Think language, think Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific and systematic study of language.
Language is probably unique to human experience, and so it has interested people throughout history. You’ve probably thought about it, too.
Have you ever wondered why languages are similar and different, how they develop, why people misunderstand each other or what is the best way to learn another language?
Linguistics is about finding answers to those questions. All you need to study linguistics is your curiosity!
What is linguistics?
Linguistics is the discipline that directly addresses what language is, why languages are similar and different, how languages develop, how languages work and how languages are taught and learned.
Why study linguistics?
Language involves everything we do every day, so studying what language is and how language works provides insights into everyday life. It is a useful and rewarding subject for anyone who is interested in languages of any kind, including computer and “invented” languages, as well as anyone interested in teaching and learning second/foreign languages.
Linguistics complements other disciplines in the arts, such as English, communication studies, sociology, anthropology, education, languages and law, and other disciplines in the sciences, such as psychology, neuroscience, computer and information science, and maths.
You will be taught how to identify and provide analyses of linguistic phenomena and how to construct and justify arguments for particular analyses.
Although many students of Linguistics study another language, Linguistics at Otago does not assume any prior knowledge of linguistics or of any languages other than English.
Careers for Linguistics graduates
Linguistics is useful in any area in which language and communication are important – and that’s everything!
It is particularly useful for language teaching, interpreting/translation, editing and writing, computer programming and speech therapy.
Past linguistics graduates are now government ministry officials, lawyers, editors, copywriters, technical writers, journalists, film directors and producers, translators, interpreters, speech therapists, and lecturers, teachers, and curriculum and materials developers.
The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor specifically equips you to teach English abroad and at home in language schools and other non-state institutions.
Linguistics at Otago
The Linguistics staff members at Otago teach and research a variety of areas you can learn, including:
- phonetics and phonology (the study of speech sounds and systems)
- morphology and syntax (the study of word and sentence structures)
- semantics and pragmatics (the study of meaning and use)
- linguistic typology (the study of language comparison and classification)
- discourse and narrative analysis
- teaching English (TESOL) or other second languages
- child first and adult second language development
- family language policy and heritage language learning
- pragmatics in second language teaching and learning
- field linguistics (the study of little-known languages through primary data collection)
- psycholinguistics (the study of language processing in the brain).
Learning Linguistics
Linguistics is a small, friendly programme. We get to know our students and our students get to know each other.
Many papers have activities that enable students to collaboratively explore their ideas and communicate their learning, and students have consistently ranked Linguistics very highly for teamwork.
Students develop critical thinking and communication skills by working with linguistic data and concepts to identify underlying language patterns, evaluate and justify linguistic arguments and analyse conversational choices.
Individual and collaborative assessments involve planning, researching and presenting skills that are necessary in most workplaces.
TESOL classes address instructed language learning and develop language teaching practices.
Degree options
At the undergraduate level, this work can lead to a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Linguistics, English and Linguistics, or Language and Linguistics, or a BASc (Bachelor of Arts and Science) or BACom (Bachelor of Arts and Commerce). It also offers a minor in Linguistics and a minor in teaching English as a second language.
The Linguistics Programme offers a full undergraduate programme, honours, MA and PhD, and also and a Graduate Diploma in Second Language Teaching, with a view to meeting the demand for teachers of English in New Zealand and overseas.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Linguistics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | LING 111 Language and its Structure One of GLBL 101 Introduction to Intercultural Communication or any 100-level paper in Chinese, English (excluding ENGL 126), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, linguistics, Māori Language (MAOR 110, MAOR 111, MAOR 112), Sanskrit or Spanish | 18 18 |
| 200-level | LING 217 What's Behind Language: Sound and Structure At least two further 200-level LING papers, one of which may be substituted with DHUM 201 Digital Humanities: Method and Critique | 18 36 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level LING papers | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Note: Students majoring in Linguistics are not able to take the TESOL minor subject.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Linguistics
| Papers |
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Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Linguistics
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Linguistics is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Linguistics
| Papers |
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Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Linguistics
| Thesis |
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Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Linguistics or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Linguistics must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Linguistics prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Minor subject requirements
Linguistics as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | LING 111 Language and Its Structure One of GLBL 101 Introduction to Intercultural Communication or any 100-level paper in Chinese, English (excluding ENGL 126), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, linguistics, Māori Language (MAOR 110, MAOR 111, MAOR 112), Sanskrit or Spanish | 18 18 |
| 200-level | LING 217 What's Behind Language: Sound and Structure One further 200-level LING paper (excluding LING 231 TESOL: Guide to Language Teaching) | 18 18 |
| 300-level | Any 300-level LING paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
Key information for future students
Contact us
School of Arts
English and Linguistics Programme
Email english@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/linguistics
