BA in Language & Linguistics

at TWU

Do you love the idea of traveling or working abroad and conversing with locals?

BA in Language & Linguistics at TWU

Trinity Western University’s Department of Linguistics and World Languages offers a major in Language & Linguistics, leading to a BA degree. Students choose courses in linguistics and courses in one of the languages offered by the department: French, Spanish, or Chinese. Students complete a minor (24 s.h.) in either linguistics or the language of their choice and complete 18 s.h. in the other option, totalling 42 s.h. for the major. Students can choose to complete a minor in their second option by taking an additional 6 s.h. in that option as part of their general elective courses.

Pairing in-depth language and culture study with a solid grounding in linguistics is an excellent way for students to become language specialists, with the ability to understand the linguistic intricacies of their chosen language of study, and with the capacity to use their linguistic skills to study other languages as well. Students of language and linguistics have opportunities in the areas of translation, cross-cultural communication, international development, language documentation and revitalization, and speech-language pathology.

The BA in Language and Linguistics is good preparation for the Master of Arts in Linguistics program, offered through Trinity Western’s Faculty of Graduate Studies, or the Master of Arts in Linguistics and Translation program, offered through Trinity Western’s Graduate School of Theological Studies (ACTS Seminaries).

Bachelor of Arts in Language & Linguistics

Program Requirements

The BA in Language and Linguistics comprises 40 semester hours (sh) of Core Requirements, 40 sh of General Elective Courses, 18-24 sh of Linguistics courses, and 18-24 sh of either FrenchSpanish, or Chinese courses. For linguistics courses, students have the option to attend the CanIL 9 week summer session. 

Required LING Courses (6 courses, 18 sem. hours)
LING 101 Introduction to Linguistics

An introduction to the primary elements of linguistics, including an introduction to morphology and semantics (words and meaning), phonetics (the sounds of language), phonology (the sound systems of language), syntax (grammatical systems), sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition theory, and current issues in linguistics. No previous knowledge of linguistics is required.

LING 102 Applying Linguistics in the World

Explores a variety of linguistic fields and their applications. Students will investigate topics such as language diversity and endangerment, language and technology, Canadian indigenous languages, psychology of language, speech disorders, language acquisition and teaching, and forensic linguistics. Students will discuss theoretical foundations, learn about a variety of linguistic-related careers, and apply their knowledge practically in a chosen field.

LING 210 Language & Society

This course focuses on the interaction between language and the social context within which it is used. Topics include: regional and social dialects; multilingualism; language attitudes and their impact on national and personal identity; linguistic politeness; the maintenance, shift, loss, and spread of languages; and the impact of modern technology. Applications to gender and education are explored in depth.

This course can alternatively be taken in an online format. Refer to Language and Society ONLINE.

LING 230 Articulatory Phonetics

This course provides a theoretical and practical introduction to the broad range of human speech sounds that are found in the languages of the world. Through practice inside and outside of the classroom, students will learn to recognize and produce the various sounds, transcribe them with phonetic symbols, and describe how they are produced. Attention will also be given to other phonetic details such as tone, intonation, stress, and duration.

LING 330 Phonological Analysis

Theory of language sound systems, principles of analysis of sound systems, and principles of forming an orthography. Opportunity will be given to apply these principles to a wide range of natural language data.

Co-requisites:

LING 310 Articulatory Phonetics

LING 360 Morphosyntax I

This course deals with theories of grammar and principles of language analysis: morphology, syntax, stems, words, phrases and sentences. Problem solving with data from a variety of languages is a major part of the course.

Co-requisites:

LING 310 Articulatory Phonetics

Elective LING Courses (choose 2 courses, 6 sem. hours)
LING 371 Training Across Cultures

This course provides linguists, translators and literacy trainers with principles of adult learning to increase their knowledge, skills and attitudes as effective trainers of adults in cross-cultural settings. Students will interact with literature in adult education; describe how these principles might apply cross-culturally; practice teaching using these methods; then analyze and compare approaches used in other cultures with practical application to training across cultures. While the focus is for training linguists, the principles can be applied to training adults in a wide variety of training situations.

Prerequisites:

LING 360 Morphosyntax I
LING 330 Phonological Analysis
LING 230/310 Articulatory Phonetics
LING 210 Language and Society

LING 399 Linguistics Field Placement

The linguistics practicum course is designed to give students a short-term practical experience in a language development program. Students will work with a faculty member at TWU and a mentor on location to develop their ability as field linguists through making a contribution to language development work. The location, length of assignment, and work commitments will be determined by the faculty member in consultation with the student and the field mentor. 120 hours of work are required for the 3 semester hour course.
Please note that LING 361 and LING 362 can be used as a prerequisite instead of LING 360 Grammatical Analysis.

Prerequisites:

Permission from Program Chair
LING 481 Anthropological Linguistics: Ethnography
LING 480 Field Methods: Data Management & Analysis (recommended)
LING 470 Language and Culture Acquisition: Theory & Praxis (recommended)
LING 360 Morphosyntax I
LING 330 Phonological Analysis
LING 230/310 Articulatory Phonetics
LING 210 Language and Society

LING 466 Principles of Sociolinguistic Survey

This course introduces the students to the rudiments of linguistic and sociolinguistic survey. The focus is on purpose-driven language survey design and appropriate subsequent reporting of the findings. Consideration is given to current issues in social science research such as the ethics of sampling, and statistical significance of sample populations.

Co-requisite:

LING-210 Language & Society

LING 471 First Language Acquisition

This course covers typical first language acquisition in children. Major topics include phonology, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pragmatics, as well as literacy development.  The course uses a social framework and real-life examples that connect the diverse topics into a comprehensive picture of language development. Application to fields of speech-language pathology and audiology are also developed through sections on language impairment and hearing loss.

