Undergraduate - Area of study Linguistics

Linguistics is the study of language, its structure and use. It provides the techniques and principles for the analysis and description of any given language, and examines how languages differ and what they have in common. Through linguistic analysis we explore identity construction, social and cultural organisation, variation and change, multilingualism, institutions and power, as well as language patterns in texts and discourses. Knowledge of linguistics is central to the study of languages and is a valuable adjunct to studies in anthropology, education, philosophy, sociology, psychology, law, translation studies and computer science.

The first-year gateway units provide an introduction to the nature of language, including phonetics (the production and representation of speech sounds), phonology (the organisation of sounds in a language), morphology (the structures of words), syntax (the organisation of words in sentences), semantics and pragmatics (the analysis of meaning), historical linguistics (language change) and sociolinguistics (language variation and use).

At second and third-year levels, the areas are developed further, there are also units investigating Aboriginal languages, Austronesian languages, discourse analysis, language and identity, language change, psycholinguistics, first and second language acquisition, intercultural communication, endangered languages, literacies and the structure of English.

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

Some units can be taken through flexible mode using online resources. Students may also apply to study linguistics abroad.

Students who major in linguistics are also encouraged to gain the experience of learning a language other than their first language.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the major, students will be able to:

• use the key tools of linguistics analysis to explore the phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and discourse structures of spoken and written texts
• transcribe and analyse language data
• analyse data from unfamiliar languages
• describe the key processes of language contact and change, including language endangerment, and the historical development of modern languages
• analyse the role of language in social interaction, and the relationship between language, society, identity and culture
• communicate more effectively across cultures
• critically evaluate public discourse on language, using linguistic skills and knowledge
• bring a strong foundation in linguistic knowledge and analytic skills (phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, lexical, semantic, pragmatic and discourse) to further training in language-related professions
• apply linguistic knowledge and analytic skills to understanding literature and the acquisition of a first or second language
• work in teams or individually to conduct independent research using discipline-specific skills and knowledge
• write academically informed and evidence-based responses to theoretical and practical problems.