Department of Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of language—a vital part of what makes us human. As linguists, we study the formal properties of language, how it evolves, and how it is used in social situations. And while linguists do work on topics related to specific languages, the ultimate goal is to understand the nature of language on a global scale. In so doing, we advance knowledge and the understanding of what it is to be human. Language is how we communicate, how we function in society, and how we interpret the world around us. The work of linguistics is to address important questions about language, such as how is it acquired in infancy, how second languages are acquired, and how language can be processed by computers. To answer these and other important questions, linguists study the formal properties of language, how it evolves, and how it is used in social situations.
Simon Fraser University has one of the largest and most diverse linguistics programs in Canada. We offer a wide range of courses about language at the undergraduate level, including certificate programs in Speech Science and TESL. We also offer graduate programs leading to MA and PhD degrees. Research in linguistics at SFU is characterized by interdisciplinarity, breadth in research methodology, and diversity in theoretical perspective.
The Department of Linguistics offers courses about sounds (phonetics and phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax), narratives and conversations (discourse analysis), and meaning (semantics and pragmatics). We also have courses devoted to language learning and teaching, computational linguistics, neurolinguistics, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, universals and typology, language and the law, and Indigenous languages.
Recent News
-
April 15, 2024
Undergraduate spotlight: Nawaal Abdul-Khaliq recognized as the SFU Linguistics Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to Nawaal Abdul-Khaliq for being recognized as the SFU Linguistics Volunteer of the Year 2024, in celebration of Canadian National Volunteer Week. -
April 08, 2024
Linguistics news from around the globe: Hot topic links
A roundup of all the latest world news headlines in linguistics, including entries from The Conversation, Nature, The Independent, and The Guardian. -
April 02, 2024
World Autism Awareness Day: Moving from Surviving to Thriving
Ever since the United Nations General Assembly designated April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in 2007, the United Nations has observed the day as a means to affirm and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for autistic people on an equal basis with others.
Undergraduate Advising
Email the Advisor at lingadv@sfu.ca for program information, course planning, program declarations, graduation checks, and other academic advising.
Please be sure to include a copy of your Advising Transcript (in term and subject order)
Advising Appointments will be conducted by phone, Zoom, or in person by appointment.
Please email the advisor to arrange an appointment.