Glendon Campus

Linguistics, Language and Society

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Duration

—

Degrees Offered

BA, iBA, Major, Minor

Department

—

Language

Bilingual

Linguistics, Language and Society

A language dies about every two weeks. Make a positive change by taking on this threat to the world's linguistic heritage. In our close-knit multicultural and multilingual community, you'll examine the building blocks of languages, how they develop and change, how people learn them and the way regional accents differ. As you explore other fascinating language-based questions, you'll find lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge both inside and outside the classroom. In small classes, you'll have close contact with expert linguists and engage with a community passionate about languages. 

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Degree Overview

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Skills you'll learn

  • Appreciate language's complexity and structure at different levels, from sound to meaning.
  • Learn about the similarities and differences among language groups and dialects.
  • Understand Linguistics as a multidisciplinary field that emphasizes its societal role and impact.
  • Demonstrate ethical awareness and cultural sensitivity in linguistic analysis.
  • Develop advanced critical thinking about language to make insightful observations, formulate hypotheses, draw scientific conclusions, and contribute to linguistic research and its societal implications.

Career opportunities

As a Linguistics, Language and Society graduate, you will be well-prepared for a diverse range of influential roles. In addition to pursuing graduate studies, you can envision a variety of possible career paths. For some of these, you might want to obtain additional qualifications:

  • Speech-language pathologist
  • Audiologist
  • Interpreter and translator
  • Language teacher
  • Language specialist for law firms
  • Legal content writer/editor
  • Language policy analyst
  • Forensic document examiner
  • Mediation and arbitration specialist
  • Language access coordinator
  • Public policy analyst

The Linguistics, Language and Society program aspires to produce graduates who are not only equipped with the necessary skills but are also socially responsible. Our graduates are capable of navigating the complexities of language in a diverse and ever-changing world, recognizing the centrality of language to all aspects of human civilization.

Visit the Career Centre for more career options in Linguistics, Language and Society. 

Hands-on experiences

Apply the concepts and theories you're studying to real-world challenges. Engage in guided practical experiences in the classroom, workplace, community, and abroad.

Here are some opportunities for Linguistics, Language and Society students:

  • Discover linguistic diversity in Canada and in Toronto.
  • Focus on language endangerment.
  • Uncover the pivotal role language plays within the legal context.
  • Learn Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) through a video game.
  • Access a host of campus resources, including the Centre for Research on Language Contact, the Canadian Language Museum, the School of Translation, a French publishing house called Éditions du GREF, and computer-based language tools.

Courses & Curriculum

Throughout your degree, you'll find a curriculum that offers an in-depth and balanced approach to Linguistics. It ranges from core courses, such as Introduction to Linguistics (GL/LIN 1603) and Phonetics (GL/LIN 2711), to specialized courses that will immerse you in a comprehensive exploration of the intricate ways in which language intertwines with society, culture, and individual experiences.

You'll also find many opportunities for hands-on learning. For example, Anishinaabemowin Language and Culture(GL/LIN 2626) includes work with the Ojibway community of Toronto and a weekend wilderness adventure using the Ojibway language. Field Methods (GL/LIN 4215) has students working face-to-face with a speaker of an unfamiliar language to collect and analyze first-hand linguistic data. The course on Linguistic Diversity in Canada (GL/LIN 4611) allows students to gain hands-on experience with linguistic diversity within one of the country's most diverse cities.

Note: All students must begin with core courses. Starting in their second year, they can begin taking specialized courses. Additionally, the program offers a series of Glendon Core Curriculum (GCC) courses open to non-degree students.

View course timetables on York University's site

GL/LIN 1603 6.00 Introduction to Linguistics

General Education course: GL/SOSC 1603 6.00

Course Availability: Offered annually

Course Description: This course introduces the theory and technique of linguistics with illustrations mainly from English. Core areas of study will include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Other areas include pragmatics, discourse analysis and historical linguistics. Course credit exclusions: GL/EN 2570 3.00, AP/LING 1000 6.00, GL/EN 1605 6.00 (prior to Fall 2014), GL/EN 2605 6.00 (prior to Fall 2013). Language of Instruction: English

GL/LIN 2305 3.00 Grammatical Description

Course Availability: Offered annually

Course Description: This course introduces the student to the practice of describing the grammatical structures of a language. Students learn in detail about word classes, constituents and sentence structure, and relationships within and among clauses and how to identify and describe these grammatical elements. Prerequisite: GL/LIN/SOSC 1603 6.00. Language of Instruction: English

