羅格斯大學(xué)新伯朗士威校區(qū)

As linguistics major, you will study the structure of language. Language is a complex cognitive and social phenomenon. It is a product of the human mind, yet it requires rich social input in order to be learned properly. Understanding one’s own language is effortless but understanding a foreign language that you’ve never heard before is impossible. How is it that the human mind can turn particular strings of sounds into such a rich stream of information?

The department is a center of work in phonology (specifically, optimality theory), syntax (specifically, generative grammar and the minimalist program), and semantics and pragmatics (specifically, formal theory and interactions with syntax and pragmatics). The linguistics department also has a strong experimental core investigating language acquisition, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and phonetics.

Linguistics is the study of the structure of human language. Students examine the forms and properties of phrases, sentences, sounds, and meanings. The social, cultural, cognitive, and historical facets of human language can also be explored. Students have the opportunity to study aspects of a vast assortment of familiar and unfamiliar languages, both in their own right and in comparison to the structure of English. The Department of Linguistics offers a major and minor in Linguistics, both designed to provide solid training in the core areas of the discipline as well as provide flexibility for individuals who choose to pursue their own specialized interests.

Linguistics is versatile and helps develop skills useful anywhere. Modern work in linguistics has had a profound impact on many fields where language is central: psychology, cognitive science, computer science, philosophy, the study of individual languages, literary theory, and anthropology. Graduates may go on to study linguistics in graduate school, or, because of their training in research, critical thinking, and writing, are also prepared for law school and other professional schools. Additionally, many careers do not require a specific major, but are chosen on the basis of personal interests, skills, preferences, and ambitions. Thus graduates can also pursue careers in business, government, education, and the nonprofit sector. Regardless of your career plans, it is important to develop your marketability through internships, responsible work experience, good grades, and participation in campus activities.