Linguistics
Linguistics: Introduction
Faculty Affiliation
Arts and Science
Degree Programs
Linguistics
MA and PhD
- Fields:
- Language Variation;
- Psycholinguistics;
- Theoretical Linguistics
Collaborative Specializations
The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:
- Jewish Studies
- Linguistics, PhD
- Sexual Diversity Studies
- Linguistics, MA, PhD
Overview
The discipline of linguistics focuses on the nature of human language and how its many systems can be accounted for. The Department of Linguistics focuses on three major areas — theoretical linguistics, language variation and change, and psycholinguistics — with an emphasis on the intersections between these areas.
The core areas of research and teaching in the MA and PhD are:
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Theoretical Linguistics (generative grammar: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics)
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Language Variation (sociolinguistics, dialectology, language variation, language change)
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Psycholinguistics (comprehension and production, language acquisition, both in relation to linguistic theory)
Contact and Address
Web: www.linguistics.utoronto.ca
Email: linguistics@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-4029
Fax: (416) 971-2688
Department of Linguistics
University of Toronto
Sidney Smith Hall
4th Floor, 100 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3
Canada
Linguistics: Graduate Faculty
Full Members
Members Emeriti
Associate Members
Linguistics: Linguistics MA
Master of Arts
Program Description
The MA program in Linguistics offers comprehensive training in three areas of strength: theoretical linguistics, language variation and change, and psycholinguistics. Students complete rigorous coursework with research training in their preferred area of study. By the time of graduation, students are equipped with professional-level skills in interpretation of data, analysis, and argumentation.
The department offers one- and two-year MA options. The majority of students are admitted to the one-year MA program.
MA Program (One-Year Advanced-Standing Option — Standard Admission)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Linguistics' additional admission requirements stated below.
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Applicants with a bachelor's degree, with a minimum B+ average, may be admitted to the one-year program. Admission requires a strong background in linguistics with at least courses in introductory phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax.
Program Requirements
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Coursework. Students must normally complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including
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1.5 FCEs: JAL 1145H, LIN 1121H, and LIN 1131H or their equivalents, if not already taken
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1.5 FCEs from other Linguistics course offerings determined by the Graduate Coordinator
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1.0 FCE: LIN 2100Y Linguistic Forum including regular class meetings in which students discuss and present their research topics and a final paper, completed under the supervision of a faculty member working in the same research area.
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All students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English. The choice of language must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, having regard to the student's field of research. In some circumstances, demonstrated competence in computer programming may satisfy the requirement.
Program Length
3 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)
Time Limit
3 years
MA Program (Two-Year)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Linguistics' additional admission requirements stated below.
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Applicants with a bachelor's degree, with a minimum B+ average, may be admitted to the two-year MA program. Admission is offered to rare instances to exceptional applicants whose background in linguistics is limited.
Program Requirements
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Coursework. Students must normally complete 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including
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in Year 1: 4.0 FCEs in phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax if not completed during the student’s undergraduate degree;
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in Year 2: 4.0 FCEs as follows:
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2.0 FCEs: JAL 1145H, LIN 1103H, LIN 1121H, LIN 1131H, or their equivalents, if not already taken
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1.0 FCE from other Linguistics course offerings as determined by the Graduate Coordinator
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1.0 FCE: LIN 2100Y Linguistic Forum including regular class meetings in which students discuss and present their research topics and a final paper, completed under the supervision of a faculty member working in the same research area.
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All students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English. The choice of language must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, having regard to the student's field of research. In some circumstances, demonstrated competence in computer programming may satisfy the requirement.
Program Length
6 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)
Time Limit
3 years full-time
Linguistics: Linguistics PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The PhD program in Linguistics offers comprehensive and rigorous training in an environment that encourages collaboration across the fields of Theoretical Linguistics, Language Variation and Change, and Psycholinguistics. Students achieve an advanced understanding of language and are equipped with professional-level skills in analysis, argumentation, interpretation, and quantitative reasoning. While many graduates choose academic positions, many others choose to pursue careers in fields such as education, publishing, and data science.
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Linguistics' additional admission requirements stated below.
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University of Toronto MA in Linguistics, or its equivalent, with at least an A– average.
