MA in Linguistics: Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics
University of Groningen
Key Information
Campus location
Groningen, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,314 / per year *
Application deadline
01 May 2024
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* EU/EEA students: €2,314 | non-EU/EEA students: €16,000
Introduction
How is language constructed and which aspects can be distinguished and studied? How are these aspects realized in different language families and specific languages?
Specializations: The Human Language System (THLS) and Language Development and Variation (LDV).
Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics is a one-year Master's track of the MA Linguistics which is based on the strengths of the Groningen Linguistics sections (English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish). It gives students a broad and attractive, but coherent and cohesive, range of options, oriented along with the following approaches:
- Empirical investigation of the structure of the European languages, with a focus on synchronic and diachronic variation
- Theoretical study of syntax, semantics, morphology, and phonology/phonetics
- Use of a variety of data (native speaker intuitions, corpus data, language acquisition data) and methods
The track focuses on language with all its complexities. The main focus is on how to make sense of complex data in order to be able to study the structure, variation, change, and development of language, so as to obtain a better understanding of the human language faculty.
It covers the principal subfields of linguistic study (sound, structure, meaning), and offers plenty of opportunities for students to focus on a particular language or language family (working with specialists in different modern European languages) or to pursue their interests in general linguistics.
Why study this programme in Groningen?
- Intensive supervision by high-quality researchers in many different languages as well as in theoretical linguistics
- A challenging multidisciplinary approach
- Unique combination of theoretical and descriptive linguistics in a multi-lingual setting
- Area of study with excellent career opportunities, both in industry and academia
- Excellent preparation for a PhD
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
Courses
- Language Comparison (10 EC)
- Language Development (10 EC)
- Language Variation in Europe: Crossing Borders (10 EC)
- The Interpretation of Language (10 EC)
- The Structure of Language (10 EC)
- The Architecture of the Language System (5 EC)
- The Sound of Language (5 EC)
- Master's Thesis Linguistics (20 EC)
- Debates in Linguistics (5 EC)
In addition to the range of course units provided by this track itself, students can also follow Masterlanguage courses. Masterlanguage is a national programme that offers courses for students of i.a. German, English, French and Italian.
The courses are taught in the target language (except Greek and Latin) and are jointly organized by lecturers from Radboud University, the University of Groningen, Leiden University, Utrecht University, the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam.
Programme options
- Master's Honours Programme
- Master's placement (specialization)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
A Master's degree in Linguistics (Master's track Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics) is:
- a solid foundation for future teachers, editors, and communication experts.
- excellent preparation for a social career related to the areas of theoretical linguistics, descriptive linguistics, language development, speech technology, communication and computer linguistics
- a stepping stone to further study and training with a view to writing a successful PhD thesis.
Job examples
- Editor
- Communications expert
- Linguistics researcher