Department of Linguistics and Communication Disorders at Queens College

WHAT IS LINGUISTICS?

Linguistics is the study of the properties common to all the world's languages as well as the unique features of individual languages.  Linguists study the principles underlying the sounds (phonetics/phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax), meaning (semantics), social functions and use (pragmatics) of human languages.  In addition, linguists are interested in areas such as language change, dialect variation, bilingualism, language acquisition, psycholinguistics, literacy and teaching English to speakers of other languages.

The linguistics student learns how to solve practical language problems and investigates specific questions such as:

  • Are some languages better than others?
  • In what ways are all languages the same? How do languages differ?
  • How are second and foreign languages learned? What makes a foreign accent 'foreign'?
  • Do bilinguals change personalities when they switch languages?
  • How is a word born? How does it die? Can two words mean exactly the same thing?
  • What is slang, and why do people use it?
  • Do children have to be taught to talk? Should parents correct their children when they make mistakes in speaking?
  • Does American Sign Language have morphology and syntax like other natural languages?
  • How do governments foster (or discourage) the use of specific languages and dialects?
  • Do men and women speak differently?
  • What is a standard language?  What is a dialect? Is Ebonics a dialect, a language, or something else?
  • Is it easier to learn some languages than others?
  • How can computers be programmed to understand and produce language? Can computers learn human languages?  Can apes?
  • How is language represented in the brain?

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH LINGUISTICS?

There are two majors in linguistics at Queens College and each provides you with a variety of professional opportunities:

The major in General Linguistics offers a strong liberal arts background that prepares you for different kinds of work in the public or private sector. This major can give you an edge in information technology, where people with a background in linguistics are very much in demand. The General Linguistics major prepares you for work in:

  • Computer Technology and Software Design
  • Instructional Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Test Development and Preparation
  • Translation and Interpreting
  • International Business

In addition, many General Linguistics majors go on to do graduate work in Linguistics, as well as in:

  • Law
  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Education
  • Cognitive Science
  • Neuroscience
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology

The major in Applied Linguistics prepares you for a career in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) in the US and abroad.

With the enormous demand for TESOL professionals, our graduates obtain secure jobs in public and private schools in and around New York. In fact, you can receive Initial New York State Certification and qualify for a New York City ESOL teaching license for all grades immediately upon graduation.  You can also teach English in schools and adult community education programs throughout the US and around the world.

WHERE CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS?

Come see us at...

Queens College
Department of Linguistics and Communication Disorders
Kissena Hall, Room 347
tel: (718) 997-2870
fax: (718) 997-2873