Linguistics explores the nature of language variations and dialects, how language evolves over time, how it is processed and stored in the human brain, and how it is acquired. It is the scientific study of language and communication, both within a single language and across language groups. Its primary sub-areas are
phonetics \u2013 the study of the production, acoustics, and hearing of speech sounds;
phonology \u2013 the patterning of sounds;
morphology \u2013 the structure of words;
syntax \u2013 the structure of sentences;
semantics \u2013 meaning; and
pragmatics \u2013 language in context.\n
This summary may at first glance appear to present a very specialized and narrow field of study. Upon further investigation, though, one can begin to envision the applicability and impact of linguistics on disciplines as diverse as philosophy, education, psychology, sociology, anthropology, computer science, and artificial intelligence. Suddenly, the potential career opportunities connected to a linguistics degree are expansive.
", "display_order": 1, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:36.466684-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-11-18T13:55:38.078324-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 119, "page": 1, "title": "Program Options", "summary_markdown": "**Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Linguistics \u2013 Four Year Duration** \r\nGraduates of linguistics programs with a four-year bachelor\u2019s degree do not typically work directly in the linguistics field. Rather, they tend to move into language related careers in writing, editing, and journalism.\r\n\r\n**Master\u2019s Degree in Linguistics \u2013 Two Year Duration** \r\n**Doctoral Degree in Linguistics \u2013 Three to Five Year Duration** \r\nThese graduate-level degrees are targeted at individuals who wish to work in academia, conducting linguistics research or teaching the discipline.", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "", "display_order": 2, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:36.468809-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-14T14:55:43.157002-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 119, "page": 1, "title": "Degrees Similar to Linguistics", "summary_markdown": "**[Anthropology](/degrees/anthropology-degree/)** \r\nAnthropology is the study of the evolutionary history of people, how they interact, how they adapt to various environments, and how they communicate and socialize with one another. The link to language and to linguistics \u2013 the nature and structure of language \u2013 is evident. In fact, historically, anthropologists have been trained in one of four areas: sociocultural anthropology, biological/physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics.\r\n\r\n**[Sociology](/degrees/sociology-degree/)** \r\nSociology is an attempt to understand how membership in a particular social group affects individual behavior. It examines patterns in human behavior and how they impact human relationships. These patterns; these social and cultural processes naturally include language and linguistic tendencies within groups.\r\n\r\n**[Mass Communication and Media Studies](/degrees/mass-communication-and-media-studies-degree/)** \r\nThis discipline looks at how people collect, share, and use information. It combines elements of the social sciences and the humanities to study how humans communicate. While the field explores traditional and new interactive media, it also examines language and how we use it.\r\n\r\n**[Education](/degrees/education-degree/)** \r\nIt is not uncommon for individuals who consider pursuing a degree in linguistics to also think about an education degree. The processes of language learning and teaching naturally link the two areas.", "content_markdown": "**[Foreign Languages and Literatures](/degrees/foreign-languages-and-literatures-degree/)** \r\nOf course, the field of linguistics is directly linked to first language acquisition and foreign language learning. The sub-areas of linguistics (explained in the summary, above) \u2013 phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics \u2013 are the foundations of foreign language learning.\r\n\r\n**[Psychology](/degrees/psychology-degree/)** \r\nOne of the sub-disciplines of linguistics is *psycholinguistics*, which is concerned with the ways in which language is represented and processed in the brain. Psycholinguistics asks two questions: What knowledge of language is needed for us to use language? Which cognitive processes are involved in the use of language?\r\n\r\n**[Philosophy](/degrees/philosophy-degree/)** \r\nLanguage is central to human cognition, perception, culture, and life. It allows us to express ideas and emotion. How it does this is a question that has concerned philosophers from the time of Plato.\r\n\r\n**[Computer Science](/degrees/computer-science-degree/)** \r\nComputer science and linguistics both study the properties of language. They therefore share concepts, terminology, and methods. For a further discussion of the relationships between the two disciplines, see the *Case Study*, below.", "content_html": "
Foreign Languages and Literatures
\nOf course, the field of linguistics is directly linked to first language acquisition and foreign language learning. The sub-areas of linguistics (explained in the summary, above) \u2013 phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics \u2013 are the foundations of foreign language learning.
\n
Psychology
\nOne of the sub-disciplines of linguistics is psycholinguistics, which is concerned with the ways in which language is represented and processed in the brain. Psycholinguistics asks two questions: What knowledge of language is needed for us to use language? Which cognitive processes are involved in the use of language?
\n
Philosophy
\nLanguage is central to human cognition, perception, culture, and life. It allows us to express ideas and emotion. How it does this is a question that has concerned philosophers from the time of Plato.
\n
Computer Science
\nComputer science and linguistics both study the properties of language. They therefore share concepts, terminology, and methods. For a further discussion of the relationships between the two disciplines, see the Case Study, below.
