English: Linguistics

About this opportunity

Overview

Linguistics is the study of the nature, structure, and use of language, which includes the following areas: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics. The Linguistics & Applied Linguistics area of the Department of English offers the following programs:

• English (Linguistics) Major
• English (Linguistics) Minor
• Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

The English (Linguistics) Major offers two pathways to Accelerated Masters Degree programs (formerly known as 4+1):

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, MTESOL
• Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, MA

Faculty

Faculty in linguistics and applied linguistics / TESOL at ASU are internationally recognized scholars who hold leadership and editorial posts at major international presses, journals, and societies. With expertise spanning linguistics, applied linguistics and second language learning and teaching, their scholarship and teaching specialties include forensic linguistics, endangered language documentation and preservation, phonetics, syntax, learning transfer, sociolinguistics, emotion in learning, and language history. They are active field researchers and their findings appear in top scientific and humanities journals. They publish books on linguistic theory and teaching and on language change and cultural contexts. View a list of faculty here. 

Thesis

Topics and Format

A thesis project in Linguistics may address nearly any facet of language structure and/or use, and it may (though it is not required to) intersect with one or more neighboring disciplines, including anthropology, computer science, education, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and others. An honors thesis project in Linguistics can take various forms and will be decided by the student in direct consultation with the faculty member who will supervise the thesis project. The finished product is often between 30 and 50 pages of expository text, although different topics may warrant different formats. Past projects can be found in the Digital Repository of past Barrett theses and projects, though students are free to develop topics outside of these areas in consultation with their thesis/creative project director.

Committee structure

The requirements for Linguistics thesis project committees are governed by current Barrett policies. A committee consists of at least two people: a Director, who may be any member of ASU faculty with professional expertise in the project area, and a Second Committee Member, who may be any member of the ASU faculty/staff or a qualified local professional with expertise/experience with the project area. An individual faculty member serving as the thesis project director may have stricter requirements for other committee members, and students must consult with their director before forming a committee. Linguistics faculty in the English Department are also often willing to serve as a second (or third) committee member on topics that deal with language and linguistics even when the director is part of a different unit.

Academic Preparation

It can be beneficial if a student has already taken at least one ENG 414: Studies in Linguistics or ENG 404: Studies in Second Language Acquisition course by the time they approach a potential thesis/creative project supervisor, since these courses typically offer students experience with research and writing. We also acknowledge that an honors thesis project is a learning experience in itself, so students will develop skills and knowledge in the process of carrying out the project.

Recommended Timeline

Students should follow Barrett guidelines for meeting thesis milestones. A committee is formed and the prospectus is submitted by the end of the junior year. The thesis work typically spans the fall and spring semester of a student's senior year (if graduating in spring).

Other Honors Opportunities

Honors Enrichment Contracts

Honors enrichment contracts are typically available in courses taught by regular full-time linguistics faculty in the English Department. Students interested in earning honors credit this way should contact the course instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Internships

The Department of English connects students with a variety of internship opportunities on and off campus.

Additional resources for linguistics:

General information

• What is linguistics?
• Why major in linguistics?

Professional associations

• American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
• Linguistic Society of America (LSA) 
• Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Information on conferences, jobs, degree programs, and much more

• The LINGUIST List