GL/LIN 2711 3.00 Phonetics

Course Availability: Offered annually

Course Description: This course introduces the field of general phonetics, the description and classification of sounds used in human languages. Focus is on articulation with some attention to acoustic phonetics. Practical work in the discrimination and transcription of speech sounds is included. Prerequisites: GL/LIN/SOSC 1603 6.00 or an equivalent introductory linguistics course or permission of the Program. Course credit exclusions: GL/FRAN/LIN 3621 3.00, AP/LING 2110 3.00, GL/LIN/EN 2611 3.00. Language of Instruction: English

GL/LIN 2713 3.00 Phonology

Course Availability: Offered annually

Course Description: This course studies the theoretical principles and practical techniques of phonological analysis. Data used are from a range of languages, including languages found among students in the class. Prerequisite: GL/LIN 2711 3.00 or an equivalent course or permission of the Program. Course credit exclusions: GL/LIN 2613 3.00, AP/LING 2120 3.00. Language of Instruction: English

GL/LIN 3206 3.00 Morphology

Course Availability: Offered annually

Course Description: Morphology is the study of word structure and the morphemes which are the constituents of words. In this course we investigate the typology of morphemes; the structural and semantic composition of words. Practical exercises come from a range of languages. Prerequisite: GL/LIN/SOSC 1603 6.00 or permission of the Program. Course credit exclusion: AP/LING 2130 3.00. Language of Instruction: English

GL/LIN 3305 3.00 Foundations of syntax 1

Course Availability: Offered annually

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the analysis of sentence structure within the framework of generative syntax. The focus is on the conceptual underpinnings of the Principles and Parameters model: syntactic categories, subcategorization, constituency, Binding Theory, X-bar Theory, Theta Theory. Prerequisite: GL/LIN/SOSC 1603 6.00 or an equivalent introductory linguistics course or permission of the Program. Language of Instruction: English

GL/LIN 3711 3.00 Semantics

Course Availability: Offered annually

Course Description: This course explores the multifaceted realm of "meaning," emphasizing key concepts including reference, lexical semantics, grammatical semantics, and pragmatics. Prerequisite: GL/LIN/SOSC 1603 6.00 or an equivalent introductory linguistics course or permission of the Program. Course credit exclusions: GL/LIN/EN 3611 3.00, GL/LIN 3622 3.00, AP/LING 3150 3.00. Language of Instruction: English

Specialized courses are offered on a rotating basis every two to three years. Please refer to the York University course website for specific offering dates.

GL/LIN 2010 3.00 Bilinguisme, plurilinguisme et contact en milieu urbain : une perspective sociolinguistique
GL/LIN 2315 3.00 Writing Systems and the Development of Written Language
GL/LIN 2505 6.00 Romanian Language: a linguistic introduction
GL/LIN 2507 6.00 Brazilian Portuguese Language: a linguistic introduction
GL/LIN 2515 6.00 A Journey into the World of the Italian Language
GL/LIN 2525 3.00 Le roumain, langue romane: le roumain comparé au français, l'italien, l'espagnol et le portugais
GL/LIN 2604 3.00 Variation in Language
GL/LIN 2604 3.00 Global Language Policy and Planning
GL/LIN 2622 3.00 Semiotics of Romanian Culture: A Linguistic Exploration
GL/LIN 2634 3.00 Language and Society
GL/LIN 2660 3.00 Language and Social Justice
GL/LIN 2665 3.00 Language and Environment
GL/LIN 3250 3.00 Historical and Comparative Linguistics
GL/LIN 3300 3.00 Les langues romanes: une introduction linguistique
GL/LIN 3425 3.00 Stylistics for the Law
GL/LIN 3616 3.00 Case Studies in Canada's Aboriginal Languages
GL/LIN 3619 3.00 Language Endangerment
GL/LIN 3627 3.00 African Language and Linguistics
GL/LIN 3668 3.00 Sociolinguistics 1
GL/LIN 3720 3.00 Pragmatics
GL/LIN 3820 3.00 Introduction to Language and the Law
GL/LIN 4100 3.00 Directed Reading
GL/LIN 4210 3.00 Gender and Discourse
GL/LIN 4215 3.00 Field Methods
GL/LIN 4217 3.00 Documentary Linguistics
GL/LIN 4305 3.00 Foundations of syntax 2
GL/LIN 4405 3.00 Varieties of Romance: The Minority Romance Languages of Switzerland, Italy, Istria, and Dalmatia
GL/LIN 4410 3.00 Varieties of Romance: Studies on Regional Romance Languages and Romance-Lexified Creoles
GL/LIN 4435 3.00 Forensic Linguistics
GL/LIN 4558 3.00 Lexicology and Lexicography
GL/LIN 4570 3.00 Morphosyntax from a functional-typological perspective
GL/LIN 4606 6.00 History of the English Language
GL/LIN 4610 3.00 Studies in Canadian English
GL/LIN 4611 3.00 Linguistic Diversity in Canada
GL/LIN 4625 3.00 Language, Identity, and Power
GL/LIN 4626 3.00 Linguistic Diversity and Revitalization
GL/LIN 4668 3.00 Sociolinguistics 2
GL/LIN 4705 3.00 Linguistic Theory
GL/LIN 4707 3.00 Functional Linguistics
GL/LIN 4708 3.00 Discourse Analysis
GL/LIN 4709 3.00 Advanced Phonetics and Phonology
GL/LIN 4713 3.00 Children's Discourse
GL/LIN 4717 3.00 Language Policy and Language Planning
GL/LIN 4728 3.00 Critical Discourse Analysis

