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Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the School of Linguistics and Language Studies (originally the Department of Linguistics, est. 1969)
New! Our 2009 external reviewers
(from the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary) agree -
Carleton University's School of
Linguistics and Language Studies
offers more
intellectual diversity
with respect to the
nature of language
and its use
than can be found in almost
any other single
administrative unit
in North America.
Welcome to Carleton University's School of Linguistics and Language Studies, the place on campus for all things LANGUAGE: world-class language instruction in Modern Languages and English as a Second Language, advanced Communication Courses for Disciplines and Professions, and in-depth studies on the nature of language, language use, and language teaching and learning. Members of our school share a fascination and passion for LANGUAGE, and if you do too, this is the place for you.
Our language instructors are dedicated professionals who offer courses in American Sign Language, Chinese (Mandarin), German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish, as well as in English as a Second Language for students whose first language is not English. Our instructors offering Communication Courses for Disciplines and Professions help students in specific disciplines develop advanced communication abilities necessary to succeed academically and professionally in those disciplines.
Our researchers in linguistics and language in use study language in order to understand universals governing its general structure, how individual languages conform to this general structure, how they vary and change, how they are used (in written and verbal forms) in various contexts, and how they are acquired or learned. Linguists believe that an objective study of language and language use will lead to a greater understanding of the human mind, and of human communicative action and relations.
Students of Linguistics begin their studies by learning how to analyse languages - their sounds (phonetics and phonology), their ways of forming words (morphology), their sentence structures (syntax), and their systems of expressing meaning (semantics). Students of Applied Language Studies learn how language succeeds (or does not succeed) in conveying meaning in specific contexts. They examine how language is used in academia and in the workplace, and how it reinforces or can change power relations, gender relationships, and sociopolitical movements.
No matter their particular focus, our students develop skills in analysis, logical reasoning, and written and verbal expression -- skills necessary to be successful in today's highly competitive job market. Students learn to apply the results of their studies to real-world issues, and they achieve a well developed understanding of the human mind and the human condition. Employers of all stripes value the skills our students acquire.
A degree in linguistics can lead to work in natural language processing by computers or in the development of natural language text or speech interfaces to computer technology. Students in our applied programs can learn about teaching and learning languages (English as a Second Language (ESL) or other languages) and go on to work at interesting and rewarding jobs, often including the benefits of world travel. They can also learn about language use in particular discourse communities (e.g. teachers, students, bankers, professional engineers, practicing architects, government policy-makers, etc.). Students with these backgrounds prove valued assets to a variety of employers whose success depends on highly effective professional communication.
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