Question: What do linguistics study and why? 

Answer: Linguists study language and the meaning of words.\n\nOne of the most fascinating classes I took in college was Philosophy of Linguistics thru the school's philosophy dept. \n\nIf you want to really know HOW people think...and really try to get a grasp around language and how it affects thinking and understanding...take a lingustics course. I don't mean "oo" sounds versus "eww" sounds or anything like that. \n\nI mean examining questions like "If an ethnic group has 17 different words for types of snow...does that group look at snow in a different way than a group that has one word for 'snow'."\n\nOr "If a group has no word for 'birthday' or 'birth date', what does that say linguistically about their concept of time and age?" \n\nMaybe this answer is way over the edge..a bit ethereal...or, maybe it will kinda 'click' with someone....
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