observe characteristics of 
language and classify them as spoken and written. Further they classify both 
the forms into sounds, words, phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and 
texts. For example, there are 44 sounds in English which are further 
classified as pure vowels (12), dipthongs (8) and consonants (24). There are 
only 26 alphabets but 44 sounds in English. This is something surprising. But 
it is not surprising because the linguists have observed English spoken by 
thousands of educated and non-educated speakers before presenting the 
analysis before us. This analysis is absolutely empirical in its nature and the 
methodology used is scientific. It observes the observable phenomenon and 
arrives at conclusion after analysis of the data.
Let’s try to elaborate steps in Linguistic Analysis