Program Requirements
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Coursework. By the end of Year 2, students must complete 5.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) with a minimum median grade of A–:
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3.0 FCEs or their equivalents must be completed if they have not been taken previously: JAL 1145H, LIN 1103H, LIN 1104H, LIN 1121H, LIN 1131H, LIN 1145H
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If these have been previously taken, a balance of electives must be taken to fulfil the 3.0 FCE requirement, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator
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0.5 FCE from JLP 2451H, JLP 2452H, LIN 1070H, LIN 1106H, LIN 1112H, LIN 1156H, LIN 1211H, LIN 1256H, LIN 1276H
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0.5 elective FCE, which may be taken outside the Department of Linguistics, upon consultation with the Graduate Coordinator
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Of the above courses, 1.0 FCE must be taken at the 1200 level, with 0.5 FCE in Phonology, Syntax, or Semantics
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0.5 FCE: LIN 2101H, taken in Year 1
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1.0 FCE: LIN 2201H and LIN 2202H: the completion of Generals Papers in two areas of study (at least one of which must be in an area of linguistic theory). Topics must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
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Residency. During Years 1 and 2, students are normally required to be on campus full-time; i.e., in such geographical proximity as to be able to visit the campus regularly and to participate fully in the department's activities associated with the program.
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Language. Students must demonstrate an ability to read professionally in one language other than English. The choice of language must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, having regard to the student's field of research. In some circumstances, demonstrated competence in computer programming may satisfy the requirement.
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Thesis. Candidates are required to present a thesis, which must be an original contribution to linguistic knowledge. Both the preparation for and the writing of the thesis will be carried out under the supervision of members of the department.
Program Length
4 years full-time
Time Limit
6 years full-time
Linguistics: Linguistics MA, PhD Courses
Course descriptions and other information are available each spring from the Coordinator of Graduate Studies. Not all courses are offered in a given year. Students should consult the departmental website.
JAL 1140H
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Special Topics in Anthropology and Linguistics
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JAL 1145H
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Field Methods
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JAL 1153H
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Conversational Structures
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JAL 1155H
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Language and Gender
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JLP 2450H
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Psycholinguistics
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JLP 2451H
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Language Acquisition
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JLP 2452H
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Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory
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LIN 1001H
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Introduction to Linguistics: Sound Structure
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LIN 1002H
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Introduction to Linguistics: Sentence Structure and Meaning
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LIN 1028H
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Phonetics
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LIN 1029H
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Sound Patterns in Language
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LIN 1031H
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Morphological Patterns in Language
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LIN 1032H
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Syntactic Patterns
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LIN 1041H
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Introduction to Semantics
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LIN 1070H | Language Processing |
LIN 1103H | Introduction to Analysis and Argumentation |
LIN 1104H | Quantitative Methods in Linguistics (Credit/No Credit) |
LIN 1105H
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Advanced Quantitative Methods in Linguistics
(prerequisite: LIN 1104H) |
LIN 1106H | Introduction to Experimental Design |
LIN 1107H | Computational Methods in Linguistics (exclusions: CSC 2501H/485 Computational Linguistics and CSC 2511H/401 Natural Language Computing) |
LIN 1111H | Acoustic Phonetics |
LIN 1112H | Phonetic Analysis |
LIN 1121H
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Phonological Theory
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LIN 1131H
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Introduction to Syntactic Theory
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LIN 1133H
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Morphology: Morphosyntactic Issues
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LIN 1145H
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Semantics
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LIN 1146H
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Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics
(prerequisite: LIN 1145H) |
LIN 1151H
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Urban Dialectology
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LIN 1156H
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Language Variation and Change: Theory and Analysis
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LIN 1162H
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Comparative-Historical Linguistics I
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LIN 1211H
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Advanced Phonetics
(prerequisite: LIN 228H, LIN 323H, or permission of the instructor) |
LIN 1221H
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Advanced Phonology I
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LIN 1222H
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Advanced Phonology II
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LIN 1223H
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Advanced Phonology III
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LIN 1224H
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Advanced Phonology IV
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LIN 1231H
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Advanced Syntax I
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LIN 1232H
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Advanced Syntax II
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LIN 1233H
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Advanced Syntax III
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LIN 1234H
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Advanced Syntax IV
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LIN 1245H
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Advanced Semantics I
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LIN 1246H
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Advanced Semantics II
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LIN 1247H
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Advanced Semantics III
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LIN 1248H
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Advanced Semantics IV
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LIN 1255H | Advanced Language Variation and Change I |
LIN 1256H | Advanced Language Variation and Change II |
LIN 1271H | Advanced Psycholinguistics I |
LIN 1272H | Advanced Psycholinguistics II |
LIN 1276H | Topics in Speech Perception |
LIN 1503H
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Reading Seminar
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LIN 1505H
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Research Seminar
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LIN 2100Y | Linguistic Forum |
LIN 2101H
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Junior Forum (Credit/No Credit)
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LIN 2201H
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Generals Paper I
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LIN 2202H
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Generals Paper II
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