©subject centre for languages, linguistics and area studiestalk about linguistics

talk about linguistics©Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies

talk about linguistics


What do students say about why they chose linguistics?

“I chose to study Linguistics primarily because I studied English Language at A-level and found the subject much more interesting, relevant, applicable and recent than my other options.”


What do students say about why they chose linguistics?“I assumed I would continue with one of my A-level subjects until I happened to read an article about Linguistics in a career magazine. I was certain that this was my course. It sounds crazy to start a new subject at degree level, but this has made me feel more enthusiastic about my studies…”


What do students say about combining linguistics with another subject?

“I would encourage all language students to opt for at least one linguistics module throughout their university career, as it ties together aspects of language history, society and cognition. The study of linguistics also often complements the content matter of grammar lectures undertaken by language students throughout their time at university, which I found to be beneficial to my studies too.” Modern languages student


What do students say about their experience of learning linguistics?

“I had never studied linguistics before and I was initially very nervous…In fact, I’ve enjoyed my time here so much that I’m planning to extend my stay for another year.”


What do students say about their experience of learning linguistics?“I believe that I acquired valuable intellectual skills: analytic reasoning and argumentation. Linguistics students learn how to study language scientifically — this means making observations, formulating and testing hypotheses, making arguments, drawing conclusions, and presenting findings, which are very intriguing.”


What do students say about their linguistics course?

“I have thoroughly enjoyed almost all of the courses I have taken. The staff have been brilliant and the facilities great. Most of all, I have grown so much in confidence during the past three years and have been endowed with a desire to keep on studying within a closely related subject area.”


What do students say about their linguistics course?

“In my opinion, the linguistics course is a fascinating one.”


What do students say about English language?

“I had always wondered how humans acquire language and moreover, how they use that knowledge in terms of communication.”


What do students say about their future after studying linguistics?

“When I complete my studies … I know I will be well equipped to enter the job market, or to continue my studies at a higher level.”


What do students say about their future after studying linguistics?

“My study provoked something of an ‘awakening’ ― linguistically, culturally, politically and in terms of convincing me that I wanted to pursue a career in university research and teaching… My studies are not limited to linguistics but include related aspects such as politics, history, sociology and social psychology ― it never gets too monotonous or predictable.”


What do other people say about how linguistics has influenced them?“Linguistics remains a pet topic for me ― and it comes in handy when picking up a foreign language.”

“Linguistics provides vital clues to our prehistory, in terms of movements of peoples. I'm no expert, but this is fascinating stuff, and as important in its own way as any other of the sciences or humanities we study.”


Some Linguistics graduates are even famous!

J.R.R. Tolkien ― the man who wrote Lord of the Rings

Sally Phillips (comic actress ― Green Wing) got a first from New College, Oxford in Linguistics

Jung Chang ― author of Wild Swans

Paul Smith, lead singer of British band Maximo Park, studied art history and linguistics at Newcastle University because he “liked the impact of words”


Some Linguistics graduates are even famous!

Alistair Cooke (Letter from America, Radio 4) studied English at Cambridge

Beverley Aspinall, MD of Fortnum and Mason, studied Linguistics at York University

Comedian Rory McGrath studied French, Spanish and Linguistics at Cambridge


Some linguists have made a major contribution to society

Noam ChomskyHis theories of generative grammar

revolutionized the entire discipline of linguistics, but he is perhaps more famous for his radical political writings.

J.R.R TolkienContributed to the Oxford English

Dictionary and to the translation of the Jerusalem Bible.


Some linguists have made a major contribution to society

Jacob GrimmWith his brother wrote fairy tales and is

one of the main founders of modern linguistics

Alexander Graham BellInvented the telephone and revolutionised

the lives of hearing-impaired people through his scientific discoveries


And some have made an important contribution to Linguistics itself!Jacob Grimm

(known for authoring fairy tales) – Grimm’s Law (1822) principle of consonantal shifts in pronunciation

Ferdinand de Saussuremodern structural linguistics

Edward Sapirthe relations between language studies and anthropology


And some have made an important contribution to Linguistics itself!Noam Chomsky

transformational-generative grammarMichael Halliday

systemic functional grammar Dell Hymes

the Ethnography of Speaking George Lakoff

cognitive linguistics

©subject centre for languages, linguistics and area studiestalk about linguistics

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