Questions Frequently Asked of Our Department

What is linguistics?

The short answer is that linguistics is the study of language, not to be confused with the study of individual languages. Linguists are interested in issues such as what one has to know to be able to speak a language, what kinds of "rules" for creating language exist in our minds and in what form, and why it is that all human languages are similar to such a large extent. You can also read the long answer.

I've just taken Linguistics 200 or 400. What course do I take next?

After Linguistics 200 or 400, there are many possibilities open to you. You can consult our list of linguistics and linguistics-related courses organized by topic, or you can get personalized advice from our undergraduate adviser. It may help you to look at the courses required for majoring in Linguistics or Romance Linguistics.

What is the difference between General Linguistics and Romance Linguistics?

In Romance Linguistics, students complete coursework in either French or Spanish Linguistics in addition to the work completed by students in General Linguistics. General Linguistics students need not specialize in any specific language, concentrating their study on issues relating to any or all languages.

Can I apply to the graduate program in Linguistics online?

Yes, in fact, we now ask that all graduate applications be submitted online. Please note that you will still need to mail via post some materials, such as letters of recommendation, etc. Please see our Graduate Degrees page for details.

What kind of financial aid is available for graduate study?

The Linguistics Department offers financial support to some students in the form of research and teaching assistantships and tuition waivers. Only a few research assistantships or tuition waivers are available through our department for first-year students. Thus, we encourage incoming graduate students to check opportunities for financial support from other sources and those who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents to apply early for financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

How do I write a linguistics paper?

Read Prof. Fritz Newmeyer's article entitled "Some Guidelines for Writing Linguistics Articles".

If you have any further questions or comments please contact us at phoneme@u.washington.edu

Last modified 8/29/03 by Joyce Parvi