Linguistics Major

Description: A program that focuses on language, language development, and relationships among languages and language groups from a humanistic and/or scientific perspective. Includes instruction in subjects such as psycholinguistics, behavioral linguistics, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, mathematical and computational linguistics, grammatical theory and theoretical linguistics, philosophical linguistics, philology and historical linguistics, comparative linguistics, phonetics, phonemics, dialectology, semantics, functional grammar and linguistics, language typology, lexicography, morphology and syntax, orthography, stylistics, structuralism, rhetoric, and applications to artificial intelligence. Is Linguistics the right major for you?
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Linguistics Major

What Kinds of Students Major in Linguistics?

Linguistics majors are intrigued by the study of one’s own and of foreign languages. Beyond simply learning how to speak a language, linguistics majors are interested in language as an object of study. This is a highly technical field in which mathematics, computing, psychology and sociology play significant roles. Linguistics integrates knowledge from many disciplines beyond those mentioned.

Is Linguistics the right major for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors!

What Courses Do Linguistics Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Linguistics majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

  • American Sign Language
  • Computational Linguistics
  • Grammar and Syntax
  • Language and Culture
  • Linguistic Analysis
  • Philosophy of Language
  • Semantics and Phonetics
  • Structure of Western Languages
  • Theory of Linguistics