Please refer to the York Courses website for the course descriptions of the listed courses.

GL/LIN 4100 3.00 Directed Reading

Course description: In the final year of their BA, LIN students undertake independent reading and research guided by a Program faculty member. Language of Instruction: English / French / Spanish

Guidelines: Students applying for this course must be enrolled in the Linguistics program at Glendon and have a minimum overall grade of B+ in their LIN courses. Students may take a maximum of six credits as directed courses.

These courses are offered by other programs at Glendon but are cross-listed with Linguistics and count towards credits for Linguistics majors.

GL/HUMA/LIN 1622 6.00 Introductory Latin
GL/FRAN/LIN 2600 6.00 Intro à la linguistique générale & française
GL/HUMA/LIN 2636 3.00 Anishinaabemowin I
GL/HUMA/LIN 2638 3.00 Anishinaabemowin II
GL/PHIL/LIN 2640 6.00 Logic
GL/SP/LIN 3600 3.00 Spanish Linguistics
GL/FRAN/LIN 3612 3.00 Contact des langues et interférences
GL/FRAN/LIN 3615 3.00 Linguistique historique
GL/FRAN/LIN 3618 3.00 Introduction à la typologie des langues
GL/FRAN/LIN 3602 3.00 Introduction à la linguistique appliquée
GL/FRAN/LIN 3621 3.00 Phonétique/Phonologie du français moderne
GL/FRAN/LIN 3622 3.00 Sémantique
GL/FRAN/LIN 3652 3.00 Syntaxe (domaine du français)
GL/FRAN/LIN 3653 3.00 Morphologie (domaine du français)
GL/FRAN/LIN 3664 3.00 Introduction aux troubles du langage
GL/FRAN/LIN 3900 =3.00 Introduction à la sociolinguistique
GL/PHIL/LIN 3910 3.00 Philosophy of Language
GL/SP/LIN 4600 3.00 History of the Spanish Language
GL/SP/LIN 4601 3.00 History of the Spanish Language in America
GL/SP/LIN 4602 3.00 Latin American Spanish
GL/SP/LIN 4603 3.00 Contrasting Spanish with English
GL/SP/LIN 4604 3.00 Contrasting Spanish with French
GL/PHIL/LIN 4647 3.00 Topics in the Philosophy of Language
GL/FRAN/LIN 4651 6.00 Histoire de la langue française
GL/FRAN/LIN 4657 3.00 Sociolinguistique et les réalités de la francophonie
GL/FRAN/LIN 4658 3.00 Lexicologie/Lexicographie
GL/FRAN/LIN 4659 3.00 Structure et changement dans l'évolution du français
GL/FRAN/LIN 4660 3.00 L'analyse phonologique
GL/FRAN/LIN 4664 3.00 Analyse des troubles du langage
GL/FRAN/LIN 4665 3.00 Théories morphosyntaxiques et langue française
GL/FRAN/LIN 4670 3.00 Morphosyntaxe et de sémantique en perspective typologique
GL/SP/LIN 4694 3.00 Spanish as a Global Language
GL/EN/LIN 4695 3.00 English as a World Language

Please refer to the York Courses website for the course descriptions of the listed courses.

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent with an average* in the mid to high 70s  
  • Minimum of six 4U or 4M courses, including 4U English (ENG4U) or FRA4U  
  • A combination of U and M courses, OACs are accepted  
  • Proficiency in English OR French  

*Average is calculated based on the top six 4U; 4M or DU courses 

Check out the full requirements

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Meet Your Professors

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Bruce Connell

York Hall, C221

416-736-2100 x 88168

bconnell@yorku.ca

Jerzy Kowal

York Hall, 124

416-736-2100 x 88333

jkowal@glendon.yorku.ca

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Marcia Macaulay

York Hall C223

416-736-2100 x 88165

mmacaulay@glendon.yorku.ca

Kevin Reynolds

York Hall, 217

reynol15@yorku.ca

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