Part B · Short Questions — Language and Linguistics (definition, characteristics)

Linguists collect real data. They listen to people and record how they speak. They also study written texts. They do not depend on guesses. For example, they record children's speech to learn how a child gains language. Real data is the base of every science. Anyone can check the same data again. This makes linguistic work reliable and open to check by all.

Linguists look for patterns in language. From many examples, they find rules. For example, English adds -s to make a plural, as in books and pens. Another rule is that the subject comes before the verb. These rules are clear and general. They explain how language works, as a scientist explains nature. Rules help us predict new forms too, such as the plural of a new word like blog.

A linguist first makes an idea. This idea is called a hypothesis. Then the linguist tests it with examples. For example, we may say that adjectives come before nouns in English. The phrase red car proves it, but car red does not. If the test fails, the linguist changes the idea. Testing is a key part of science. A good test uses clear examples, so the result is easy to see and repeat.

Linguistics is objective. It describes language as it is, not as it should be. A linguist does not call one dialect good or bad. The study uses clear methods and avoids personal feelings. Other scholars can repeat the study and get the same result. This neutral way is also the way of science. Because of this, linguists can study Bangla, English and any language in the same fair way.