Linguistics

Effective communication across borders and cultures has never been as crucial as it is today, and the study of Linguistics can help penetrate the boundaries created by language differences. Linguistics students study key elements of communication, from syntax and dialect to nonverbal communication, along with techniques for analyzing, identifying and acquiring languages. This curriculum is supplemented by significant experience in foreign language studies. The Linguistics program combines preparation for a career with a more sophisticated understanding of the world. Students who develop an awareness of languages and literatures are able not only to better understand the world but also to contribute to the global society.

Degrees Offered

A Linguistics student graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics degree. A minor in Linguistics is also available.

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Linguistics at OU

Why Study Lingustics at OU?

Lingustics will help you understant the ins and outs of how languages work.
A degree program in linguistics will help you improve your communication skills.
A degree in linguistics is valuable and sets you up for success in your future career.

Career Opportunities

Government agencies
Colleges and schools
Social service agencies
Peace Corps
Audiologist
Bilingual educator
Speech pathologist
Anthropologist
Interpreter

Courses Offered

LING 2303 General Linguistics
- (Crosslisted with ANTH 2303) Humanistic and formal study of natural languages: how they are similar to, and different from, one anther in their use of speech sounds, logical structures and mechanisms that integrate events, objects and speakers in spatio-temporal contexts. The relationship between language and culture; language acquisition and language change.
LING 3033 Phonetic Description
- Study of the basic principles in forming the phonetic description of human speech. Prerequisite: LING 2303.
LING 3053 Phonology
- Phonology is the study of sound patterns found in human language. Provides a grounding in phonological theory by examining data from several of the world's languages. Covers the phoneme-allophone distinction, distinctive features, feature re-write rules, and a broad sampling of phonological phenomena. Prerequisite: LING 3033.
LING 3353 Syntax
- An introduction to the fundamental concepts of Chomskyan syntax. Includes theory of categories and constituents, basic syntactic relations, case theory, and binding theory. Prerequisite: LING 2303.
LING 4983 Senior Essay
- Development of a research paper which relates the linguistics major coursework to general knowledge. Prerequisite: LING 3053 and 3353 and senior standing.