What Is Linguistics?

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, an in-demand field in the globalized world.

See Linguistics Minor details below.

Why Study Linguistics?

Language is

• an essential aspect of humanity and diversity
• a fundamental part of culture, identity, discrimination, politics, human rights, and more
• a coherent, dynamic system that changes in response to society and over time

Critical awareness of how language works in the world we live in is necessary for solving the challenges that we face.

Language as a singularly human element is fundamental to our societies and our humanity. In the Linguistics minor you will learn about how language affects all aspects of society and social relations. You will also learn about language itself as a coherent yet dynamic system that changes over time in response to its social environment.

Since language underpins how we interact and how we see ourselves and, critical linguistic study is key to understanding the world we live in and the human and ethical challenges we face.

Linguistics is an in-demand field for employers since language and communication are fundamental to all industries – a trend that is only growing with technology and globalization.