This course is taught at CanIL-West and live-streamed by request.

Prerequisites:

LING 360 Morphosyntax I
LING 330 Phonological Analysis
LING 310 Articulatory Phonetics

LING 475 Scripture Engagement

This course focuses on developing appropriate materials and activities that enhance a community’s engagement with Scripture. Students learn how to research worldview, work with local artists and teachers, and partner with local leaders in this process.

LING 476 Acoustic Phonetics

This course introduces students to fundamental principles of acoustics that are relevant to the study of human speech sounds. Students will gain a basic understanding of properties of speech sound waves and learn how to investigate these properties instrumentally using acoustic analysis software. There will be extensive practice interpreting acoustic displays such as waveform graphs, fundamental frequency graphs, and spectrograms. A major focus of the course is the effective use of these displays as an aid to correctly transcribing speech sounds and understanding their phonetic properties in the context of descriptive phonetic and/or phonological fieldwork. Significant attention is also given to the complex interrelationships among acoustic, articulatory, and perceptual correlates of speech sounds.

LING 482 Issues in Community Literacy

This course focuses on issues relating to literacy programs in a community of speakers of a minority language. It deals with various program issues, including: bridging the gap to oral communities and introducing change in a community, motivation and mobilization, capacity-building and sustainability, training and evaluation, the challenges of working in multilingual societies and with those in stressed situations, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Prerequisites:

LING 210 Language & Society

LING 483 Language Programs Design & Management

This course investigates the sociolinguistic and background factors upon which a language development program for speakers of vernacular languages may be based. Students learn to work with local people and agencies in designing and implementing a program to effectively meet the needs of specific language groups.

Prerequisites:

LING 210 Language and Society

LING 484 Principles of Literacy

As an introductory course in principles for literacy work in ethnolinguistic minority groups, this course includes an introduction to what a literacy program involves, including orthography design, pre and post- literacy considerations, learning and reading theory and instructional methodologies. It requires a background knowledge of phonology.

Prerequisites:

LING 310 Articulatory Phonetics
LING 330 Phonological Analysis

LING 486 Advanced Phonological Analysis

This course provides an overview of current phonological theory. Students employ theoretical concepts to analyze complex data from a variety of different languages, gaining in the process a better understanding of the range of typological variation found in human languages.Minimum grade for prerequisite courses is B-.

Prerequisites:

LING 330 Phonological Analysis
LING 310 Articulatory Phonetics

LING 487 Lexicography

This course provides a theoretical and practical basis for analyzing the semantics of the lexicon, managing a lexical database and producing dictionaries for a variety of audiences including the local community, translators and linguists.

Prerequisites:

LING 480 Field Methods: Data Management & Analysis

LING 490 Special Topics in Linguistics

An examination of special topics or issues in linguistics that are not covered in depth in other courses.
NB: Offered on a case-by-case basis, as needed. See Department chair.

LING 491 Discourse Analysis

This course focuses on the question of how speakers of a given language effectively accomplish their communicative goals through the strategic use and shaping of language in both written and oral discourse. Students learn to identify different discourse genres, to chart texts for analysis, to discern hierarchical units within the macrostructure of a text, and to describe features of cohesion and participant reference, as well as identifying strategies in language for establishing the relative prominence of various streams of information. Special attention is paid to the interaction between alternate syntactic forms and their varying pragmatic functions in context.

Prerequisites:

Third year standing
LING 360 Morphosyntax I

LING 494 Communication & Translation

Discusses foundational principles of translation as crosslinguistic communication, with a focus on minority and minoritized language environments. Students will study the principles involved in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting, and in communicating that message in a very different language and culture. Students will apply theories from different schools of thought regarding communication and the idea of quality in translation.

LING 497 Bible Translation

Provides an overview of the process of Bible translation, paying articular attention to problems related to the translation of sacred texts. Students will apply existing skills in biblical exegesis and linguistic analysis to crosslinguistic communication, with particular consideration given to key biblical concepts and themes, figurative language, identification of genre, and concerns about authenticity among receptor language communities. Special emphasis will also be placed on Bible translation best practices, inclusion of key stakeholders in the translation project context, quality assurance mechanisms, and utilization of tools specific to Bible translation.

LING 594 Communication & Translation

Discusses foundational principles of translation as crosslinguistic communication, with a focus on minority and minoritized language environments. Students will study the principles involved in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting, and in communicating that message in a very different language and culture. Students will apply theories from different schools of thought regarding communication and the idea of quality in translation.

LING 597 Bible Translation

Provides an overview of the process of Bible translation, paying articular attention to problems related to the translation of sacred texts. Students will apply existing skills in biblical exegesis and linguistic analysis to crosslinguistic communication, with particular consideration given to key biblical concepts and themes, figurative language, identification of genre, and concerns about authenticity among receptor language communities. Special emphasis will also be placed on Bible translation best practices, inclusion of key stakeholders in the translation project context, quality assurance mechanisms, and utilization of tools specific to Bible translation.

THE BOTTOM LINE

How long is the program?
4 years
How many semester hours?
122 total hours, including 40 sh of Core requirements, 40 sh of General electives, 18-24 sh of linguistics courses, and 18-24 sh of language courses
What is the current cost?
$760 per semester hour
How much does an average semester cost?
$11,400 (15 semester hours)
How much financial aid is available?
TWU offers an average of $2,700 per semester.
CanIL offers an average of $500 per CanIL linguistics course taken.

Launch awards are given to approved eligible students in their third and fourth years in the form of Church Matching Grants and Ministry Boost Awards.

Please note: Because the programs and policies of the university are under continual review, the schedule of fees and charges may change without notice.

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