Linguistics - Faculty of Arts

Offered by the School of Languages Cultures and Linguistics

Linguistics is the study of the structure and function of language and the uses of language in communication, including written, spoken and `cyber' contexts. Linguistics explores how languages differ and what they all share, and provides the techniques and principles to be adopted in the analysis and description of any given language. In addition, the linguistic study of language and language use in socio-cultural contexts contributes to our understanding of identities, social and cultural organisation, multiculturalism and multilingualism, institutions and power, as well as the creative functions of language in texts and discourses. Knowledge of linguistics is central to the study of languages (eg English, Australian Aboriginal languages, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish). Linguistics also offers students of anthropology, mathematics, philosophy, sociology, engineering, psychology, law, and computer science, useful insights into the nature of language in their particular area of interest. Examples of the practical applications of linguistics include communications within organisations, communications interfaces with electronic systems, the preparation of materials for language teaching, the documentation of endangered languages, the development of language policies in government and education, and in the areas of business, professional and technical communication, tourism, intercultural communication and speech therapy.

The first year provides students with an introduction to the nature of language, including the manner in which sounds are produced and represented (phonetics), the organisation and relationship of sounds in language (phonology), the forms and structures of words (morphology), the organisation of words in sentences (syntax), the analysis of meaning (semantics and pragmatics), language change (historical linguistics) and language variation and the uses of language in social contexts (sociolinguistics).

In the second and third years, the areas of syntax, semantics, pragmatics, phonetics, phonology, and sociolinguistics are developed on a general and comparative basis and there are also units exploring varieties of English, historical and comparative linguistics, Aboriginal languages, Austronesian languages, discourse analysis, language and identity, psycholinguistics, first and second language acquisition, intercultural communication, endangered languages, multiliteracies in English and the structure of English.

For information on the units required for a major or minor in linguistics, refer to the `Areas of study' section on the Arts faculty website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/.

Linguistics also offers a fourth-year honours program which combines coursework and a 24-point research thesis as the foundation for postgraduate research degrees.

Off-campus learning and online resource delivery

Several linguistics units are offered by off-campus learning or by a combination of online resources and face-to-face teaching contact. These units are usually available in the same semester as the on-campus delivery of the unit. The access to online resources and off-campus learning allows for flexibility, and face-to-face class commitments are kept to a minimum. Alternative arrangements include the use of the Monash portal and electronic group discussion programs. In addition to the online or print resources, students can access tutorial support by telephone, fax and email. The intention is that the flexible learning program should make linguistics units available to students whose work or other commitments make it difficult for them to attend regular classes on-campus. The following units can be undertaken on-campus, or through flexible mode using online resources: LIN1010 (The language game: why do we talk the way we do?), LIN1020 (Describing and analysing language and communication), LIN2/3310 (Semantics: meaning in human languages), LIN2/3330 (Pragmatics strategies for communication), LIN2/3570 (The analysis of discourse: texts, narrative and society).

For more details on flexible learning units, contact the linguistics program or visit the website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/linguistics.

Study abroad

Students may apply to study linguistics abroad. A list of approved universities and units may be obtained from Dr Anna Margetts (email anna.margetts@arts.monash.edu.au or contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics).

Relevant courses

Diploma in Arts (Linguistics)
Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
Bachelor of Arts (English Language)
Bachelor of Arts (Global)
Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
Bachelor of Letters

Contact details

Inquiries (Clayton): Room S423, fourth floor, South Wing, Menzies building; Telephone +61 3 9905 2281 or +61 3 9905 2223; Email lcl.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/schools/lcl/.