• Students of linguistics examine the structure, use, acquisition, and development of the languages of the world. We aim to identify both those elements that are common to all human languages (spoken and signed) and the ways in which languages and dialects can differ from one another. Courses in phonetics and phonology reveal the sound patterns of language. Morphology studies the composition of words. Syntax, semantics, and pragmatics focus on how phrases are put together and how “meaning” is communicated. Historical linguistics examines the evolution of linguistic systems over time. Sociolinguistics considers the relationship of language form and social factors such as gender, race, and region. Acquisition investigates the learning of language from birth into adulthood.
  • The major offers the flexibility to enable students to study two foreign languages of their choosing, to pursue their own interests within linguistics, and to explore interdisciplinary connections. The vibrant linguistics community in the Boston/Cambridge area affords the opportunity for students to attend lectures and conferences and participate in other local linguistics events.
  • An undergraduate degree in linguistics offers excellent training for a wide variety of careers, including translation, interpreting, teaching, publishing, national security, international affairs, forensics, or medicine, and for graduate study in linguistics or related fields (such as anthropology, law, philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, computer science, or speech and hearing sciences).