Linguistics & Languages

Bachelor of Arts

(Faculty of Arts)

Linguistics is the scientific study of language as a universal human phenomenon. Linguists investigate the structure of language, its relationship to other systems of communication, how children and adults acquire language, language in its social context, the causes and effects of language change, and universal properties of language. The Department of Linguistics emphasizes theoretical linguistics; we explore what it means to know, learn and use a language in order to better understand the structure of human language and the properties that define human language ability.

Linguistics students are given the opportunity to analyze the structure of various languages and apply this knowledge in a variety of sub-fields and languages. Linguistics includes the following sub-categories: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, historical linguistics and language acquisition. Students in linguistics learn about different levels of language structure as they work with linguistic theory and data from a variety of languages. They also learn how languages evolve, how they are grouped, and how people acquire language. Students with a linguistics major may also declare a concentration in either Applied Linguistics or Speech-Language Sciences.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission applicants are required to present appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.

Application/Document Deadlines  

Why take this program?

• Love of language: Linguistics provides an essential foundation for work in language learning and teaching, research, translation, and general education. Linguists are active in community language programs (such as developing literacy materials for native peoples, or working with school boards) and help design as well as participate in programs teaching English and other languages to students of different ages and backgrounds. If you love languages and enjoy working with people, the Linguistics program can help you build a rewarding and fulfilling career!


• Words to live by: The Linguistics program can open your eyes to the world’s cultural and linguistic diversity. There are approximately 4,000 languages in the world today, and many are in danger of disappearing completely in the near future. Linguists have a unique opportunity to study these languages, discover cultural values and beliefs through their structures, and gain insight into the wide range of human experience around the world. In an increasingly globalized world, people need to develop greater cultural awareness to effectively participate and interact with other groups in various political, cultural, and economic spheres.


• Generally speaking: A linguistics background can help you along your career path by giving you the skills and knowledge to meet a wide variety of job challenges. Strengths in speech and writing, combined with skills in problem solving and data analysis, allow linguistics graduates the flexibility to pursue employment in diverse areas involving communication or personal interaction. Given the reality of many careers today, a Linguistics degree provides individuals with the tools to stay competitive in a rapidly changing job market and the confidence to take their careers in new and exciting directions.


• Honours: The Honours degree is designed to prepare students for graduate work in Linguistics or a realated field (such as speech pathology). As such, Honours students need a broader range of skills than in the B.A. program. Students who are trying to decide whether they would like to enroll in a graduate degree should consider the Honours program. One of the requirements is the writing of an Honours Thesis. This endeavor gives the students a taste of what it would be like to prodice an M.A. theiss. They also have the opportunity to work closely with a professor (their supervisor). Among other things, such interaction is likely to be beneficial when it comes to getting letters of reference for admission to graduate school, as the supervisor will gain greater knowledge of the student’s abilities.


• Co-op: Get a competitive edge when you enter the workforce after graduation with our Co-operative Education program. This combines 4-8 month work terms with your studies in History. Co-op is a great way for you to gain work experience before you graduate, and gain valuable contacts in your industry of choice. Students in English are highly valued for their communication, analytical research and other transferable skills in many industries. For more information on Co-op, visit our Co-op and Internship website.

What will I study in my first year?

All first-year Linguistics students take Linguistics 201, Introduction to Linguistics I, a survey of basic linguistics concepts, including: universals of language; articulatory phonetics; and phonology of English and other languages; words and meaning; linguistic rules and the formation of sentences. Students should also take Linguistics 203, Introduction to Linguistics II, which studies language in historical and social contexts: writing systems; language change; language families and areas; elements of sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics; Canadian bilingualism. It is also suggested that first-year students take Anthropology 201 and Psychology 205 or 201.

What will I study in later years?

All students are required to take experiential and formal methods classes. Outside of this requirement, students can choose to concentrate their focus their study on the topics of Applied Linguistics or Speech-Language Sciences.

What can I do with this degree? (Courtesy of Career Services)

Linguistics graduates have a number of marketable skills, including: data and problem analysis, research and analytical skills, cross-disciplinary understandings, creative-thinking skills, and an ability to process the generating of new knowledge. The Linguistics program prepares students for careers in both traditional and non-traditional fields.

Possible careers include:

• Audiologist
• Child Development Facilitator
• Closed Caption Technician
• Dialect Coach
• Forensic Linguist
• Lexicographer
• Linguist
• Neurolinguist
• Speech Pathologist
• Therapist for Children with Autism
• Voice Coach

For a more comprehensive list of careers, visit the Career Services website or click here for the Linguistics careers PDF.

Additional Information

Department of Linguistics