Linguistics Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope

What is Linguistics

Linguistics is the research, analysis, and logical investigation of human language. It has several disciplines like Pragmatics, Semantics, Morphology, and Phonology. Phonetics deals with the analysis of the form, meaning, and context of language. It also deals with the study and analysis of several factors that influence language, such as social, political, historical, and cultural factors.

Conversation analysis, Forensic phonetics, and linguistics, Historical and anthropological linguistics, Phonetics and phonology, Sociolinguistics, Syntax, and semantics are the major areas of Linguistics.

Linguistics deals with the basis of most if not all of the ways we communicate, it not only deals with the spoken word but also how that word is generated, how to spell it, how to develop new words to keep up with the ever-changing world and its increasing need for new vocabulary to express themselves. And with the rise in the internet that need has increased, even more, the desire to express oneself and having others understand not only where they are coming from but also to relate with them. Making this field incredibly important.

In India, various colleges and universities provide specialized courses in the field of Linguistics. Students can pursue Linguistic courses at different levels, such as undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and other courses.

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Linguistics

Undergraduate Level

Candidates willing to pursue Linguistics courses at the undergraduate level need to fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Students should have completed their 10 + 2 education or any other equivalent exam from a recognized board or university.

• Students need to qualify in the relevant entrance exam to be eligible to get an admission into the courses.

Postgraduate Level

Candidates willing to pursue Linguistics courses at the postgraduate level need to fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Students should have completed their 10 + 2 education or any other equivalent exam from a recognized board or university with a minimum of 50% aggregate.

• Students should have subjects like Chemistry, Biology, and English included in their educational qualifications.

• Students are required to have a relevant bachelor's degree or any other equivalent degree from a recognized board or university with a minimum of 50% aggregate.

• Students should have cleared relevant entrance exams to be eligible for getting admitted to the courses.

Diploma

Candidates willing to pursue Diploma courses in Linguistics need to fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Students are required to have a relevant bachelor's degree or any other equivalent degree from a recognized board or university with a minimum of 50% aggregate.

• Students should have cleared relevant entrance exams (if any) to be eligible for getting admitted to the courses.

Entrance Exams for Linguistics

Undergraduate Level

Students can pursue Linguistics at an undergraduate level by pursuing a bachelor's degree like BA with linguistics as the specialization. Just like other bachelor's in Arts degree courses, BA in linguistics is also a 3-year full-time course.

In India, there are many institutions, colleges, and universities in India that offer full-time study in this course.

But, to get admissions in this course, students are required to complete the admission criteria. Most of the colleges admit students on a merit basis, some colleges offer direct admission, and some colleges conduct their entrance exams along with a personal interview as the admission criteria. Given below are some of the Entrance examinations to get admission to BA. Linguistics program:

• UL Entrance Exam – The entrance exam is conducted by the University of Lucknow.

• JNU Entrance Exam – Jawaharlal Nehru University conducts this entrance exam for admission into various programs, including BA Linguistics.

• LPU Entrance Exam – Lovely Professional University conducts this entrance exam for admission into various programs, including BA Linguistics.

Postgraduate Level

Students can pursue Linguistics at a postgraduate level by pursuing a master's degree like MA with linguistics as the specialization.

Just like other master's degree arts courses, MA in linguistics is also a 2-year full-time course. In India, there are many institutions, colleges, and universities in India that offer full-time study in this course.

The course is divided into four parts or semesters. But, to get admissions in this course, students are required to complete the various admission criteria. There are no such common state or national entrance exams in this field, but some institutions conduct their entrance exam based on which students are admitted. Given below are some of the Entrance examinations to get admission to the MA Linguistics program:

• BHU PET Entrance Exam –  Banaras Hindu University conducts this entrance exam for admission into various programs, including MA Linguistics. The exam is conducted both online and offline.

• JNU Entrance Exam – Jawaharlal Nehru University conducts this entrance exam for admission into various programs, including MA Linguistics.

• DU Entrance exam – This entrance exam is conducted by The University of Delhi.

Diploma

Students can also go for pursuing a Diploma after completing their graduation. Just like other Diploma courses, the diploma in linguistics is also a 1-year full-time course. Given below are some of the Entrance examinations to get admission to the Diploma Linguistics program:

• BHU PET Entrance Exam –  Banaras Hindu University conducts this entrance exam for admission into various programs, including PhD. Linguistics. The exam is helpful in both online and offline mode.

• JU Entrance Exam – Jadavpur University conducts this entrance exam for admission into various programs, including PhD. Linguistics.

Required Skillset for Linguistics

Cross-Cultural Skills – Students should have cross-cultural skills as they hold an important position in the field of linguistics. Cross-cultural refers to knowledge of language relating to social, cultural, and historical contexts. Students need to have an understanding of both local and global perspectives of people. This is because students have to work with people from different backgrounds in this field. Students also should have the ability to adapt themselves to diverse cultural settings and function accordingly.

Communication Skills – Students should have good communication skills to work best in this field. Students should have the ability to deal with the complexities of different types of languages and their use. Students should have the ability to communicate their expressions or complex ideas properly. To do this, students should know the use of language, factors affecting it, language change, and variation. Good interaction skills are a plus point in linguistics, and they also should be able to put forward their ideas or piece of information effectively through speech or writing.

Analytical Skills – Analytical skills play a very crucial role in linguistics as, without this skill, it is impossible to find solutions or resolve issues. Students should have skills to evaluate information, identifying differences, comparing, analyzing, and interpreting data.

Research Skills – Research skills like finding, constructing, and applying various theories are important in linguistics. Students should have the ability to research different subjects, apply different methodologies, and get solutions.