Writing & Linguistics Department
Linguistics
Concentration
B.A. in Writing
and Linguistics
Linguistics, what is it?
Linguistics is the study of human language. Linguists are interested in uncovering the knowledge that underlies the use, the production and the understanding of language in individuals and in human society.
What can it offer me?
Students trained in Linguistics acquire superior thinking, analyzing, observing, and problem-solving skills. They are good at gathering information, seeing connections, working independently, and writing and thinking coherently.
Is Linguistics Right for me?
Students find Linguistics attractive for several reasons:
- Some have always enjoyed studying English or foreign languages and want the challenge of understanding intricacies of linguistic structure and language usage
- Some are intrigued by the message of linguistics that all human languages and dialects are equally worthy of study, even though some speech varieties may be stigmatized by certain groups in society
- Some like to play with words and solve puzzles so that they are fascinated by the fundamental question of how language is accomplished by the human mind
- Some enjoy science and are pleasantly surprised that a science approach to language offers a rewarding window to human behavior
Future Graduates & Job Opportunities
Graduates with Linguistics training work in a wide range of attractive professions in information technology, business, publishing, research and education. Linguists work to make computers understand and respond to human language, for example in developing speech recognition and speaker verification systems, and designing data mining applications such as weeding out unsolicited email. They develop successful company and product names such as Pentium and help to design marketing solutions. Linguists contribute to making dictionaries, and they take up careers as readers, writers and editors in the publishing industry. Linguists are skilled at explaining and understanding language and linguistic interaction in society, opening up many career paths in education. As language experts, linguists are employed to create and review standardized tests of verbal skills. Training in linguistics is also a great advantage for a wide range of pre-professional studies including speech therapy and law.
For more information:
Dr. Thomas Klein
tklein@georgiasouthern.edu
(912) 478-0986
Dr. Frank Arasanyin
sany@georgiasouthern.edu
(912) 478-7749
Dr. Martha Pennington
mcpennington@georgiasouthern.edu
(912) 478-1326