Overview 
Students of linguistics study the structure, meaning, uses and history of human languages. They gain insight into how language is processed by the human mind and by computer, and they learn about cultural and linguistic diversity through the study of how language reflects meaning and worldviews. Through these perspectives, students discover how language reflects unique characteristics of humanity by connecting linguistic structure with the functional meanings that are used in communication.
Students learn how linguistic analysis can be used in practice through the study of such areas as second language acquisition and assessment, language teaching, computer processing of human language, and communication disorders. Linguistics courses are taught by outstanding faculty in language related departments such as Anthropology, Computer Science, English, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Psychology, and World Languages and Cultures.
For more information, contact Professor Carol A. Chapelle, Chair.
Find out more about:
Program Requirements
Answers to FAQs (download as pdf)
Linguistics Faculty
Jobs
Linguistics Links
Requirements
Courses in linguistcs serve as background for students interested in any career that involves working with language, such as anthropology, natural language processing, foreign language teaching, teaching English both as a first and as a second language, psychology, sociology, speech-language pathology, and audiology.
In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, courses in linguistics can be applied as electives or as part of the group requirements. They also may be used in a minor or in a major.
Requirements for the Undergraduate Major
completion of the BA in linguistics requires that students complete 36 credit hours of linguistics with a grade of C or better as specificed below in addition to the LAS general education requirements.
Core Requirements (30 credits)
LING/FLNG 119 Introduction to World Languages*
LING/ENGL 120 Computers and Language *
LING/PHIL 207 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
LING/ENGL 219 Introduction to Linguistics
LING/ENGL 220 Descriptive English Grammar
LING/ANTHR 309 Linguistic Anthropology
LING/CMDIS 371 Phonetics and Phonology
LING/PSYCH 413 Psychology of Language
LING/ENGL 437 Grammatical Analysis
LING/ENGL 420 History of the English Language
Areas of Concentration (6 credits)
Students may complete requirements for one of the following areas of concentration. Students are welcome to select any combination of courses from these areas. Independent study in any of the areas will be considered on an individual basis.
Communication Disorders (6)
LING/CMDIS 275 Introduction to Communication Disorders
LING/CMDIS 286 Sign Language
LING/CMDIS 325 Nonverbal Communication
LING/CMDIS 471 Language Development
Computational Linguistics (6)
LING/COMS 331 Theory of Computing
LING/ENGL 520 Computational Analysis of English
Second Language Studies (6)
LING/ENGL 425 Second Language Acquisition
One of the following:
LING/FLING 486 Methods in Elementary FL Instruction
LING/ENGL 487 Methods in Secondary FL Instruction
LING/ENGL 524 Literacy: Issues and Methods for Nonnative Speakers of English
LING/ENGL 525 Methods of Teaching Listening/Speaking Siolls to Nonnative Speakers of English
LING/ENGL 519 Language Assessment
LING/ENGL 526 Computer-Assisted Language Learning
Sociolinguistics and Language Use (6)
SPCM 305 Language in Use
LING/ENGL 422 Women, Men, and the English Language
LING/ENGL 514 Sociolinguistics
LING/ENGL 527 Discourse Analysis
A World Language (6)
LING/FLNG 351 Introduction to Spanish/English Translation
LING/FLNG 352 Introduction to Spanish Phonology
LING/FLNG 462 Contrastive Analysis of Spanish/English Syntax
LING/ELNG 463 Hispanic Dialectology
Linguistics classes in other language are available through the study abroad program. Six credits of linguistics in a single language can be transferred.
Other Requirements
The linguistics program requires a grade of C+ or better in English 104 and 105 (or 105H) and English 305, 314, or a 370 course in the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Linguistics majors must show proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to two years of university-level foreign language study.
Requirements for the Undergraduate Minor
Minors in linguistics are usually individually tailored to the interest of the student, who consults with the chair of the supervisory committee for linguistics. All minors must have a minimum of 15 credits in linguistics, of which 6 must be in courses numbered over 300. All programs must include Ling 219 or Ling 309.
Graduate Study
A graduate minor in linguistics is offered through a cooperateve agreement with the departments of Anthropology, Computer Science, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Psychology, and the program in Speech Communication. For the master's degee, a declared minor consists of 9 credits in lingustics, including two foundation courses (511 and 516/537) and one elective from the list of courses approved for graduate credit. For the Ph.D. degree, the minor consists of 12 credits in linguistics including two foundation courses (511 and 516/537) and one elective. Students in English with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language/Linguistics are not eligible for a graduate minor in linguistics.
The following courses may be used in graduate programs with the approval of the student's program of study commitee: LING/COMS 331, LING/ENGL 420, LING/ENGL 422, LING/ENGL 425, LING/CMDIS 471, LING/FLNG 486, LING/FLNG 487.
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What is linguistics and what can I do with a degree in linguistics?
Linguistics refers to the study of language, and therefore students who major in linguistics go on to many careers including work in academic and non-academic areas, such as language teaching and assessment, computational analysis of language, speech pathology, translation, and government work. See some examples of companies that hire linguists.
Linguistics is a cross-disciplinary major at Iowa State. Does that mean I have to have another major in addition to linguistics?
Linguistics is cross-disciplinary at Iowa State because the faculty who teach linguistics course are located in a variety of departments. You do not need to have a double major if you major in linguistics.
Can I complete a BA in linguistics in 4 years?
