Linguistics

Linguistics is the study of language, its structure and use. It provides tools 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, and multilingualism, 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 level 1 units will introduce 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).

In later years, these areas are developed further and options are available to investigate 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.

Students who major in linguistics are encouraged to gain the experience of learning a language other than their first language either though a major or minor. You may also apply to study linguistics overseas.

Availability

Linguistics is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts and 0202 Bachelor of Letters at Clayton as a major or minor, and A0502 Diploma of Liberal Arts at Clayton as a major.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:

• use the key tools of linguistic analysis to explore the structures of spoken and written texts in familiar and unfamiliar languages
• apply linguistic knowledge to problems in the world including the role of language in social processes and effective communication across cultures.