", "display_order": 3, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:36.470915-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-14T14:56:46.400358-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 119, "page": 1, "title": "Skills You’ll Learn", "summary_markdown": "In addition to gaining an intricate understanding of the branches of linguistics, the study of the discipline leaves graduates with the following set of soft, transferrable skills:\r\n\r\n- Ability to work with data, analyze, interpret, and present\r\n- An appreciation for the subtleties of spoken and written communication\r\n- Ability to write at a high level, through understanding of linguistic structure", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "
In addition to gaining an intricate understanding of the branches of linguistics, the study of the discipline leaves graduates with the following set of soft, transferrable skills:
\n
\n- Ability to work with data, analyze, interpret, and present
\n- An appreciation for the subtleties of spoken and written communication
\n- Ability to write at a high level, through understanding of linguistic structure
\n
", "display_order": 4, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:36.473269-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-11-18T13:55:38.081825-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 119, "page": 1, "title": "What Can You Do with a Linguistics Degree?", "summary_markdown": "Linguistics can occupy many professional spaces in our technology-driven world. Consider these opportunities available to linguistics majors:\r\n\r\n**Technology and Science** \r\n- Computer-mediated language learning \r\n- Text-to-speech synthesis \r\n- Artificial intelligence \r\n- Natural language processing \r\n- User research \r\n\r\n**Advertising/ Branding** \r\nAdvertising, branding, and marketing agencies commonly conduct extensive linguistic research on the associations that people make with specific words and sounds to devise campaigns that will appeal to and attract consumers.\r\n\r\n**Education** \r\n- Develop educational materials and methods \r\n- Train teachers \r\n- Design assessments \r\n- Conduct educational research \r\n- Teach ESL - English as a Second Language (locally or abroad) \r\n- Teach at the university level (with a graduate degree) in departments such as Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Speech/Communication Sciences, Anthropology, English, Foreign Languages \r\n\r\n**Translation** \r\nSkilled translators are needed in various settings, including government agencies, courts of law, and hospitals. Of course, the primary requirement is proficiency in the specific language, but a linguistics background is considered a definite asset.\r\n\r\n**Language Documentation** \r\nSome schools, agencies, and institutes hire linguists to document, analyze, and revitalize endangered languages. These roles may involve conducting language-related fieldwork and surveys, establishing literacy programs, and translating culturally significant documents.", "content_markdown": "**Publishing / Journalism** \r\nPositions in writing, editing, and publishing, which demand advanced verbal and composition skills, are natural fits for linguists.\r\n\r\n**Lexicography** \r\nThe lexicography (dictionary) industry consistently needs qualified linguists with knowledge of all phonology, morphology, historical linguistics, dialectology, and sociolinguistics.\r\n\r\n**Testing Agency** \r\nLinguists who work with testing agencies develop and evaluate standardized examinations and conduct related research.\r\n\r\n**Language Consultant** \r\nLaw firms, law enforcement agencies, police departments, and courts call upon forensic linguists to study matters like the language of legal texts, linguistic characteristics relating to evidence, and voice identification.\r\n\r\n**Government** \r\nGovernment agencies that hire linguistics experts include the Foreign Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Department of Defense, and the Department of Education.", "content_html": "
Publishing / Journalism
\nPositions in writing, editing, and publishing, which demand advanced verbal and composition skills, are natural fits for linguists.
\n
Lexicography
\nThe lexicography (dictionary) industry consistently needs qualified linguists with knowledge of all phonology, morphology, historical linguistics, dialectology, and sociolinguistics.
\n
Testing Agency
\nLinguists who work with testing agencies develop and evaluate standardized examinations and conduct related research.
\n
Language Consultant
\nLaw firms, law enforcement agencies, police departments, and courts call upon forensic linguists to study matters like the language of legal texts, linguistic characteristics relating to evidence, and voice identification.
\n
Government
\nGovernment agencies that hire linguistics experts include the Foreign Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Department of Defense, and the Department of Education.
", "display_order": 5, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:36.475471-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-14T15:00:14.737802-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 119, "page": 1, "title": "Case Study", "summary_markdown": "This example from the computer science industry demonstrates perfectly the potential versatility of a linguistics degree.\r\n\r\nOne noteworthy and probably unexpected employer of linguists is Microsoft Corporation. Its linguists were fundamental in developing the grammar-checking function for Windows software. Responding to the increasingly multilingual Internet, they are currently focusing on improving the quality of automated translation. \r\n\r\nIn other business sectors, such as finance, healthcare, and various technologies, linguists are being hired as \u2018knowledge engineers\u2019 and \u2018vocabulary-resource managers\u2019 to research, analyze, and build commercially viable natural language processing systems that understand and converse within those specific domains. These intricate e-business databases or \u2018lexicons\u2019 can distinguish between multiple meanings of words, group related words, and produce more targeted online and telecommunications search results. The outcome is improved customer service.", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "", "display_order": 6, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:36.477862-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-14T15:01:19.706575-08:00"}], "degree_specializations": []}">
