Linguistics is the scientific and systematic study of language.Language is probably unique to human experience, and so it has interested people throughout history. You’ve probably thought about it, too.Linguistics is the discipline that directly addresses what language is, why languages are similar and different, how languages develop, how languages work and how languages are taught and learned.Language involves everything we do every day, so studying what language is and how language works provides insights into everyday life. It is a useful and rewarding subject for anyone who is interested in languages of any kind, including computer and “invented” languages, as well as anyone interested in teaching and learning secondforeign languages.Linguistics is useful in any area in which language and communication are important – and that’s everything.It is particularly useful for language teaching, interpretingtranslation, editing and writing, computer programming and speech therapy.Past linguistics graduates are now government ministry officials, lawyers, editors, copywriters, technical writers, journalists, film directors and producers, translators, interpreters, speech therapists, and lecturers, teachers, and curriculum and materials developers. The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor specifically equips you to teach English abroad and at home in language schools and other non-state institutions.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics

At The University of Otago

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