Overview

This programme at the University of Leeds looks at linguistics through the lens of the English language, building a thorough understanding of how humans use language to communicate. It combines grounding in the history and structure of English with the analytical tools of linguistic science, so students learn both what language is and how it functions in practice.

What You'll Learn

• The historical development, structure, and everyday use of English

• Core linguistic concepts such as phonetics, syntax, and how speech sounds are produced and organised into meaning

• Methods for conducting original language research, including fieldwork and data analysis

• Optional areas such as language acquisition, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, corpus linguistics, and discourse analysis

• The social functions of language, including topics like language and gender or the politics of language

• Specialist linguistic skills applied to spoken and written texts, including forensic linguistics and the language of the media

• Independent research culminating in a dissertation in either English or linguistics

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to describe and analyse the structure of English at the level of sound, grammar, and meaning. They will be equipped to apply linguistic theory to real-world language data, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Students will also be able to design and carry out independent research into language use, and to explain how language operates within social and communicative contexts with clarity and precision.