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Study Linguistics at Otago

Think language, think Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific and systematic study of language.

Language is probably unique to human experience, and so it has interested people throughout history. You’ve probably thought about it, too.

Have you ever wondered why languages are similar and different, how they develop, why people misunderstand each other or what is the best way to learn another language?

Linguistics is about finding answers to those questions. All you need to study linguistics is your curiosity!

Why study Linguistics?

Language involves everything we do every day, so studying what language is and how language works provides insights into everyday life. It is a useful and rewarding subject for anyone who is interested in languages of any kind, including computer and “invented” languages, as well as anyone interested in teaching and learning second/foreign languages.

Linguistics complements other disciplines in the arts, such as English, communication studies, sociology, anthropology, education, languages and law, and other disciplines in the sciences, such as psychology, neuroscience, computer and information science, and maths.

You will be taught how to identify and provide analyses of linguistic phenomena and how to construct and justify arguments for particular analyses.

Although many students of Linguistics study another language, Linguistics at Otago does not assume any prior knowledge of linguistics or of any languages other than English.

Linguistics is the discipline that directly addresses what language is, why languages are similar and different, how languages develop, how languages work and how languages are taught and learned.

Career opportunities

Linguistics is useful in any area in which language and communication are important – and that's everything!

It is particularly useful for language teaching, interpreting/translation, editing and writing, computer programming and speech therapy.

Past linguistics graduates are now government ministry officials, lawyers, editors, copywriters, technical writers, journalists, film directors and producers, translators, interpreters, speech therapists, and lecturers, teachers, and curriculum and materials developers.

The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor specifically equips you to teach English abroad and at home in language schools and other non-state institutions.

Write your story

Study English at Otago and develop your powers of analysis, creativity and imagination.

Linguistics at Otago

The Linguistics staff members at Otago teach and research a variety of areas you can learn, including:

  • phonetics and phonology (the study of speech sounds and systems)
  • morphology and syntax (the study of word and sentence structures)
  • semantics and pragmatics (the study of meaning and use)
  • linguistic typology (the study of language comparison and classification)
  • discourse and narrative analysis
  • teaching English (TESOL) or other second languages
  • child first and adult second language development
  • family language policy and heritage language learning
  • pragmatics in second language teaching and learning
  • field linguistics (the study of little-known languages through primary data collection)
  • psycholinguistics (the study of language processing in the brain).

Learning Linguistics

Linguistics is a small, friendly programme. We get to know our students and our students get to know each other.

Many papers have activities that enable students to collaboratively explore their ideas and communicate their learning, and students have consistently ranked Linguistics very highly for teamwork.

Students develop critical thinking and communication skills by working with linguistic data and concepts to identify underlying language patterns, evaluate and justify linguistic arguments and analyse conversational choices.

Individual and collaborative assessments involve planning, researching and presenting skills that are necessary in most workplaces.

TESOL classes address instructed language learning and develop language teaching practices.

Degree options

At the undergraduate level, this work can lead to a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Linguistics, English and Linguistics, or Language and Linguistics, or a BASc (Bachelor of Arts and Science) or BACom (Bachelor of Arts and Commerce). It also offers a minor in Linguistics and a minor in teaching English as a second language.

The Linguistics Programme offers a full undergraduate programme, honours, MA and PhD, and also and a Graduate Diploma in Second Language Teaching, with a view to meeting the demand for teachers of English in New Zealand and overseas.

Choose a study option

Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

Undergraduate qualifications

For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.

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Further study opportunities

Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

Programme details

Compare programmes for this subject.

Papers

View a list of all related papers below.

More information

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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