By combining courses from these areas, the program offers traditional approaches to linguistics, as well as those that focus on the social effects of language use. We seek both to describe language patterns and to explain the way those patterns exert an influence on human thought and action.As researchers and teachers, we are engaged in thinking about language in all its diversity.?Our work is comparative, seeking to establish what is universal as well as what is distinct about local languages.

The ability to execute fine-grained research on language is increasingly sought for a variety of careers, including politics, the media, the arts, research, international development, health care, education and business.

The Linguistics?program is offered at George Washington University.