专业描述

Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is the study of linguistic forms, and the study of the meanings and significance that attach to these forms. In studying form, we begin with language sounds and sound systems, and from there go on to look at word formation and at how words are combined into larger phrases. The study of meaning includes investigation of the literal meanings of words, and how these combine to give sentence meaning. But linguists also investigate the ways in which speakers can use sentences to say more than the sentence literally means. Linguists also investigate how language is used to argue, persuade, and otherwise influence members of one's speech community, and how language itself creates community, providing a means for expression not only of content but also of identity. By studying variation in language, linguists come to understand how identities are encoded and revealed in language use, while also finding clues as to how languages change. The study of language change allows linguists to investigate how seemingly distinct languages are related through time. Language also poses significant cognitive questions. The cognitive and psychological processes underlying language learning and language use are of great current interest to scientists and educators. Linguistics as practiced today is a surprisingly young field, with many areas of investigation little more than a hundred years old. Perhaps this reflects the ubiquity of language in life, and the difficulty of perceiving the medium that surrounds us. In any event, the relative newness of the field makes for exciting learning possibilities for students. The linguistics program at CMU reflects this newness, and provides for such possibilities. Being interdepartmental, the program covers the more traditional areas in linguistics as well as developing areas of research. Core courses cover sound, structure, and meaning. Breadth courses cover language learning, development, and use. Electives cover many of the same areas, but typically with greater specialization and in some cases with an eye towards technological implementation. Electives also offer the chance to study the structures or social context of particular languages in greater depth. The primary departments offering courses in the linguistics program include Philosophy (where the program is housed), Modern Languages, English, Psychology, and the Language Technologies Institute which is part of the School of Computer Science at CMU. Students have access to professors and researchers across all these departments through the courses they take in fulfilling the major or minor. They have exposure to first-hand research, and even have opportunities to make contributions of their own. The Linguistics Program supports both a Major (primary or additional) and a Minor in Linguistics. The Major and Minor are appropriate for students with a wide range of language related interests. Students with an interest in diverse languages and cultures benefit greatly from the study of linguistics. A Major in Linguistics combines well with any of the Majors offered in the Department of Modern Languages. Similarly, students with an interest in cognition and language will find that linguistics courses provide important background. The Linguistics Major thus combines naturally with a Major in Psychology or Cognitive Science. Students in Creative or Professional writing can gain important insight into language structure and use through Linguistics courses. And Linguistics is also a natural fit with computer science, where Language Technologies is an expanding field. Besides these relatively obvious areas, however, new connections are being discovered all the time between linguistics and other fields, a point that goes back to the ubiquity of language in human life. Students in the CMU linguistics major and minor are encouraged to make such connections themselves and even to explore new areas where inter-disciplinary work is possible. For more detailed information about the Linguistics program and our courses, please explore the links to the left.