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Research in Language

The role of language in research is one aspect of language Research and Research in Language
is another aspect of this study. The main objective here is to discuss the second aspect, that is the
Research in the Language field. To achieve that goal one must know the role that the language plays in
research. This study helps us to understand the problems creeping into modern language research.

From the experience of assessing Ph.D. theses and reviewing research articles to be published in
journals for at least two decades and also from the discussions with other language teachers it is
evident that the quality of research is declining at both fronts, Aashaya and Abhivyakti (content and
presentation).

As a Sanskrit professor, I only know the status of research in Sanskrit but the overall situation in the
field of languages and partly in the field of humanities is the same. This statement is certainly true
when one discusses the role of language in research. An illustration will explain the point clearly. To
make full use of the computer or laptop one has to learn the techniques of its use and the facilities
provided by the device because it is a sadhana, that is, a means to collect the data and later to analyse
it. Unless one has mastery over the use of the device one cannot take advantage of it to its optimum
level. In the same way, any language as the means of research is to be learned thoroughly with all its
properties, stylistic usages, shades of meanings, grammatical structure, and the abundant vocabulary
in that language account. This preparation helps to enhance both the skills in any language such as
reading and writing. It also facilitates observation by focusing on that which is seen by all but observed
by nobody. The documentation of these observations, which is the important aspect of robust research
depends on the language skills of the researcher. Therefore, to present a thesis in pure, sophisticated,
stylistic, and accurate language is a value-addition to research and thus the contribution of language
cannot be ignored in any field of research.

The Role of Language in Research

The role of language is purely human and it is an instinctive method of communicating ideas,
emotions, and desires through a system of articulatory symbols, which are produced voluntarily.
These symbols are auditory and produced by the vocal organs. There are four major skills for language
proficiency: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Speaking and writing are called “productive
skills” as they involve some kind of creative activity by the language-user while listening and reading
are called “receptive skills” as the language-user receives information using them, which are in spoken
or written form. Among these four, reading and writing skills ascertain the core value of presentation
and the content-value of research. Bloomfield also made a statement about writing as, “Writing
is not a language, but merely a way of recording language by means of visible marks” (ibid.: 21). It
becomes still more important, therefore, to master the language-recording methods. This then leads
to the concept of Standard Language. A new trend is crawling in, which rejects the idea of standard
language but adheres to the view of writing in free language as one speaks it, indicating a leaning
towards the dialects. This is to escape from the tight clutches of grammar, which controls the quality
of and changes in any language. However, in the so-called liberal society of today, any type of control
is not acceptable under the garb of liberty and freedom, and therefore, the very idea of standard
language is collapsing; in short, it is a journey towards dialects alone. This trend of the use of free
language will prove harmful to the language of research and consequently to research in languages
too. Disciplined language is a must in research. The data for research can be collected with the help of
various technologies available in this new era but to analyse it and to decipher it, one needs the sound
knowledge of the language in terms of style and culture. Every language has its own linguistic and

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