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Major & Minor
We offer degrees in Linguistics as well as many research opportunities for undergraduates
Graduate Studies
Information on our cross-disciplinary PhD program and our three MA programs.
Research
Our research investigates the structure, complexity and diversity of human languages.
Feature Story
A new publication by Nadine Grimm, assistant professor of linguistics, will soon be available
"A grammar of Gyeli" is a grammatical description of the Ngòló variety of Gyeli, an endangered Bantu (A80) language spoken by 4,000-5,000 "Pygmy" hunter-gatherers in southern Cameroon. It represents one of the most comprehensive descriptions of a northwestern Bantu language. In 2019, the grammar received the Pāṇini Award by the Association for Linguistic Typology.
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Why Linguistics?
Linguistics training provides students with skills that are important in a rapidly changing society. They learn how to use analytic and theoretical tools, work in collaborative environments, and collect, document, and organize complex research data on human language. They also gain a deep appreciation and understanding of the value of a culturally and linguistically diverse environment.
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Fall 2020 Featured Course
LING 204/404
History of Linguistic Thought
Instructor: Professor Ash Asudeh
Day, time: Mondays/Wednesdays, 3:25-4:40 p.m.
This course delves into core linguistic ideas throughout history, examining how different cultures and periods have regarded language.
Fall 2020 Featured Course
LING 270/470
Preserving diversity in language and culture
Instructor: Professor Nadine Grimm
Day, time: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Are you interested in fieldwork, research with communities, and methodology in fieldwork data collection and management? LING 270/470 may be just the class you're looking for! This interdisciplinary class is designed for any student in the humanities and social sciences with an interest in spoken language data and how to make it useful outside of their own discipline.
Center for Language Sciences
The Center for Language Sciences (CLS) is an umbrella organization at the University of Rochester that brings together faculty, postdocs, and graduate students who conduct research on any aspect of human language as a vehicle for active interdisciplinary work.
CLS fosters research and activities that reach across a very broad group of disciplines covering a wide research focus and range of interests. It's a continually evolving organization with a history of serving as a platform for training students and postdocs in interdisciplinary research and enhancing collaborations among members.
Learn More About CLSWant more information about the Department of Linguistics? Contact us.