Undergraduate Linguistics Studies
Learn the scientific study of language and its structure.
Why Study Linguistics?
Students of linguistics come to understand that language is composed of layers of intertwined systems (sound, meaning, organization, and context) as they study phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. It helps students learn languages easier. It also helps students understand the world around us. Language captures unique conceptualizations of the world and each one has its own ways of constructing words, phrases, and sentences for communicating ideas. By comparing the words and structures of various languages, we come to a greater understanding of the world we live in.
Linguistics students have the opportunity to explore language as it relates to society, including the relationship between language and social factors such as region, ethnicity, gender, and identity. For example, language is one of the markers used to either empower or marginalize others. Therefore, linguistics experts work alongside many organizations on a wide range of cross-cultural development work.
Our Linguistics Program
The Department of Modern Languages at UM offers a major and minor in linguistics. Our students learn how language is acquired, not through imitation, but through a natural process that moves through a series of stages. In linguistics classes, we explore the influence of language on culture, the influence of technology on language, the way that language changes over time, and the importance of context in communication. Students gain a solid background in theoretical and applied linguistics. Each year the linguistics faculty selects a top linguistics student to receive the T.J. Ray Award in Linguistics at the University’s annual Honors Day Ceremony.
Faculty Expertise
The Linguistics faculty members have expertise in several fields of linguistics, including dialectology, language acquisition, languages in contact, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, syntax and translation studies. The linguistics faculty is enthusiastic, supportive, and committed to working closely with its students.
- The National Science Foundation awarded Dr. Jimin Kahng, Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics, and her team a $445,000 grant to discover more about how language works in the human mind. Her study, Deconstructing Wordlikeness Judgments, aims to analyze the variety of factors involved in word pattern recognition in order to better understand the nature of the underlying grammatical system.
Dr. Stephen Fafulas, Associate of Spanish and Linguistics, is an inaugural UM Faculty Laureate to build community partnerships to serve Latinx communities across the US South. Fafulas, a recent Fulbright recipient, mentors students in community-engaged research on Spanish in the US South, and has helped develop dual-language immersion programs in K-5 schools. Cofounder of the SEC Spanish Consortium and Director of the Study of Community Involvement and Outreach in Linguistics Laboratory, he teaches and conducts research in sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, and US Spanish.
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Academic Information
Learn about the linguistics major and minor requirements, including the general education requirements for the B.A. degree. Download a 4-year degree plan for the B.A. in Linguistics.
Academic Information -
Scholarships
Scholarships from the Department of Modern Languages, College of Liberal Arts, and UM Office of Financial Aid help many students study linguistics.
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Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society
Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Languages Honor Society, recognizes the exceptional achievements of students of linguistics, philology, second language acquisition, and foreign languages.
Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society
Welcome from the Undergraduate Linguistics Director
We are thrilled to have you join our vibrant community of language enthusiasts and scholars! Here, you'll embark on an exciting journey to explore the intricate workings of human language - its structure, use, history, and cultural significance. You will be able to work with passionate faculty, engage in thought-provoking coursework, and participate in hands-on research and activities. Whether you're fascinated by syntax, phonology, sociolinguistics, or language acquisition, our program offers a solid foundation to help you discover and deepen your interests. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the program!
Tamara Warhol
Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Meet the Faculty
Christiana Christodoulou
- Research Assistant Professor of Modern Languages
Felice Coles
- Professor of Modern Languages
Donald Dyer
- Associate Dean for Faculty & Academic Affairs and Distinguished Professor of Modern Languages
Stephen Fafulas
- Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Maria Fionda
- Associate Professor of Spanish
Jimin Kahng
- Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics
Whitney Sarver
- Senior Director of the Intensive English Program and Instructional Associate Professor
Vance Schaefer
- Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Ala Simonchyk
- Instructional Associate Professor of Linguistics
Daniel Valle Arevalo
- Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics
Tamara Warhol
- Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Robyn Wright
- Associate Professor of Spanish
Meet a Linguistics Major
Morgan McCann
What do you want to tell about your linguistics major?
See Morgan’s AnswerConnect with the Linguistics Community
Outstanding Student Awards
| Year | Honors Day T.J. Ray Linguistics Award |
| 2024 | Akira Goodman |
| 2023 | Katelyn Mackenzie Doss |
| 2022 | CZachariah Hays Allen |
| 2021 | Martha Hamilton McCafferty |
| 2020 | Caleb Crosby |
| 2019 | Malerie Lovejoy |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | Caleb Crosby |
| 2016 | Robyn Christine Sharrar |
| 2015 | Sabrina Ann Kosloske |
| 2014 | Sarah Price Wright |
| 2013 | Stephanie Annette Sherman |
| 2012 | Carley Loren Rodgers |
| 2011 | Leah Michelle Nodar |
| 2010 | Joshua Lee Martin |
| 2009 | Robert Edward McCain |
| 2008 | Meghan Elise Weaver |
| 2007 | Anne Mores Carter |
| Year | Linguistics Student Awards |
| 2024 | 200 Level: June Yungle Guin 300 Level: Feagin Hardy 500 Level: Akira Goodman PhD Applied Linguistics: Ahmed Alshamrani |
| 2023 | 200 Level: Abby Carroll 300 Level: Jacqueline Hibbard 500 Level: Katelyn Doss PhD Level: Timur Akishev |
| 2022 | 200 Level: Reo Weaver 300 Level: Hannah Feagin Hardy 500 Level: Jordan Cooper PhD Level: Marcella Netto |
| 2021 | 200 Level: Emily Suh 300 Level: Zach Allen 500 Level: Allyson Socha PhD Level: Marcella Netto |
| 2020 | 200 Level: Zach H. Allen 300 Level: Maha Nasher 500 Level: Allyson Socha MA Level: Maide Beyza Cayli |
| 2019 | 300 Level: Martha McCafferty 500 Level: (Jonathon) Hershel Tate MA Level: Marcella Netto PhD Level: Lin Zhu |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | Virginia Geddie |
| 2015 | Robyn Sharrar, Sarah Parrish |
| 2014 | Chad Davis, Tess Hill |
| 2013 | Stephanie Annette Sherman, Matthew John Astorino, Angelica Burnham, Kayla Danielle West, Daniel Seth Wilson |
| 2012 | |
| 2011 | Trent Harmon |
Choosing a Minor (or Double Major)
We are proud of the legacy built by Linguistics alumni.
- Application Services Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Language Assistant, Salvador Allende High School
- Library Assistant, Jackson Hinds Library System
- English Language Development Coordinator, Boston Prep Charter Schools
- Speech Language Pathologist, Janna Hacker & Associates
- Operations Coordinator, International SOS
- Language Analyst, U.S. Army
- Project Coordinator, T-Mobile
- Team Lead/Conversational A.I., GEICO
- Intelligence Instructor, U.S. Army
- Teacher, Soulsville Charter School
- Professor, Howard University