General linguistics is the scientific study of the nature of human language and the specific features of individual languages. Linguistics can open up many careers in fields such as media, PR, writing and research, as well as careers directly involving language. The undergraduate programme provides a good foundation for postgraduate study in a range of subjects.

Is the program for you??

• Are you interested in languages?

• Do you want to work with language, research or communication?

• Are you interested in syntax, comparing languages, or the way languages are used?

• Do you want to tackle diverse projects under the guidance of Iceland's leading linguists?

• Are you curious about language acquisition, developmental language disorders or the psychology of language?

• Do you want a diverse selection of courses that suit your interests?

• Do you want to open up future opportunities in challenging careers?

What is the study about?

General linguistics explores the nature of human language and the specific features of individual languages.

General linguistics students at the University of Iceland are trained in linguistic approaches and analysis and get an insight into new, interdisciplinary language research.

Course topics include:

• Language use in social interactions

• Syntax

• Phonetics and phonology

• Comparative Indo-European linguistics

• Childhood language acquisition

• Speech and language pathology

• The psychology and neurobiology of language

• The history of linguistics

The main topics in linguistics are syntax, meaning, phonetics, phonology, and morphology, but linguists may also study the psychology and neurobiology of language, how language is used in social interactions, sociolinguistics, language change and variation, comparative linguistics, the origins of language, language technology and related fields.

Objectives

The objective of the general linguistics programme is to provide students with a good foundation in the subject. Linguistics students at the University of Iceland should acquire:

• thorough knowledge of the main branches of linguistics

• understanding of individual specialisations, policies or topics, historical or contemporary

• insight into interdisciplinary language research

• training in linguistic approaches and analysis and the ability to discuss linguistics verbally and in writing

Teaching methods

Teaching methods in linguistics vary slightly depending on the nature of the course. Generally, courses are a mix of lectures, discussion periods and assignments.

Practical value

Linguistics is a subject that provides a good foundation for many careers involving language and communication in general, including writing, media and PR work, as well as careers directly dealing with language such as language technology, translation and speech pathology.

Linguistics can benefit language students who want to specialise in the language itself rather than literary scholarship.

Since language is a uniquely human phenomenon, linguistics is also relevant to a number of social sciences and other subjects, including psychology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, literature, artificial intelligence and computer science.

An education in linguistics can therefore be very useful for various other undergraduate or postgraduate degrees and can open up a wide range of careers in language and communication.

Programme options

This subject can also be taken as:

• A major for 120 ECTS: A two-year programme in general linguistics with a minor or another major in another subject.

• A minor for 60 ECTS: A one-year programme in general linguistics with a major in another subject.