Why Consider a Linguistics Major?

Introduction

Linguistics, the science of language, is an interdisciplinary field which relates to the diversity of the cultures and languages of the world. It is an integral part of most serious pursuits dealing with aspects of language study and analysis. As the boundaries of the world change, an understanding of individual languages and cultures becomes increasingly important. Communication in this complex society requires knowledge of the workings of languages, as well as their interrelationship with their respective cultures.

Why Consider a Linguistics Major?

All Linguistics majors are expected to acquire knowledge of the functions of language at various levels and knowledge of the techniques and methods used in language analysis. A student of Linguistics will thereby significantly advance their appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity. Students who major in linguistics acquire valuable intellectual skills, including analytic reasoning and argumentation, and learn how to study language scientifically. This means making insightful observations, formulating and testing clear hypotheses, making arguments and drawing conclusions, and communicating findings to a wider community. Linguistics majors are therefore well equipped for a variety of jobs and graduate-level programs.

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Sample Careers

  • Higher Education research and teaching (linguistics, philosophy, psychology, speech sciences, anthropology, computer science, English, modern and classical languages)
  • K-12 Teaching (World Languages, ESL, literacy)
  • Computer Industry (speech recognition, natural language processing, AI)
  • Translating and Interpreting
  • Language documentation and fieldwork
  • Publishing (editing, writing)
  • Lexicography (dictionary research and editing)
  • Law (forensic linguistics)

Majors/Career Resources

What our students are saying

Doing linguistics turns students into scientists of language. They have to discover the rules for themselves based on evidence that they look for. Also, students use their own intuitions to understand the rules.

Studying linguistics has helped me to decide where I want to go after graduation –namely grad school, and academia thereafter. I’ve found an outlet for my love of theory and language!

I’m so glad I’m studying linguistics! It’s a unique major that combines aspects of different social sciences and humanities. It’s really helped me to appreciate interdisciplinary perspectives, to be a good humanist, and to think scientifically.

Industries which hire Language and Linguistics graduates