Yes, students complete their degree in 4 years by following the linguistics advisor’s advice. A suggested program of study can be found on the Website.
How can I find out more about the linguistics program besides the information at your website?
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact the linguistics advisor, Roger Bertelsen. If you are not on campus and you want to schedule a visit through ISU Campus Visits, go to the Website, pick the day you want to come, fill out the forms and enter "Linguistics" as your intended major.
I took some courses at a community college. Can I transfer them to ISU?
Yes, many community college classes transfer. That would be arranged through ISU’s Office of the Register. They would be able to give you the precise instructions to follow. Information for transfer students is available at the Admissions website.
Does the Linguistics undergraduate program offer any departmental scholarships?
Professors sometimes hire linguistics undergraduates to participate in research projects. Matches between students and faculty are made in the 101X course “Introduction to the Study of Linguistics” but linguistics students can also check with faculty to see if they have any projects. ISU's Office of Financial Aid has a website with information and forms on other scholarships and grants, loans, and student employment. Also, The Admissions Office has some helpful information about Financing your Education.
How can I get to know other linguistics students?
During the first year, most linguistics students can meet in three linguistics courses for majors: Computers and Language (Linguistics 120X), Introduction to Language (Linguistics119X, and Introduction to the Study of Linguistics (Linguistics 101X). The Linguistics Club holds meetings every first and third Tuesday of the month. If you want to know the specifics, you should email the officers at lingoff@iastate.edu.
Can I get a linguistics degree from ISU online?
No, Iowa State, like most universities, requires students to spend a significant portion of their time in residence on campus. Our undergraduate and graduate courses are offered primarily during the day. Most students find the time they spend on campus very rewarding—a time they remember and treasure forever.
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Linguistics Faculty
Dawn Bratsch-Prince (World Languages and Cultures) Romance philology, translation in the Middle Ages, epistolary discourse, Catalan language
Carol Chapelle (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Language testing, second language acquisition, computer-assisted language learning
Viviana Cortes (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Language for specific purposes, corpus linguistics
Dan Douglas (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Language testing, second language acquisition, language for specific purposes
James R. Dow (World Languages and Cultures) History of German Language, language contact, German minorities in the USA
John Hagge (English) Historical linguistics, history and structure of scientific discourse, descriptive English grammar
Nick Pendar (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) computational linguistics, natural language processing
Volker Hegelheimer (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Second language acquisition, computer-assisted language learning, language testing
Kathy Leonard (World Languages and Cultures) Second language acquisition, Hispanic linguistics, translation
John M. Levis (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Applied phonology and phonetics, intonational phonology, dialectology, methods of teaching ESL
Alison Morris (Psychology) Brain and behavior, interactions among attention, perception, and memory, mental representation of syntax.
William S. Robinson (Philosophy) Philosophy of mind, logic
Barbara Schwarte (Intensive English and Orientation Program and TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Second language acquisition, sociolinguistics, pragmatics
Roberta Vann (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Second language acquisition, discourse analysis, methods of teaching ESL
Horabail Venkatagiri (Psychology) Acoustic analysis of speech, speech production, perception and fluency disorders
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Jobs
The following list of companies which have language related career opportunities is provided courtesy of Everette Jordan, Donna Parrish of Multilingual Computing, Paul Chapin, and Frederick Jackson of Interagency Language Roundtable.
ABLE International, Inc.
Accent Language Services
Adams Globalization
ALS International, CLS (Corproate Language Services)
Arial Translations
ASET International Services Corporation
Carnegie Mellon University Language Technologies Institute
Comprehensive Language Center, Inc.
Digitek/Sakhr Software Company
ES Bilgisayar Ltd.
InstallShield Software Corporation
International Software Products B.V.
Inxight Software
JLS Language Corporation
Language Partners International
Lemoine International
Lingo Systems
Lionbridge
Locatech
Luz
MultiLing Interantional, Inc.
Pacific International
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
Rubric, Inc.
Satellite Station, Inc.
SDL International, UK
SimulTrans, L.L.C.
SinoMetrics International, Inc.
Sykes enterprises, Inc.
Terra Pacific, Inc.
The Language Service
The Write Stuff
TRADOS
Transparent Language, Inc.
Unitype, Inc.
VistaTec.Ltd.
Welocalize.com
WORDSTATION GmbH
WORDtrans
XA International
United States Intelligence Community
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Links
We've compiled a list of intersting linguistics related sites on the web for you to check out:
Linguistics Society of America -website includes a list of resources, frequently asked questions,links to other linguistics organizations,and an index of the fields of linguistics.
The LINGUIST List a web site containing linguistics resources, information on language analysis, job sites, mailing lists, and much more.
American Association for Applied Linguistics -website has information on conferences and workshops, graduate programs in linguistics, and job registration.
Linguistic Association of Canada and the United States- includes information on publications, and links to software pages and pages of current linguistic interest.
Association for Computational Linguistics - links to special interest groups in the field of computational linguistics, online resources, and conference information.
Center for Applied Linguitics -website contains information on research probjects, a directory and online resource guide, ask the language experts,and links to other centers and clearinghouses.
Summer Institute of Linguistics -check out the ethnologue, a list of the word's languages, language maps, and much more.
TESOL Website -(Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) has a host of information on professional issues and development,news, conferences and grants. The site also has a jobfinder and a section on calls for proposals.
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