BA (Hons)

Linguistics

3 good reasons to study Linguistics at Salford:

Become a language specialist and develop a high-level understanding of how language works while acquiring the transferable knowledge and skills most valued by employers in today’s job market. No prior knowledge of linguistics or foreign languages is required.
Learn from a dedicated team of internationally recognized researchers with an excellent track record in research-led teaching and student support.
The flexibility of our degree programme allows you to follow your own interests and study linguistics alongside English language, language teaching methodology, and/or a modern foreign language.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language.

You will learn how to analyse language from different perspectives, how languages vary across speakers and geographic regions, how language influences the way in which we interact with others and think about the world, and how people use language in context.

Because language is at the heart of most human activities, becoming a language specialist will give you the transferable knowledge and skills most valued by employers in today’s job market.

Course details

This exciting new degree programme encompasses the breadth of the discipline.
All of our modules are taught by experts in specific areas of linguistics.
Our curriculum will prepare you to evaluate theory, to identify patterns in data, and to critically analyse evidence and arguments. You will also acquire key skills for employability in research methodologies, information technology, critical thinking, and written and oral communication.
Our range of advanced and optional modules will allow you to explore particular areas of interest, including (but not limited to) English linguistics, language teaching methodology, and/or a modern foreign language. After your second year, you will have the opportunity to spend a year in an EU partner institution in an Erasmus exchange.

Course Structure

Year 1

Structure of English

Taking a descriptive approach to the grammar of English, this module gives you a grounding in how to describe some of the most important grammatical features of the language. You will learn how to identify and classify grammatical categories and functions, and how to analyse the structure of phrases and sentences.

Methodology in Linguistics

This module introduces you to the methodologies of linguistics and language analysis. You will be introduced to different types of linguistic evidence, the techniques of linguistic analysis, and to the conventions used for presentation of data and analyses in linguistics. Classes are interactive and include a variety of activities to help you practise new skills.

Sounds of Language

This module introduces you to the sounds of speech, syllable structure and word stress, as applied to English. You will learn how to describe and classify consonants and vowels, transcribe speech sounds, and identify and analyse syllable structure and word stress.

Language, Mind and Society

This module introduces you to language as a social and cognitive phenomenon. You will examine the complex relationship between language and society as well as children's language development and their socialisation into their linguistic communities.

Analysing Words and Sentences

What are the 'building blocks' of language? Following on from Structure of English, this module explores the structure and internal organisation of English and other languages in greater depth. You will gain practical experience in analysing words, phrases, and sentences.

Meaning in Language

This module will introduce you to the study of meaning in language and its role in communication. It addresses such questions as why some sentences can be interpreted in more than one way, and how context affects the way in which sentences are understood.

Year 2

120 credits from the following:

Syntax

This module will give you a solid theoretical and practical knowledge of how languages are systematically alike and different in their basic sentence structure. Drawing on data from English and other languages you will gain practical experience in forming and testing linguistic hypotheses and rules.

Sociolinguistics

In this module you will examine different approaches to studying language variation and change. You will examine different outcomes of language contact situations, and discuss how the growing recognition of the complex nature of socioeconomic class, ethnicity, age and gender has triggered important shifts in variationist research design and analysis.

Phonology

In this module you will develop an understanding of how the sound systems of English and other languages are structured, as well as how and why they may differ from one another other.

Semantics

Communication is possible because languages are meaningful. This module looks at key aspects of meaning in language, such as the interpretation of nouns, verbs, and adjectives in English and other languages, and how the literal meaning of complex expressions can be predicted from the literal meanings of their parts and the way in which they are combined.

Corpus Approaches to Language

This module introduces you to the idea and uses of a corpus – a collection of texts, stored on computer, and sampled to represent different types or varieties of a language. Because a corpus can be easily searched by computer, it offers a unique way of exploring language as it is actually used – which doesn’t always match our predictions, or even previous research.

Key Concepts and Skills in TESOL

You will be introduced to key concepts underlying TESOL methodology (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and become familiar with the basic approaches, materials and procedures and the principles of lesson planning and classroom management.

University-Wide Language Programme (UWLP)

You have the option to study a modern foreign language through the UWLP, which is practical in content and available at four levels (stages): Stage 1 (complete beginner), Stage 2 (Grade A*-C at GCSE), Stage 3 (Grade C or below at AS level), Stage 4 (Grade D or below at A2 level). The lower stages help you cope with everyday situations abroad or when dealing with visitors to this country, and the higher stages enable you to use the language in more professional contexts.Available options include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese.

Year 3

120 credits from the following:

Current Approaches to Linguistics

This module looks at some of the most important current approaches to the study of language, including some of the alternative theoretical frameworks and types of evidence used in contemporary linguistics.

Pragmatics and Cognition

In this module you will gain an understanding of aspects of linguistic communication which result from the interaction of linguistic meaning, context, and principles of human cognition. You will study some of the current theoretical frameworks which aim to explain how utterances are interpreted in context, and apply them in the analysis of data drawn from your own experience in communication.

Child Language Development

Babies are not born talking, they learn language, starting immediately from birth. What exactly do they learn? How does this process take place? When do children master the skills needed for successful communication? What stages do children go through as they learn to understand and talk? In this module you will be able to address these questions by taking a close look at the cognitive mechanisms by which children acquire their first language.

Morphology

Languages appear to have a limitless capacity for describing new concepts by resorting to a limited number of word formation processes. When a new verb, adjective or noun is introduced into a language, speakers know instinctively how to use the correct word form. In this module you will examine processes of word formation and the rules governing the internal structure of words.

Researching Sociolinguistic Variation

In this module you will learn how to carry out a quantitative study of linguistic variation and change. You will go through all the steps involved in conducting a variationist research project. You will gain experience in collecting, storing, transcribing, coding and analysing vernacular data (with due regard for ethical concern), and write up the results of your analyses for an end-of-term paper.

Change in Contemporary English

This module investigates two kinds of recent change in English: a) change in “established” types of English (e.g. newspaper reports, and fiction) since the mid-20th century; and b) the emergence of new communications media (e.g. text messaging and email). Students use different resources and methods to investigate these developments, and engage critically with theories of change that have been proposed.

World Englishes

English is now the most widely spoken language in the world. Its expansion has resulted in unprecedented growth in regional varieties, as well as impact on local languages. The module explores the emergence, characteristics and status of English(es) around the world today, in its different aspects, e.g. historical background vs. contemporary situation, and native speakers’ vs. non-native speakers’ viewpoint.

Critical Issues in TESOL

You will develop an understanding of the global context of English language teaching and of the approaches, materials, and techniques of English language teaching to non-native speakers. You will be introduced to language learning needs analysis and develop the ability to plan and manage sequences of English language lessons.

Dissertation

In this module you will research, plan, structure and coherently present a sustained piece of academic writing (8,000–10,000 words). You will work independently to investigate a topic related to the modules you have followed in linguistics. You will select, interpret and evaluate the knowledge acquired and generate your own ideas and personal response to it.

University Wide Language Programme (UWLP)

You have the option to study a modern foreign language through the UWLP, which is practical in content and available at four levels (stages): Stage 1 (complete beginner), Stage 2 (Grade A*-C at GCSE), Stage 3 (Grade C or below at AS level), Stage 4 (Grade D or below at A2 level). The lower stages help you cope with everyday situations abroad or when dealing with visitors to this country, and the higher stages enable you to use the language in more professional contexts. Available options include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese.

Course Enquiries

For course enquiries please call us on:

T: +44 (0) 161 295 4545

Or Email us at:

Home/EU students
E: enquiries@salford.ac.uk

International students
E: international@salford.ac.uk