Why Study Linguistics? - Canada Institute of Linguistics (2024)

Simply put, linguistics is the study of language, how it works, how it is acquired, and how people use it to communicate. Although linguists are often interested in and can speak a variety of languages, linguists know more about how language works, rather than having the ability to speak and understand multiple languages. A polyglot is a person who speaks a multitude of languages. So, if linguistics doesn’t teach you particular languages, why study it?

Every language is like a one-of-a-kind species. It captures unique conceptualizations of the world and has its own ways of constructing words, phrases and sentences for communicating ideas. As we compare the words and structures of various languages, we come to a greater understanding of the world we live in. Apart from simply understanding the intricacies of world languages, this knowledge can be applied to improving communication between people, contributing to translation activities, assisting in literacy efforts, and treating speech disorders. And, of course, linguistics training is also valuable for studying and learning languages.

Because language captures how we perceive the world around us and how we relate to one another, it defines who we are. Our first language, or the “mother tongue” we grow up with, is the one we use to express what is in our hearts; it is our heart language. Many language communities are marginalized because of their cultural background, or because their heart language is not the language of power. As a result, thousands of minoritized language communities do not have access to education in a language they can understand. They become trapped in a cycle of poverty and discrimination simply because they are not part of the majority language and culture.

The plight of minoritized language communities is changing as a growing number of organizations are coming alongside such people groups. Language development is the series of ongoing planned actions that a language community takes to ensure its language continues to serve its changing social, cultural, political, economic and spiritual needs and goals. CanIL staff and faculty members have been involved in, and continue to be involved in, a wide range of cross-cultural language development work:

  • Linguistic analysis
  • Orthography and writing systems development
  • Literature development
  • Multilingual education and literacy
  • Partnership with governments, churches and non-government organizations (NGOs)
  • Health initiatives

Our graduates are currently working in over 40 countries around the world, serving alongside teachers, health providers, aid organizations, church leaders and local leaders. Our alumni are helping to empower communities by giving them access to more services offered in their heart language. Linguistics helps fight poverty.

Why Study Linguistics? - Canada Institute of Linguistics (2024)

FAQs

Why Study Linguistics? - Canada Institute of Linguistics? ›

Graduates of linguistics programs in Canada are well-equipped for diverse career paths, including roles in language technology, education

education
An academic discipline or field of study is a branch of knowledge, taught and researched as part of higher education. A scholar's discipline is commonly defined by the university faculties and learned societies to which they belong and the academic journals in which they publish research.
https://en.wikipedia.org › Outline_of_academic_disciplines
, translation, and research.

Why is the study of linguistics important? ›

Linguistics helps us empower people

Because language captures how we perceive the world around us and how we relate to one another, it defines who we are. Our first language, or the “mother tongue” we grow up with, is the one we use to express what is in our hearts; it is our heart language.

What are the benefits of linguistics to the student of language? ›

A degree in Linguistics will provide you with a better understanding of how we produce and comprehend language, how children and adults acquire a language, how languages vary and change over time, and how speakers use language in different social situations and in different groups.

What is the goal of the linguistic study? ›

The goal of linguistics is to obtain a deep understanding of how languages work and to describe and understand the structure of human languages. This can often take the form of a comparative analysis of how various languages or language families are alike or different.

Why do I choose linguistics? ›

Linguistics is a major that provides insight into one of the most intriguing aspects of human knowledge and behavior. Majoring in linguistics means learning about many aspects of human language, including sounds (phonetics, phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax), and meaning (semantics).

What is the main purpose of linguistics? ›

Linguistics aims to define how languages are developed in the human mind and describes how human languages are formed and how they work. This includes language structure, sociolinguistics, grammar, syntax, semantics and, phonetics.

How useful is a linguistics degree? ›

While teaching and writing are both excellent careers that a Linguistics degree can lead to, the list of potential professions is far longer and more varied than that. Among the possible future careers that you may not have thought of are forensic linguist, speech therapist and social worker.

What is the highest paying job in linguistics? ›

High Paying Language Interpreter Jobs
  • Computational Linguist. Salary range: $97,500-$153,000 per year. ...
  • Japanese Linguist. Salary range: $97,500-$153,000 per year. ...
  • Court Interpreter. Salary range: $65,500-$91,000 per year. ...
  • Interpreter. ...
  • Arabic Linguist. ...
  • French Translator. ...
  • Spanish Linguist. ...
  • Spanish Translator.

Why do people become linguists? ›

The major in Linguistics offers students the opportunity to approach human language as an object of scientific investigation. Linguistics is about how language works: what's in our heads, how we use it to communicate, why there are so many different languages, and how it can be modeled computationally.

What do you do with a linguistics degree? ›

With a degree in Linguistics, graduates can seek careers in such fields as:
  • Work in the Computer Industry. ...
  • Work in education. ...
  • Teach English as a Second Language (ESL) in the United States or abroad. ...
  • Teach at the university level. ...
  • Work as a translator or interpreter. ...
  • Work on language documentation or conduct fieldwork.

What is the focus of the study of linguistics? ›

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, and its focus is the systematic investigation of the properties of particular languages as well as the characteristics of language in general.

What is the ultimate goal of linguistics? ›

The main goal of linguistics, like all other intellectual disciplines, is to increase our knowledge and understanding of the world. Since language is universal and fundamental to all human interactions, the knowledge attained in linguistics has many practical applications.

What is the aim and relevance of linguistics? ›

General linguistics is a science that studies the human language scientifically, its main purpose is to provide information about the subject and tasks of linguistics, the essence of language, the structure of language, language and speech, language and thought, the system of characters in language, language and ...

What is the most important part of linguistics? ›

Hence, we conclude that the Dictionary and grammar is the most important for linguists.

What is the disadvantage of linguistics? ›

A person suffers linguistic disadvantage when they have inadequate opportunities for communication, because within their linguistic environment they are only able to communicate without mediation amongst a relatively (or absolutely) small number of people.

Is linguistics hard to study? ›

Because linguistics requires students to use the scientific method to analyze language, these majors need strong critical thinking and communication skills.

How important is linguistics nowadays? ›

Overall, applied linguistics is a vital field that has practical applications in many areas of life, including the workplace, education. Its relevance is only becoming more important in today's globalized world, where communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries is increasingly essential for success.

What is the most important for linguistic? ›

Hence, we conclude that the Dictionary and grammar is the most important for linguists.

What is the importance in linguistic? ›

Enhancing Communication

Linguistics provides us with a deep understanding of the mechanics of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. By delving into these aspects, linguistics equips us with the knowledge necessary to communicate effectively.

What is the importance of language learning in linguistics? ›

Language learning contributes an important means to communicate and interact in order to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world. This interaction develops the disposition to explore the perspectives behind the products and practices of a culture and to value such intercultural experiences.

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